# Chicken Tender-Topped Pastas The Original Tender Mac & Cheese Bowl Features Crunchy Tenders By Katherine Pendrill | Published 2019-11-07 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tender-mac-cheese-bowl References: [qsrmagazine](https://www.qsrmagazine.com/news/slim-chickens-serve-tender-mac-bowls-all-locations) Slim Chickens is giving consumers a whole new way to enjoy its 100 percent all-natural, fresh chicken with the debut of the Original Tender Mac & Cheese Bowl. As Slim Chickens Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder Tom Gordon explains, "The launch of our new Tender Mac Bowls is just another way we prioritize serving our guests the high-quality, delicious and honest food that characterizes southern hospitality." The Original Tender Mac & Cheese Bowl is a tasty take on a Southern classic. The dish starts with Slim Chickens' signature [mac and cheese](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hot-honey-chicken-mac-n-cheese). The pasta is then topped with [breaded chicken tenders](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crispy-tender-dippers) and a blend of shredded Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses. There's also a Buffalo Tender Mac & Cheese Bowl featuring the chain's house-made [Buffalo and Cayenne Ranch](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/devils-smoke-sauce), green onions, and fried onions. Image Credit: *Slim Chickens.* ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.4/10 - Popularity: 25% | Activity: 9% | Freshness: 9% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Chicken Tenders:** Innovative ways to serve chicken tenders as a topping or ingredient in various dishes - **Mac and Cheese Bowls:** Incorporate creative combinations of mac and cheese with other ingredients beyond traditional recipes - **Fast Casual Dining:** Increasing demand for high-quality, fresh food that is served quickly and conveniently in a casual environment ### Where This Applies - **Food and Beverage:** Opportunities for creating new menu items featuring chicken tenders and novel mac and cheese options - **Hospitality:** Potential for incorporating new comfort food offerings into existing dining establishments or creating new concepts that reflect regional food trends - **Packaged Food:** New market for offering pre-packaged mac and cheese bowls with added protein or other innovative ingredients that appeal to consumers seeking convenience and unique flavors ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Indulgent Wintertime Macaroni Bowls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/macncheese-bowls.md) - [Mashed Potato Chicken Bowls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/maxs-homestyle-chicken-bowl.md) - [Ranch-Drizzled Loaded Fries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/loaded-fries-with-chicken-bacon-ranch.md) - [Cheesy Fried Chicken Dishes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/buffalo-chicken-mac-cheese.md) - [Cheesy BBQ Chicken Pastas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mac-n-cheese-dishes.md) - [Tangy BBQ Sandwiches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/memphis-style-bbq-chicken-sandwich.md) - [Flavorful Loaded Bowls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/flavorpacked-bowls.md) - [Flavor-Packed Macaroni Dishes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wing-snob-mac-and-cheese.md) - [Cheesy Baked Macaroni Bowls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mac-n-cheese-nodough-bowls.md)