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Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 3.9 from 81 reviews
  • Author: Elina
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 30 mins
  • Total Time: 45 mins
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Description

Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese is a comforting dinner dish featuring tender chicken breast pieces coated in a sweet and spicy honey pepper glaze, combined with creamy, cheesy macaroni. This beginner-friendly recipe creates a delightful blend of savory and sweet flavors wrapped in a luscious cheese sauce, perfect for a satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 2 cups elbow macaroni

Chicken and Glaze

  • 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground (divided)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt, to taste
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp butter

Cheese Sauce

  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated

Garnish

  • Fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Cook Pasta: Boil elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside to be combined later.
  2. Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken bite-sized pieces with salt and 1 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper. Cook the chicken for 6-8 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
  3. Prepare Honey Pepper Glaze: In the same skillet, melt the butter and add the minced garlic. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the honey and the remaining teaspoon of black pepper. Let the mixture simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
  4. Coat Chicken: Return the cooked chicken pieces to the skillet with the honey pepper glaze. Toss well to coat each piece thoroughly. Remove from heat and set aside.
  5. Make Cheese Sauce: In a large saucepan, gently bring the heavy cream to a simmer over low heat. Gradually whisk in the shredded cheddar, mozzarella, and grated parmesan cheeses until fully melted and the sauce turns smooth. Season to taste with salt.
  6. Combine Pasta and Cheese Sauce: Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and gently stir to fully coat the pasta in the creamy sauce.
  7. Add Chicken to Mac and Cheese: Fold the honey pepper chicken into the macaroni and cheese, mixing gently to distribute the chicken evenly throughout.
  8. Serve: Transfer the combined mac and cheese with chicken to a serving dish. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve immediately while hot.

Notes

  • Use freshly ground black pepper for the best flavor punch in the glaze.
  • Cook chicken pieces evenly by cutting them into uniform sizes.
  • Don’t overcook the macaroni; it should be al dente to hold shape in the cheese sauce.
  • Adjust salt according to the saltiness of cheeses used.
  • Garnish with parsley for a fresh color contrast and mild herb flavor.

Find it online: https://recipes.mbeams.com/honey-pepper-chicken-mac-and-cheese-recipe/