Description
Experience the perfect blend of comfort and flavor with Hot Honey Chicken Tenders paired with Baked Mac and Cheese. This dish showcases crispy, golden chicken tenders, beautifully glazed with a sweet and spicy hot honey sauce, alongside rich, creamy macaroni and cheese that will evoke nostalgia with every bite. Whether you’re hosting a family dinner or enjoying a cozy night in, this meal is sure to impress both kids and adults alike. With its delightful combination of textures—crunchy tenders and smooth pasta—this recipe is not only easy to follow but also incredibly satisfying. Get ready to serve up a plate that’s bursting with flavor!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound chicken tenders
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Oil, for frying
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
- 2 cups elbow macaroni, cooked and drained
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
Instructions
- Marinate chicken tenders in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes.
- Mix flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
- Dredge marinated chicken in the flour mixture until well coated.
- Heat oil in a skillet to 350°F (175°C) and fry the tenders until golden brown.
- Prepare the hot honey glaze by mixing honey, hot sauce, and melted butter; brush over fried chicken.
- For the mac and cheese, melt butter in a saucepan, whisk in flour, add milk gradually until thickened; stir in cheeses until melted.
- Combine cooked macaroni with cheese sauce, transfer to a baking dish, top with additional cheese if desired, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 20 minutes.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Frying and Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (approximately 400g)
- Calories: 680
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 95mg