🍯 Honey Chipotle Chicken Tenders over Creamy Mac ‘n’ Cheese 🌶️🧀
Indulge in a plate of sweet and spicy Honey Chipotle Chicken Tenders served atop a bed of ultra-creamy Mac ‘n’ Cheese. This dish is a perfect blend of comfort and flair, bringing together tender chicken, a zesty sauce, and soothing, cheesy pasta.
Ingredients:
For the Chicken Tenders:
1 lb chicken tenders
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Oil for frying
For the Honey Chipotle Sauce:
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, finely chopped
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
For the Mac ‘n’ Cheese:
2 cups macaroni pasta
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Marinate Chicken:
In a bowl, mix buttermilk with salt and pepper. Soak the chicken tenders in the mixture for at least 30 minutes.
Prepare Mac ‘n’ Cheese:
Cook macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk and bring to a simmer.
Add shredded cheese and stir until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
Combine the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce. Keep warm.
Fry Chicken:
Heat oil in a frying pan.
Mix flour, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Dredge marinated chicken tenders in the flour mixture.
Fry chicken until golden and cooked through, about 3-4 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.
Make Honey Chipotle Sauce:
In a small pot, combine honey, chopped chipotle peppers, vinegar, and soy sauce. Simmer for about 5 minutes until thickened.
Assemble the Dish:
Toss the fried chicken tenders in the honey chipotle sauce.
Serve the sauced tenders over the creamy Mac ‘n’ Cheese. Garnish with chopped green onions or parsley if desired.
