Description
Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese Delight brings comfort right to your dinner table with a perfect blend of sweet and spicy flavors. Tender chicken, melted cheese, and a hint of honey create a quick weeknight meal that’ll have your family asking for seconds.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 3 chicken breasts
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cracked black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon chili flakes
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
Sauce and Cheese Components:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- ½ cup parmesan cheese, grated
- Extra cracked black pepper
- A drizzle of honey
Instructions
- Boil a large pot of salted water. Cook 1 pound of macaroni for 8-9 minutes until al dente. Drain and toss with 1 teaspoon olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Mix 3 chicken breasts with 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper in a bowl.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet at medium-high heat. Cook seasoned chicken for 5-6 minutes, flipping occasionally, until golden brown.
- Whisk 3 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, and 1 tablespoon soy sauce together in a small bowl.
- Pour honey mixture over chicken in the skillet. Toss and cook for 1-2 minutes until chicken is glazed and sticky.
- Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in 2 tablespoons flour and cook for 1 minute.
- Gradually add 2 cups whole milk and 1 cup heavy cream, whisking constantly. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Reduce heat to low. Stir in 1 ½ cups cheddar, 1 cup mozzarella, and ½ cup parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
- Fold cooked pasta into cheese sauce, ensuring each noodle is coated.
- Mix half the honey pepper chicken into mac and cheese.
- Transfer to a baking dish. Sprinkle extra cheese on top.
- Bake at 375°F for 10-12 minutes until golden and bubbly.
- Top with remaining chicken, a sprinkle of chopped parsley, and a light honey drizzle.
Notes
- Always use a large skillet for cooking chicken to ensure even browning and prevent overcrowding.
- Let the pasta cool slightly before mixing with cheese sauce to help prevent a gummy texture and maintain perfect consistency.
- For a gluten-free version, swap regular flour with cornstarch or a gluten-free blend and use gluten-free pasta.
- If your sauce feels too thick, thin it with a splash of reserved pasta water to create a silky, smooth texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 19 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 625 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg