Today I wanted to share a recipe from one of my favorite restaurants, Cracker Barrel. When I get a chance to eat at Cracker Barrel it's always such a treat for me. Their menu has so many of my favorite country dishes that it's really hard for me to decide on what to order.
I found a Copy Kat recipe and I couldn't wait to try it. I was a bit skeptical when I stared the recipe.I added the tenderloins to the pan and there was so much liquid. I really didn't think it would cook down.
No worries though all of the liquid did cook down and it transformed into a ooey gooey glaze that was just to die for.
The only thing I did differently from the original recipe was increase the amounts of the dressing, lime and honey.
The 1/2 cup of dressing stated just didn't seem like enough for the amount of chicken. And the honey, well I just love honey!!!
This recipe was such a big hit that I am adding it to my menu again for next month. I served these yummy grilled tenders with mashed potatoes, but rice would be just as good. lets get started and I will show you how simple these are to make.
Cut each chicken breast into strips or just use tenderloins pieces. If using tenderloins cut and remove the white tendon off each end. {gross} In a bowl or large Ziploc bag add the dressing, lime juice and honey; mix to combine. Add the chicken and mix to coat all the pieces. Marinate in the refrigerator for 1 hour
Remove chicken from the refrigerator and add to a large skillet (marinade and chicken) Braise the tenders in a non-stick pan until golden brown in color and the liquid has turned into a yummy sticky glaze. Start the stove temperature at medium high to get things going. After it comes to a boil reduce the heat to low-medium and continue cooking. You just want them to simmer.At first it will look like there's a lot of liquid in the pan and there is, but don't worry because it will all cook down. Trust me on this one just be patient. You can see from the photos above how the liquid slowly starts to cook down and then poof it's gone. From start to finish it's about 40 - 45 minutes cooking time.
Cracker Barrel Grilled Chicken Tenderloins
Ingredients:
4 - 5 chicken breasts, cut into pieces or 12 chicken tenderloins
1 - 8 oz bottle Italian Dressing (1 cup)
2 - teaspoons fresh or bottled lime juice
4 - teaspoons honey
Directions:
Cut each chicken breast into strips or use tenderloins pieces. If using tenderloins cut and remove the white tendon off each end.
In a bowl that has a cover or large Ziploc bag add the dressing, lime juice and honey; mix to combine.
Add the chicken and mix to coat all the pieces. Marinate in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
Remove chicken from the refrigerator and add to a larger skillet (marinade and chicken).
Braise the tenders in a non-stick pan until golden brown in color, but not dry. Start the stove temperature at medium high to get things going.
After it comes to a boil reduce the heat to low-medium and continue cooking.
You just want them to simmer until all the liquid has cooked down.
You still want a bit of glaze left in the pan. When chicken is done remove and serve.
Cooking time: 40-45 min
adapted from: CopyKat Recipes
35 comments:
I voted on Babble.com. Good luck!
I found this recipe a few years ago and secretly think it's even better than the "original" at Cracker Barrel (hard to imagine, as that's my favorite meal there!). It's really good paired with the Pasta Roni angel hair pasta!!!
I originally found this on Southern Plate. Its sooo good, and I have used lemon juice. :)
Delicious grilled chicken, looks absolutely beautiful, I love, hugs. ROSITA
These look fantastic! I always worry about all that liquid, so your pictures helped me out! I think I might actaully make this! It's definetely getting printed out!
Saving this one to my favs! Yummo!!! Hope you are doing well!
i just made this last week. they are delicious!
this does look good there's never any glaze when I order the grilled tenders but they are soooo good & with this recipe you can actualy use tenders big enough to taste lol
Helen
Charleesmommy, I think these are better than the original myself. There is so much more glaze and they really take on a pretty color. Victoria I saw them on Southern Plate as well. Christy loves CB just as much as I do.
what temperature do you cook these at? You say "braise" but that is what you do to a roast, or tough cut of meat before finishing the cooking in liquid, so I'm confused. Please help, ASAP!
I found this recipe several years ago, it's my go to chicken recipe. So good and easy, we love it.
