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Hot Honey Chicken Tenders

Hot Honey Chicken Tenders: 30 Min Magic

  • Author: Mason Carter
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Frying and Baking
  • Cuisine: Southern
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Learn how to make irresistible Hot Honey Chicken Tenders paired with creamy Baked Mac and Cheese. This recipe offers a perfect balance of sweet and spicy flavors with a satisfying crunch.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb Chicken Tenders
  • 1 cup Buttermilk
  • 1 cup All-Purpose Flour
  • 1 tbsp Paprika
  • 1 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1 tsp Black Pepper
  • 2 cups Oil (for frying)
  • 1/2 cup Honey
  • 1 tbsp Hot Sauce
  • 2 tbsp Butter (melted)
  • 8 oz Elbow Macaroni
  • 1 cup Cheddar Cheese
  • 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese
  • 1 cup Milk
  • 1/2 cup Bread Crumbs (optional)

Instructions

  1. Marinate Chicken: Soak chicken tenders in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes.
  2. Prepare Coating: Combine flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl.
  3. Dredge Chicken: Coat each chicken tender in the seasoned flour mixture, ensuring full coverage.
  4. Fry Chicken: Heat oil in a deep skillet to 350°F (175°C). Fry tenders until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
  5. Prepare Hot Honey Glaze: In a bowl, mix honey, hot sauce, and melted butter until well combined.
  6. Brush the glaze generously over the fried chicken tenders.
  7. Make Mac and Cheese Sauce: In a saucepan, melt butter and whisk in flour, followed by milk. Cook until thickened. Stir in cheddar and mozzarella cheeses until smooth.
  8. Combine with Pasta: Toss cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce. Transfer to a greased baking dish. Add extra cheese or breadcrumbs on top if desired.
  9. Bake: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake the mac and cheese for about 20 minutes, or until golden and bubbly.

Notes

  • Adjust spice levels and cheese types to your preference.
  • For extra crispiness on the mac and cheese, use the optional breadcrumbs.
  • Store leftovers separately to maintain the crispiness of the chicken tenders.
  • Experiment with different pasta shapes for the mac and cheese.
  • Consider adding cooked vegetables like broccoli or spinach to the mac and cheese for added nutrition.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 800 kcal
  • Sugar: 15 g
  • Sodium: 1200 mg
  • Fat: 35 g
  • Saturated Fat: 15 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 70 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 50 g
  • Cholesterol: 150 mg

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