Baked Mac n Cheese and Hot Honey Chicken Tenders: The Comfort Combo You Didn’t Know You Needed

When comfort food is on your mind, few combos hit harder than a creamy dish of baked mac n cheese paired with crispy, sticky-sweet hot honey chicken tenders. It’s rich, spicy, and satisfying in all the best ways. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just treating yourself to something indulgent, this meal checks every box.

Why This Combo Works

Baked mac n cheese brings the creamy, cheesy comfort, while hot honey tenders deliver the crunch and heat. The contrast of textures and flavors is unbeatable. It’s the kind of meal that makes you pause mid-bite and say, “Okay, this is too good.”

Part 1: Baked Mac n Cheese

Ingredients

• 1 pound elbow macaroni
• ¼ cup unsalted butter
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 3 cups whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• ½ cup shredded Parmesan
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Topping:

• ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted

Instructions

1. Cook the Pasta – Boil macaroni in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Make the Sauce – Melt butter in a saucepan, whisk in flour, and cook for 1–2 minutes. Slowly whisk in milk and cream until thickened. Stir in garlic powder, salt, pepper, and cheeses.
3. Combine – Mix pasta into the sauce and pour into a greased 9×13 baking dish.
4. Top and Bake – Mix panko with melted butter, sprinkle over the top, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20–25 minutes, until bubbly and golden.

Part 2: Hot Honey Chicken Tenders

Ingredients

For the Tenders:

• 1 ½ pounds chicken tenders
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• Salt and pepper
• Oil for frying

For the Hot Honey:

• ⅓ cup honey
• 1 ½ tablespoons hot sauce (adjust to taste)
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)
• ½ tablespoon butter

Instructions

1. Marinate the Chicken – In a bowl, mix buttermilk with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Add chicken tenders and marinate for at least 30 minutes (or overnight).
2. Coat and Fry – Dredge tenders in seasoned flour. Heat oil in a skillet (about 350°F) and fry tenders until golden and crispy, about 4–5 minutes per side. Drain on a wire rack or paper towels.
3. Make the Hot Honey – In a small saucepan, warm honey, hot sauce, red pepper flakes, and butter until melted and combined.
4. Drizzle or Toss – Spoon the hot honey over the tenders or toss them gently to coat.

Serving Ideas

• Serve the mac n cheese in deep bowls with crispy tenders on the side
• Add a fresh side like coleslaw or pickles to cut the richness
• Want more heat? Serve with extra hot honey or a side of ranch for dipping

Final Thoughts

This baked mac n cheese and hot honey chicken combo is everything we love about comfort food—cheesy, crispy, spicy, and deeply satisfying. It’s a little messy, a lot flavorful, and absolutely worth every bite.

Stick around—every visit tastes better than the last at The Buttered Bliss.