🍯🔥 Honey Glaze Sweet & Spicy Fried Chicken & Buttermilk Mac & Cheese
Ingredients
Fried Chicken:
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4 chicken thighs or breasts (boneless, skin-on or skinless)
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1 cup buttermilk
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1 tsp hot sauce (optional)
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1 cup all-purpose flour
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1 tsp smoked paprika
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1 tsp garlic powder
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1 tsp onion powder
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1 tsp salt
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1/2 tsp black pepper
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Oil for frying (vegetable or peanut oil)
Honey Glaze:
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1/4 cup honey
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1 tbsp hot sauce (like sriracha or your favorite chili sauce)
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1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
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1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
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Pinch of salt
Buttermilk Mac & Cheese:
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8 oz elbow macaroni
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3 tbsp unsalted butter
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3 tbsp all-purpose flour
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3 cups buttermilk (shake well)
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2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
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1 cup Monterey Jack or mozzarella cheese, shredded
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1/2 tsp mustard powder (optional)
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1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
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Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Marinate Chicken
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Mix buttermilk and hot sauce in a bowl. Add chicken, cover, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
2. Prepare Honey Glaze
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In a small saucepan over low heat, combine honey, hot sauce, apple cider vinegar, red pepper flakes, and salt. Stir until combined and warm. Set aside.
3. Make Buttermilk Mac & Cheese
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Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain and set aside.
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In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook 1-2 minutes to form a roux.
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Slowly whisk in buttermilk and cook, stirring constantly, until sauce thickens (about 5-7 minutes).
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Remove from heat and stir in cheeses until melted and smooth. Season with mustard powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper.
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Mix in cooked pasta and keep warm.
4. Fry Chicken
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In a bowl, mix flour, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
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Remove chicken from marinade and dredge in the seasoned flour. For extra crispiness, double dredge (dip back into buttermilk then flour again).
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Heat oil to 350°F (175°C) and fry chicken 6-8 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Drain on paper towels or wire rack.
5. Glaze Chicken
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Brush the hot fried chicken generously with the honey glaze.
Serve & Enjoy!
Plate your crispy, sticky, sweet & spicy chicken alongside creamy buttermilk mac & cheese. Garnish with chopped green onions or parsley if you like.
Would you like a printable version or tips on making it healthier?
