cheese mac & cheese honey chicken tenders

Certainly! Here’s a tasty recipe for mac and cheese with honey-glazed chicken tenders:

Ingredients:

For Mac and Cheese:

• 8 ounces (about 2 cups) elbow macaroni or your favorite pasta
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 3 cups milk (whole or 2% recommended)
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon mustard powder (optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika (optional)
• Chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

For Honey Glazed Chicken Tenders:

• 1 pound chicken tenders
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1 cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
• Cooking spray
• 1/2 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

Instructions:

For Mac and Cheese:

1. Cook Pasta:
   • Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. Make Cheese Sauce:
   • In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to make a roux.
   • Gradually whisk in the milk to avoid lumps. Cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens.
3. Add Cheese and Seasonings:
   • Reduce the heat to low and add the shredded cheddar and grated Parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
   • Add salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, mustard powder, and paprika. Adjust the seasonings to taste.
4. Combine Pasta and Cheese Sauce:
   • Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce, stirring until the pasta is well coated in the creamy sauce.
5. Keep Warm:
   • Keep the mac and cheese warm on low heat while preparing the honey-glazed chicken tenders.

For Honey Glazed Chicken Tenders:

1. Preheat Oven:
   • Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Season Chicken Tenders:
   • Season the chicken tenders with salt and black pepper.
3. Coat in Flour, Eggs, and Breadcrumbs:
   • Dredge each chicken tender in the flour, dip into the beaten eggs, and coat with breadcrumbs. Place them on the prepared baking sheet.
4. Bake Chicken Tenders:
   • Spray the chicken tenders with cooking spray. Bake in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
5. Prepare Honey Glaze:
   • In a small saucepan, combine honey, soy sauce, and Dijon mustard. Heat over medium heat until the mixture is well combined and slightly thickened.
6. Glaze Chicken Tenders:
   • Brush the honey glaze over the baked chicken tenders.
7. Serve:
   • Serve the honey-glazed chicken tenders over the mac and cheese. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.

This combination of mac and cheese with honey-glazed chicken tenders creates a delicious and comforting meal. Enjoy!