Description
Crispy, golden hot honey chicken tenders served with ultra-creamy four cheese macaroni and cheese. A comforting and flavor-packed meal that brings heat, sweetness, crunch, and cheesy indulgence together in perfect harmony.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 pounds chicken tenders
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 large eggs
- 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/3 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 1.5 cups milk
Instructions
- Preheat Your Equipment: Heat oil in a deep skillet over medium heat to 350°F. Preheat oven to 200°F to keep tenders warm.
- Combine Ingredients: Whisk buttermilk and eggs in one bowl. In another, mix flour with garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne. Cook macaroni in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare Your Cooking Vessel: Line a baking sheet with paper towels and place a wire rack over it.
- Assemble the Dish: Dip chicken tenders in buttermilk mixture, dredge in seasoned flour, then repeat for double coating.
- Cook to Perfection: Fry tenders in batches for 4–5 minutes per side until golden and crispy. In a saucepan, melt cream cheese with milk, then stir in cheddar, mozzarella, and parmesan until smooth. Add macaroni and mix well.
- Finishing Touches: Warm honey and hot sauce together. Drizzle over chicken tenders before serving.
- Serve and Enjoy: Plate the tenders next to mac and cheese, garnish with parsley if desired, and enjoy immediately.
Notes
- Rest dredged chicken for 5 minutes before frying to prevent coating from falling off.
- Always shred your own cheese for smoother melting.
- Reheat mac with a splash of milk to restore creaminess.
- Keep fried tenders warm in the oven to retain crispiness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 720
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 37g
- Cholesterol: 145mg
Keywords: hot honey chicken tenders, mac and cheese, comfort food, four cheese macaroni, spicy honey chicken, crispy chicken recipe