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Hot Honey Chicken Tenders with Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe

Hot Honey Chicken Tenders with Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe
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4.8 from 8 reviews

This Hot Honey Chicken Tenders with Baked Mac and Cheese recipe combines crispy, spicy-sweet chicken tenders with a creamy, cheesy baked macaroni dish, making a perfect comforting meal that’s both kid-friendly and deliciously satisfying.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Hot Honey Tenders:

  • 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

For the Baked Mac and Cheese:

  • 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

Instructions

  1. Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken tenders in a bowl and cover with buttermilk. Refrigerate and marinate for at least 30 minutes to tenderize and add moisture.
  2. Prepare the Coating: In a separate bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to create a seasoned flour mixture.
  3. Dredge the Chicken: Remove the tenders from the buttermilk, letting excess drip off, then coat each tender thoroughly in the seasoned flour mixture ensuring even coverage.
  4. Fry the Tenders: Heat oil in a deep skillet or fryer to 350°F (175°C). Fry the coated chicken tenders in batches until golden brown and cooked through, about 4-6 minutes. Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
  5. Make the Hot Honey Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together honey, hot sauce, and melted butter until fully combined.
  6. Glaze the Tenders: While the chicken is still hot, brush each tender generously with the hot honey glaze to create a spicy-sweet coating.
  7. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for the baked mac and cheese.
  8. Make Roux Base: In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for about 1-2 minutes to form a roux, which will thicken the sauce.
  9. Add Milk and Thicken: Gradually whisk in milk, continuing to whisk constantly until the mixture thickens and becomes creamy, approximately 5-7 minutes.
  10. Add Cheeses and Seasonings: Remove from heat and stir in shredded cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder until the cheese melts smoothly into the sauce.
  11. Combine Pasta and Cheese Sauce: Toss the cooked and drained elbow macaroni in the cheese sauce until fully coated. Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish.
  12. Bake the Mac and Cheese: Sprinkle additional shredded cheese over the top for a golden crust. Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown on top.
  13. Serve and Enjoy: Plate the hot honey chicken tenders alongside the creamy baked mac and cheese for a delicious, comforting meal.

Notes

  • For extra crispy chicken, double dredge by dipping back into buttermilk then flour mixture again before frying.
  • Adjust hot sauce quantity in the glaze to control the spiciness level according to your taste.
  • The baked mac and cheese can be prepared ahead of time and baked just before serving.
  • To make this recipe gluten-free, use gluten-free flour and pasta substitutes.
  • Use full-fat cheese and whole milk for the creamiest mac and cheese texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: hot honey chicken tenders, baked mac and cheese, crispy chicken tenders, comfort food, spicy sweet chicken, cheesy macaroni

Find it online: https://tastybynova.com/hot-honey-chicken-tenders-with-baked-mac-and-cheese-recipe/