This recipe for Air Fryer Cracker Barrel Chicken Tenderloins allows you to enjoy the delicious taste of Cracker Barrel’s famous chicken tenderloins from the comfort of your own home. Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, these chicken tenderloins are perfectly seasoned and cooked in the air fryer until golden. These chicken tenderloins, whether served as a main course, appetizer, or snack, are sure to please family and friends. Let’s get into the recipe and see how to make this popular restaurant dish at home.
Ingredients:
For the Chicken Marinade:
- 1 pound chicken tenderloins
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
For the Breading:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
For Cooking:
- Cooking spray or oil, for greasing the air fryer basket
Instructions:
1. Marinate the Chicken:
- In a large bowl, combine the buttermilk, salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix well.
- Add the chicken tenderloins to the marinade, ensuring they are fully submerged. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight for best results.
2. Prepare the Breading:
- In a shallow dish, combine the all-purpose flour, salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix well to evenly distribute the seasonings.
3. Bread the Chicken:
- Remove the marinated chicken tenderloins from the refrigerator and let them come to room temperature for about 10 minutes.
- Dredge each chicken tenderloin in the seasoned flour mixture, shaking off any excess.
4. Cook in the Air Fryer:
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3-5 minutes.
- Lightly grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray or oil.
- Place the breaded chicken tenderloins in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching each other.
- Cook the chicken tenderloins in the air fryer for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside and cooked through on the inside.
5. Serve Hot:
- Remove the cooked chicken tenderloins from the air fryer and transfer them to a serving platter.
- Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce, such as ranch dressing or honey mustard.
- Enjoy the crispy and flavorful Air Fryer Cracker Barrel Chicken Tenderloins as a delicious appetizer, snack, or main dish!
Tips:
- For an extra crispy coating, you can double-dip the chicken tenderloins in the seasoned flour mixture after the buttermilk marinade.
- Make sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket, as this can prevent the chicken tenderloins from cooking evenly and becoming crispy.
- Experiment with different seasonings in the breading mixture to customize the flavor of the chicken tenderloins to your liking.
Air Fryer Cracker Barrel Chicken Tenderloins are a delicious and simple dish that brings the flavors of the popular restaurant right into your kitchen. With their crispy coating and juicy interior, these chicken tenderloins are sure to please everyone. So turn on your air fryer, follow this simple recipe, and get ready to enjoy a delicious and satisfying meal fit for any occasion!