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Hot Honey Chicken Tenders with Mac & Cheese
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Hot Honey Chicken Tenders with Mac & Cheese

1 h 30 minServes 4Nutri-Score D€€
from @sweeteatsbyj2 imports0 cooked
Adapt this recipe

what you need

Ingredients

4 people
  • chicken tendersMeat9 pieces
  • buttermilk (divided: 240 ml for the marinade, 240 ml for the milk coating)Dairy480 ml
  • hot sauce (divided: 15 ml for the marinade, 30 ml for the milk coating, 15 ml for the glaze)Pantry60 ml
  • salt (1 tsp for the marinade, 1 tsp for the flour mix, 1 tsp for the milk coating, 1 tsp for the mac & cheese sauce)Spices4 pieces
  • black pepper (1 tsp for the marinade, 1 tsp for the flour mix, 1 tsp for the milk coating, 1 tsp for the mac & cheese sauce)Spices4 pieces
  • garlic powder (1 tsp for the marinade, 1 tsp for the flour mix, 1 tsp for the mac & cheese sauce)Spices3 pieces
  • onion powder (1 tsp for the marinade, 1 tsp for the flour mix, 1 tsp for the mac & cheese sauce)Spices3 pieces
  • cayenne powder (1 tsp for the marinade, 1 tsp for the flour mix)Spices2 pieces
  • flour (1 cup for the coating, 1 tbsp for the mac & cheese sauce)Pantry130 g
  • butter (divided: 55 g melted for the glaze, 30 g for the mac & cheese sauce)Dairy90 g
  • honeyPantry20 g
  • garlic (chopped)Produce5 pieces
  • heavy creamDairy480 ml
  • cream cheeseDairy60 g
  • paprika (1 tsp)Spices1 piece
  • pasta water (reserved from boiling the pasta)Other120 ml
  • elbow macaroni (boiled)Grains300 g
  • cheddar cheese (shredded)Dairy100 g
  • mozzarella (shredded)Dairy100 g
  • oil (for frying)Pantry500 ml

per serving

Nutrition

1,238kcal

Carbs
80 g
Proteins
44 g
Fat
83 g
Adapt tools

what you’ll use

Tools

  • Mixing bowl ×3
  • Frying pan
  • Saucepan
  • Baking dish
  • Stovetop
  • Oven
  • Tongs

step by step

Method

  1. Marinate the chicken

    • In a bowl, combine 240 ml buttermilk, 15 ml hot sauce, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder and 1 tsp cayenne powder.
    • Add the 8-10 chicken tenders and coat well in the marinade.
    Step 1

  2. Rest the chicken

    • Cover and refrigerate the marinated chicken.
    Step 2

  3. Prepare the flour coating

    • In a bowl, mix 1 cup flour with 1 tsp cayenne powder, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp garlic powder and 1 tsp onion powder.
    Step 3

  4. Prepare the milk coating

    • In another bowl, combine 240 ml buttermilk, 2 tbsp hot sauce, 1 tsp black pepper and 1 tsp salt.
    Step 4

  5. Coat the chicken

    • Coat each chicken tender in the flour mix, then in the milk coating, then back in the flour mix.
    Step 5

  6. Rest the coated chicken

    • Let the coated tenders rest so the coating sets.
    Step 6

  7. Fry the tenders

    • Fry the chicken tenders in hot oil until golden brown.
    Step 7

  8. Make the hot honey glaze

    • In a saucepan, combine 1/4 cup melted butter, 1 tbsp hot sauce and 1 tbsp honey.
    • Simmer on the stove.
    Step 8

  9. Glaze the tenders

    • Brush or toss the fried chicken tenders in the hot honey glaze.
    Step 9

  10. Start the mac & cheese sauce

    • Sauté 4-5 chopped garlic cloves in 2 tbsp butter.
    • Add 1 tbsp flour and stir.
    Step 10

  11. Build the cheese sauce

    • Add 2 cups heavy cream, 4 tbsp cream cheese, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, 2 tsp hot sauce and 1/2 cup pasta water.
    • Cook on low-medium heat.
    Step 11

  12. Add the cheeses and pasta

    • Stir in 1 cup cheddar cheese and 1 cup mozzarella (add more if you want).
    • Add the boiled elbow macaroni and mix well.
    Step 12

  13. Bake the mac & cheese

    • Transfer to a baking dish and bake until bubbly and golden.
    Step 13

  14. Serve

    • Serve the hot honey tenders with the mac & cheese.
    Step 14
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