Elevated Eats: Buzzy Game Day
- Sara Stirs
- Sep 15
- 3 min read
It’s almost officially fall Moon Foodies. Many will argue that autumn is the best food season. While I personally will always reserve that spot for summer, fall is a very close second. The air is cooler, the daylight is shorter. Schedules are busy getting back to routines. Fall also brings game day season. While slow cooker meals are perfect for the weekdays we are all waiting for the weekend to indulge in game day eats, right?!
Is there a more game day worthy flavor than buffalo? It’s a classic that never goes out of style. Wings are delicious, but messy and can be difficult to prepare for a crowd- the solution, crispy chicken tenders. Crispy chicken tossed in a homemade buffalo sauce with infused honey. Say less. Panko bread crumbs give these an extra crunchy coating. Moon Honey mixed with spicy buffalo delivers the tastiest sweet and spicy balance. The tenders can be made in advance, reheated, and tossed with sauce just before serving. All the flavor without the mess. Be careful - serve these and you may just be come the official game day host.
Crispy Honey Buffalo Chicken Tenders
Ingredients
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken tenders or chicken breasts (sliced into strips)
1 teaspoon kosher salt (per pound of chicken)
Black pepper, to taste
1 cup flour (seasoned with salt and pepper)
2 eggs, beaten
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon water
1/4 teaspoon salt (for egg mixture)
Panko breadcrumbs
Fresh grated Parmesan cheese (mix with panko in a 2:1 ratio)
Additional black pepper, to taste
Cooking spray (for air fryer) or oil (for skillet)
Directions:
Season chicken strips with kosher salt (1 teaspoon per pound) and black pepper.
Set up the breading station:
Bowl 1: Flour seasoned with salt and pepper.
Bowl 2: Beaten eggs whisked with lemon juice, water, and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
Bowl 3: Panko breadcrumbs mixed with Parmesan (2:1 ratio) and black pepper.
Coat chicken strips in the flour, then dip into the egg mixture, and finally coat with the panko-Parmesan mixture.
Choose a cooking method:
Air Fryer: Spray chicken with oil, air fry at 375°F for 5–7 minutes per side.
Skillet: Heat shallow oil over medium heat and cook until crispy on each side.
Buffalo Sauce
4 tablespoons UNSALTED butter
4 tablespoons Moon Honey
1/2 cup Franks red hot sauce
1 tablespoon Tabasco or Crystal ( or for less heat 1 tablespoon cider vinegar)
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon cayenne (optional)
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Fresh cracked black pepper
**Heat all ingredients in a sauce pan over low heat until combined.
A spicy chicken tender needs a crisp drink for pairing. Enter the Pear Rosemary Sparkler. Pears are in season and plentiful. A fresh pear smash is the base of this mocktail. Rosemary infused simple syrup adds sweetness and an earthiness. Tonic water keeps things light and refreshing. Moon shots allow guests to dose to their liking. The pear smash and rosemary simple syrup can be made in advance. This drink is great to set up self serve bar style so guests may customize their mocktail to taste.
Pear Rosemary Sparkler
(For 2 drinks)
Ingredients:
1 ripe pear peeled, and mashed
4-6 tablespoons rosemary simple syrup*
Tonic water
Ice
Honey and coarse sugar for glass rim
2 rosemary sprigs
Directions:
Roll rim or one side of two glasses in honey then in the sugar.
Divide mashed pear between the two glasses.
Add 2-3 tablespoons simple syrup per glass depending on sweetness.
Stir to combine.
Fill each glass with ice.
Pour tonic water to the top.
Use a rosemary sprig as a stirrer (leave for garnish).
In a saucepan combine 1/3 cup sugar, 1/3 cup water and 3 rosemary sprigs.
Bring to a slow boil, reduce heat and stir continuously until the sugar has dissolved.
Turn off heat. Cool completely.
Remove rosemary sprigs and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 1 week.
Extra syrup is delicious stirred into whipped cream and served with fruit.
Guess what? You can make this exact menu IN PERSON during a step-by-step cooking class at Moon Flower's Storefront! On September 19th, from 6-7:30, join us for our VERY FIRST Elevated Eats event. It's gonna be a blast! Click this button for tickets!!!
Invite some friends over to enjoy these recipes. Embrace the season transition.
Until next time. Peace friends.
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