Mix cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce Recipe
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese Delight. A decadent twist on classic mac and cheese, this dish features tender honey pepper glazed chicken atop a bed of creamy, cheesy pasta. The perfect blend of sweet and savory flavors that will satisfy your cravings.
- Author: Maya Quinn
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop, Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: None
For the Mac and Cheese:
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Honey Pepper Chicken:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Vegetable oil for frying
For the Honey Pepper Glaze:
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Prepare the Chicken: Soak chicken pieces in buttermilk for at least 20 minutes. In a bowl, mix flour, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Dredge chicken in the flour mixture and shake off excess. Fry until golden brown and crispy (about 4-5 minutes per side). Place on a paper towel-lined plate.
- Make the Honey Pepper Glaze: In a saucepan, combine honey, soy sauce, cracked black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Simmer over low heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently. Toss crispy chicken in the glaze to coat evenly.
- Cook the Macaroni and Cheese Sauce: Cook elbow macaroni according to package instructions. Drain and set aside. In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and whisk for 1-2 minutes. Slowly add milk and heavy cream, whisking continuously. Reduce heat and stir in cheddar and mozzarella cheese until melted. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Assemble the Dish: Mix cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce. Spoon mac and cheese into serving bowls. Top with honey pepper glazed chicken. Garnish with fresh parsley or extra black pepper (optional).
Notes
- You can customize the level of spiciness by adjusting the amount of black pepper and red pepper flakes in the glaze.
- For extra cheesiness, sprinkle additional cheddar and mozzarella on top before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 725 kcal
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 810mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 22g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 61g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 33g
- Cholesterol: 144mg
Keywords: Creamy, Mac and Cheese, Chicken, Honey Pepper, Comfort Food