The original recipe did not state the stove temperature so I added it to the recipe. You want to start at medium high until everything comes to a boil. Then reduce the temperature to low-med and continue cooking. You just want them to simmer the whole time. Keep and eye on them every so often so you can turn them and mix a bit.
Oh yum! I love Cracker Barrel but we don't have any in Canada so whenever we visit the States we make sure we hit as many Cracker Barrels as possible, lol. These look terrific and I can't believe how easy. Thanks!
this look so yummy i think im trying it tmrw, i love cooking and try new thing and this sounds amazing i hope u can follow me back
Ok, I just want to be clear. You only add the chicken to the pan to cook, right? Or do you include the marinade too?
I just made this and it was really delicous. I had to tweak it a bit because I didn't have the exact ingredients but it still came out great. I used balsamic viniagrette and agave in place of the italian dressing and honey. My whole family loved it. I will be posting it on my blog this week fpr my readers to enjoy too and of course linking back to your blog. Thank you for the recipe!
Ellen
http://everydaysisters.blogspot.com
I'm glad you added temperatures and pictures for cooking novices. I'm making them right now and was worried that mine don't look anything like they should. Then I took a look at the picture again and am right on track. I can't wait to see how they turn out.
I made these a few weeks ago and I LOVED them. I'm a busy college student so easy recipes are always a plus. I'm making it again tonight. I did add a little more honey than called for, but it still turned out great.
Do you pour the marinate in the skillet,or just get the chicken out. Help
You add the marinade and the chicken because the marinade cooks down. I added a note to the recipe to make it more clear.
Hi! This recipe looks great. I am wondering what brand of italian dressing you used?
I use Kraft Zesty Italian Dressing. Wish Bone is good too, but dont use store brand because I did and they didn't turn out as good. In fact they were kind of dry.
I have absolutely try to cook that!!!! thank you for this recipe!!!from Italy!!!
YUMMY! Made this tonight for dinner. Didn't have Italian dressing, so I had to improvise and use Balsamic Vinegar dressing instead. Worked great! My family loved it.
I worked at CB as a teen. They actually marinade the chicken in apple cider vinegar. I had to memorize ingredients to earn stars on my apron. :)
I'm glad you said to cut that icky part off the tenderloins. Somebody needs to tell Cracker Barrell!!!!
Eww is right. I can't stand those White parts that stick out of the tendersoins. Yuck!
Hi Tina, I follow your blog all of the time and love, love, love all of your recipes. My tenders turned out a little bit dry after letting them cook for 45 min. Is there a trick to juicier tenders after such a long cooking time? The glaze was delish, just didn't like how dry the chicken turned out. Thanks and I love your blog!
Everyones stove is different, so just don't cook them as long. If you see that the chicken is fully cooked and there is a good amount of glaze in the pan then stop at that point.
This recipe looks delicious! I have it marinating in the fridge right now. I'm looking forward to trying it. :)
well i did something wrong, I got no caramelization or browning. What did I do wrong? Tasted pretty good, but it just didn't end up how I thought.
I am going to try this soon it sounds and looks delicious. My only question is why do you call them grilled tenders when you aren't using a grill?
Anonymous, for two reasons. One because they looked grilled without the use of a grill. And two because it is the Copy Cat Recipe for Crackers Barrels Grilled Chicken Tenderloins. Hope this answers your question.
YUMMI!! Am so glad I found his site. You have been so helpful! I made this for dinner the other night, and due to just plain ole' laziness, didn't feel like cutting into tenderloins, so after marinating all day, I placed my chicken breasts into my skillet and followed directions, just cooking slightly longer. Can't wit to try more recipes. My mom taught me to use recipes as a "base" then, get creative. My boys are enjoying being my "test subjects"!!! Since becoming a stay at home mom (I prefer domestic goddess hee, hee!) experimenting with recipes has given me something to be proud of and that I was able to accomplish; that is, when they turn out LOL! I love reading other peoples suggestions as well!!
I made this tonight and my kiddos raved about it. Thanks for another wonderful recipe.
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