Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese Delight

why make this recipe

Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese Delight is a fantastic dish that combines the comforting flavors of mac and cheese with sweet and savory chicken. This recipe is perfect for dinner when you want something satisfying and easy to prepare. It brings together creamy cheeses, tender chicken, and a delightful honey glaze that will make your taste buds sing. Whether you’re cooking for family or friends, this dish will surely impress!

how to make Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese Delight

Ingredients:

• 2 Chicken breasts, boneless skinless
• 1/2 tsp Garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp Onion powder
• 1/3 cup Honey
• 1 tbsp Soy sauce
• 2 cups Elbow macaroni
• 1/2 tsp Black pepper
• 1 tsp Black pepper, cracked
• 18 tbsp Flour
• 1 tsp Paprika
• 1/2 tsp Red pepper flakes
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• Vegetable oil
• 2 tbsp Butter
• 1 cup Buttermilk
• 2 cups Cheddar cheese
• 1 cup Heavy cream
• 1/2 cup Mozzarella cheese
• 2 cups Whole milk

Directions:

1. Cook elbow macaroni according to the package instructions; drain and set aside.
2. In a small bowl, mix honey and soy sauce. Set aside.
3. Season chicken breasts with garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and paprika.
4. Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken until golden and cooked through, about 6-7 minutes per side. Drizzle with honey-soy mixture and let it caramelize for a minute. Remove from heat and slice.
5. In another pot, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes. Slowly add whole milk and buttermilk, whisking until smooth.
6. Stir in heavy cream and cheeses, cooking until melted and creamy.
7. Add the cooked macaroni and mix until well combined.
8. Top with sliced chicken and serve hot.

how to serve Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese Delight

Serve this delicious dish hot, garnished with some extra cracked black pepper or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a little kick. You can pair it with a fresh salad or some steamed vegetables for a complete meal. Everyone will love the creamy texture and sweet-savory chicken toppings!

how to store Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese Delight

To store leftovers, let the dish cool completely. Place it in an airtight container and refrigerate. It will stay fresh for about 3-4 days. You can also freeze the mac and cheese without the chicken for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to eat, just reheat it in the microwave or oven until warmed through.

tips to make Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese Delight

• For extra flavor, let the chicken marinate in the honey-soy mixture for about 30 minutes before cooking.
• If you want more heat, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add some diced jalapeño to the cheese sauce.
• Feel free to mix and match cheeses based on what you have at home for a unique taste!

variation

You can add vegetables like spinach, broccoli, or bell peppers to the mac and cheese for a healthy twist. You can also use different types of pasta if you prefer something other than elbow macaroni.

FAQs

1. Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Yes, chicken thighs can be used for a juicier flavor. Just adjust the cooking time as needed.

2. Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the mac and cheese and cook the chicken ahead of time. Assemble before serving for the best texture.

3. What can I serve with this dish?
This mac and cheese dish pairs well with a simple salad, garlic bread, or steamed vegetables for a balanced meal.

Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese Delight

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A comforting blend of mac and cheese with sweet and savory chicken, topped with a delightful honey glaze.

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 Chicken breasts, boneless skinless
• 1/2 tsp Garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp Onion powder
• 1/3 cup Honey
• 1 tbsp Soy sauce
• 2 cups Elbow macaroni
• 1/2 tsp Black pepper
• 1 tsp Black pepper, cracked
• 18 tbsp Flour
• 1 tsp Paprika
• 1/2 tsp Red pepper flakes
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• Vegetable oil
• 2 tbsp Butter
• 1 cup Buttermilk
• 2 cups Cheddar cheese
• 1 cup Heavy cream
• 1/2 cup Mozzarella cheese
• 2 cups Whole milk

Instructions

1. Cook elbow macaroni according to the package instructions; drain and set aside.
2. In a small bowl, mix honey and soy sauce. Set aside.
3. Season chicken breasts with garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and paprika.
4. Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken until golden and cooked through, about 6-7 minutes per side. Drizzle with honey-soy mixture and let it caramelize for a minute. Remove from heat and slice.
5. In another pot, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes. Slowly add whole milk and buttermilk, whisking until smooth.
6. Stir in heavy cream and cheeses, cooking until melted and creamy.
7. Add the cooked macaroni and mix until well combined.
8. Top with sliced chicken and serve hot.

Notes

For extra flavor, let the chicken marinate in the honey-soy mixture for about 30 minutes before cooking. Feel free to mix and match cheeses based on what you have at home for a unique taste!

• Author: mehdilmh
• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Cooking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: None

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 15g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 24g
• Saturated Fat: 14g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 48g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 34g
• Cholesterol: 120mg

Keywords: chicken, mac and cheese, comfort food, creamy, honey, easy dinner