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Chicken Tenders Recipe – these chicken tenders are super easy to make and turn out super tender, juicy and so full of flavor! If you have had Cracker Barrel Chicken Tenders, you are going to love these!
When I was in high school Cracker Barrel was one of our go-to restaurants. And I always ordered the same thing….the chicken tenders!
I am pretty sure the reason I liked going there so much is because you got a Buttermilk Biscuit with just about everything you ordered. And I am a sucker for biscuits any time of day! Fast forward 20 years and I can’t remember the last time I was at a Cracker Barrel, but I can still make my favorite chicken tenders at home.
Chicken Tenders Recipe
This is such a simple dinner you can get on the table in just minutes any night of the week. It involves a simple marinade with just 4 ingredients and then you can cook the chicken pretty much however you want! I like to use a skillet, so they can be made all year round.
But you can use the oven, the grill, or even your air fryer to cook these in no time! Plus, you can make as much or as little as you want. The leftovers are great for lots of different recipes.
Chicken Tender Uses
You can always throw in salads or use in a sandwich for lunch the next day, or here are a few great ways to use grilled chicken tenders.
- Crunchy Southwest Chicken Wrap
- Chicken Salad with Grapes
- Avocado Chicken Salad
- Chinese Chicken Salad
- Honey Sesame Chicken Wrap
Chicken Tenders Ingredients
- Chicken Tenders
- Italian Dressing
- Lime Juice
- Honey
- Garlic
- Salt and Pepper
How To Make Chicken Tenders
- Start by mixing together the Italian dressing, lime juice, honey, garlic, salt and pepper in a large bowl or a plastic food storage bag.
- Add the chicken and toss everything together until it is well coated.
- Then you just let it sit. Marinate for at least 10 minutes, but the longer you let it sit the better. I like to set it sit in the fridge all day and then take it out to cook it for dinner that night.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard the marinade.
- Cook in a hot skillet or grill for about 6 minutes per side until the chicken is cooked through, and reaches an internal temperature of 165º F.
I use the Thermapen Mk4 to check the temperature of the meat throughout the cooking process. It is the most accurate thermometer I have found and have been using it for years!
Recipe Tips
- You can use any cut of chicken you want for this recipe. I really like to use chicken tenderloins because they cook so quickly. But you can use chicken breasts, you can use bone-in chicken or even chicken drumsticks. Just make sure the chicken is cooked through and it will taste amazing.
- Cook the chicken using any method you want. A large skillet over medium high heat works great, or you can grill it, bake it in the oven, or even cook it in the air fryer. It doesn’t matter, just do want you know and are comfortable with.
- Don’t over cook the chicken tenders. This is the number one thing that happens and people thing chicken is dry and not a good meat. Use a thermometer to know when the chicken is done. As soon as it reaches 165º F it is done. Remove it from the heat and serve it immediately. Cooking further will just dry out the chicken.
Got Leftovers?
Store the chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
What To Serve With Chicken Tenders
- Grilled Potato Packs
- Corn Fritters
- Air Fryer Asparagus
- Broccoli Rice Casserole
- Green Beans with Bacon
This Chicken Tenders Recipe is such and easy one you can make even on your busiest night. I love that you can prep it in the morning with the marinade, and then just spend 15 minutes cooking it when it is time for dinner.
It is even something the kids can help with! If your kids are old enough, they can measure the 4 ingredients for the marinade and get it in the fridge after school. Such an easy recipe the whole family will love!
More Easy Dinner Recipes
Chicken Tenders Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds chicken breast tenderloins
- 1 cup Zesty Italian Dressing
- 1/4 cup honey
- 3 Tablespoons lime juice
- 1 Tablespoons minced garlic
- Salt and Pepper
Instructions
- In a large bowl or a gallon sized plastic food storage bag combine zesty Italian dressing, honey, lime juice, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Add chicken tenders and mix together to coat evenly with marinade.
- Let chicken marinade for at least 10 minutes or put in the fridge for 8-10 hours.
- Remove chicken from the bag and discard the marinade.
- Heat a large well-seasoned cast iron skillet or a large non-stick skillet on medium high.
- Add the chicken to the hot pan and cook for 6-8 minutes per side or until chicken
is cooked through and has reached an internal temperature of 165º F.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Hi,
This recipe looks amazing. I have a question. I just had knee surgery and I can’t stand very long. Do you think that using this marinade that I could bake these in the oven and have success? I love your recipes and all the beautiful pictures that make everything look so appetizing. Any help you could give on this recipe would be so helpful.
Thank you! Yep, you could definitely bake them. They won’t be exactly the same, but will still have good flavor from the marinade, so it is worth doing if you can’t stand long.
Thanks so much for your reply. I will bake them and next time when I can stand up for more than 5 minutes at a time I will make the recipe as intended. This just sounds so good I can’t wait!
I know a few people who would absolutely love this!
These Chicken Tenders would make my kids very happy! Can’t wait to try these out!
LOVE these Chicken Tenders! They sound incredibly delicious!
These are so crunchy. My kids adore them!
I love the chicken tenders from Cracker Barrel so this is a must try. They look mouthwatering good!
I make chicken very often. My family will love this recipe!
Not sure if anyone else questioned this or not but under the ingredients you call for lime juice but in the directions you say lemon. I didn’t notice the difference until I’d already added my lime juice. It was very good, actually excellent, I cooked it on my Blackstone flat top grill outside! I could, however, taste the lime. Will lemon juice change up that flavor?
It just be lime, I am not sure how I typed it wrong, but I will get it corrected. Both would be good, just a little different!
How long do I cook them in the air fryer?
Easy to make and my family loved it. Got many compliments and even some the next day. Going to make this again and again. Yum