Description
Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese turns your weeknight dinner into a comforting flavor adventure that’ll have your family rushing to the table. Cheesy pasta meets crispy chicken with a sweet and spicy twist that makes dinner feel like a warm hug from your favorite cook.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni
Dairy and Cheese:
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup milk
Seasonings and Extras:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 0.25 cup breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Drop 8 ounces of elbow macaroni into the water and cook for 8-9 minutes until al dente. Drain completely and set aside.
- Pat 2 chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Sprinkle both sides with 1 teaspoon black pepper and 1 teaspoon salt.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat for 2 minutes. Sear chicken for 6-7 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Remove chicken from skillet and let rest for 3 minutes. Slice into thin strips and drizzle with 1 tablespoon honey.
- In a saucepan, whisk 2 tablespoons flour into 1 cup milk over medium heat. Gradually add 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, stirring constantly until sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Fold sliced chicken and cooked macaroni into cheese sauce until everything is evenly coated.
- Transfer mixture to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle ¼ cup breadcrumbs across the top.
- Bake at 375°F for 15-20 minutes until breadcrumbs turn golden and edges bubble slightly.
Notes
- Select chicken breasts that are similar in size to ensure even cooking and consistent slicing.
- Use freshly ground black pepper for a more robust flavor profile in the dish.
- For a lighter version, substitute whole milk with low-fat milk and use reduced-fat cheese.
- Add a dash of smoked paprika to the breadcrumb topping for extra depth and complexity in your mac and cheese.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 to 4
- Calories: 610 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 570 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg