Description
Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese: a bold, creamy, zesty twist on classic comfort food that combines honey-glazed chicken with rich cheeses and creamy pasta.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 3 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Cook macaroni according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute.
- Gradually whisk in milk and bring to a gentle simmer, stirring until thickened.
- Stir in cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese until melted. Season with salt and pepper.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil and add chicken. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook until golden and fully cooked.
- Reduce heat to low, add honey and black pepper to chicken, and stir to coat evenly. Cook for 1–2 minutes until caramelized.
- Stir cooked pasta into the cheese sauce, then top with honey pepper chicken.
- Optional: Garnish with chopped parsley or extra Parmesan.
Notes
- For extra creaminess, use additional cheese or a splash of cream cheese.
- To add color and texture, garnish with chopped parsley or extra Parmesan.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of the recipe)
- Calories: approximately 800 kcal
- Sugar: approximately 20 g
- Sodium: approximately 900 mg
- Fat: approximately 45 g
- Saturated Fat: approximately 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: approximately 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: approximately 85 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: approximately 35 g
- Cholesterol: approximately 160 mg
Keywords: Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese, creamy mac and cheese with honey pepper chicken, stovetop chicken macaroni, comfort food with a kick