Description
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese recipe. Creamy, cheesy macaroni topped with sweet and spicy honey pepper chicken – a perfect blend of flavors for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
For Mac and Cheese:
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For Honey Pepper Chicken:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the macaroni: Prepare macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make the cheese sauce: Melt butter in a saucepan, whisk in flour, then gradually add milk and cream. Cook until thickened. Reduce heat, add cheeses, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth.
- Cook the chicken: In a skillet, cook chicken in olive oil until golden. Add honey, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook until chicken is coated.
- Combine and serve: Toss cooked macaroni with cheese sauce, then top with honey pepper chicken. Garnish with parsley.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add crispy bacon bits to the mac and cheese before topping with chicken.
- You can also swap the chicken for shrimp for a seafood twist.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 recipe
- Calories: 680
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 62g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 155mg
