Description
Honey pepper chicken mac and cheese delight brings comfort and excitement to classic pasta dishes with its rich, creamy blend of flavors. Savory chicken, sweet honey, and spicy pepper create a mouthwatering experience that satisfies comfort food cravings while elevating weeknight dinner expectations.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Cheeses:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Pasta and Base Ingredients:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) elbow macaroni or cavatappi pasta
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) whole milk
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Seasonings and Spices:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt to taste
Honey and Oil:
- 2 tablespoons honey (for chicken)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Garnish:
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- Chopped parsley
Instructions
- Boil a large pot of salted water and cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
- Generously season chicken breasts with garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat at 375°F. Cook chicken for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Drizzle cooked chicken with honey while still in the skillet, creating a glossy caramelized coating. Transfer chicken to a cutting board and slice into thin strips.
- In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Sprinkle flour and whisk continuously for 1-2 minutes to create a smooth roux.
- Slowly pour milk into the roux, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Continue stirring until sauce thickens and becomes velvety, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Gradually incorporate cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, stirring until completely melted and sauce becomes creamy and uniform.
- Fold cooked pasta into cheese sauce, ensuring every noodle is evenly coated with the rich mixture.
- Plate mac and cheese in serving bowls, strategically arranging honey-glazed chicken strips on top.
- Finish by drizzling additional honey over chicken, sprinkling red pepper flakes for heat, and garnishing with fresh chopped parsley. Serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- Swap chicken for tofu or tempeh to create a vegetarian-friendly version that maintains the protein and flavor profile.
- Reduce cheese sauce calories by using low-fat milk and reduced-fat cheese varieties without compromising creamy texture.
- Enhance nutritional value by adding roasted vegetables like broccoli or spinach directly into the mac and cheese for extra nutrients and color.
- Prevent sauce from becoming grainy by gradually adding cheese and stirring constantly, ensuring smooth and silky consistency.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 570 kcal
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 47 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 39 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg