Hot Honey Chicken Tenders with Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe
Crispy, juicy hot honey chicken tenders served with creamy, cheesy baked mac and cheese make for a comforting and flavorful meal that combines sweet, spicy, and savory tastes.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying, Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
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
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Oil, for frying
- ¼ 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
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Marinate Chicken: Marinate chicken tenders in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes or overnight for deeper flavor and tenderness.
- Prepare Flour Mixture: In a bowl, combine flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper thoroughly.
- Dredge Tenders: Coat the chicken tenders in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess to ensure an even, light coating.
- Fry Chicken: Heat oil to 350°F and fry chicken tenders until golden brown and cooked through, approximately 4-6 minutes. Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Make Hot Honey Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together honey, hot sauce, and melted butter. While the chicken is still hot, brush the glaze over the tenders for a sweet and spicy finish.
- Preheat Oven: Set oven to 375°F (190°C) in preparation for baking the mac and cheese.
- Make Roux: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and whisk in flour until smooth and bubbly to create a roux base for the cheese sauce.
- Add Milk: Gradually whisk in milk until the mixture is smooth and starts to thicken, about 3-5 minutes.
- Incorporate Cheese and Season: Stir in shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses until melted. Add salt, black pepper, and garlic powder, stirring to combine evenly.
- Combine Macaroni and Sauce: Toss cooked elbow macaroni with the cheese sauce, ensuring pasta is well coated.
- Bake: Transfer macaroni and cheese to a greased baking dish, sprinkle with additional cheese if desired, and bake for 20 minutes until golden and bubbly.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken tenders overnight enhances flavor and tenderness.
- Adjust the amount of hot sauce in the glaze to control the heat level.
- You can substitute the cheddar and mozzarella with other cheeses like gouda or pepper jack for a different flavor profile.
- Use a thermometer to maintain oil temperature at 350°F for perfect frying.
- For a crispier coating, double-dredge the tenders by dipping again in buttermilk and flour mixture before frying.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 720 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 740 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 75 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: hot honey chicken tenders, baked mac and cheese, spicy chicken recipe, comfort food, easy dinner, kid-friendly meal
