Description
Air Fryer Cracker Barrel Chicken Tenderloins are juicy, flavorful, and easy to make. This healthier version of a restaurant favorite uses a simple marinade of Italian dressing, garlic, honey, and lime juice, with the air fryer creating a perfect crispy exterior while keeping the chicken moist on the inside.
Ingredients
Scale
- ½ cup Italian dressing
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 teaspoons lime juice, fresh squeezed
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 pound chicken tenderloins
Instructions
- Place the dressing, garlic, honey, lime juice, salt, and pepper into a large bowl, whisk until combined.
- Add the chicken tenderloins to the marinade and mix them in, so they are fully coated.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 1 hour to marinate.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray and arrange the tenders, ensuring they are not touching each other.
- Air fry for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through. Chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
- Let the chicken rest for a minute before serving.
Notes
- Do not marinate the chicken for more than 2 hours, as the lime juice can alter the texture of the chicken.
- Work in batches if your air fryer basket is small to avoid overcrowding, which could result in uneven cooking.
- Always check the internal temperature of the chicken to ensure it’s fully cooked.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 218 kcal
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 714mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 0.1g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 73mg