Sweet and Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken with Creamy Mac and Cheese

Directions:

1. Prepare the Chicken: In one bowl, mix flour, salt, and pepper. In another bowl, beat the eggs. In a third bowl, place the breadcrumbs. Dredge each chicken tender in the flour, dip in eggs, then coat with breadcrumbs.
2. Fry the Chicken: Heat 1 inch of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry chicken 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp 165°F/74°C). Drain on paper towels.
3. Make the Honey Pepper Sauce: In a small saucepan, combine honey, soy sauce, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, and apple cider vinegar. Simmer over medium heat. If thicker sauce is desired, stir in cornstarch slurry and cook until thickened. Toss fried chicken in sauce until fully coated.
4. Cook the Macaroni: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
5. Make the Cheese Sauce: In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook 1–2 minutes to form a roux. Gradually whisk in warm milk until thickened. Reduce heat to low and stir in cheddar and mozzarella until melted. Season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix cooked macaroni into the sauce until fully coated.
6. Serve: Plate the creamy macaroni and cheese as a base, top with honey pepper chicken tenders, and garnish with chopped parsley or grated Parmesan if desired.

Recipe Details:

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 4
Difficulty Level: Medium

Variations & Substitutions:

• Double-coat the chicken for extra crunch.
• Adjust red pepper flakes for more or less spice.
• Swap cheddar or mozzarella with pepper jack for a spicier twist.
• Substitute chicken with tofu or shrimp for a protein variation.

Serving Suggestions: