Sweet & Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac And Cheese Recipe

Crafting a delectable honey pepper chicken mac and cheese becomes a culinary adventure that sparks joy in your kitchen.

Creamy pasta intertwines with succulent chicken pieces, creating a harmony of flavors.

Sweet honey notes dance alongside bold pepper undertones, promising a memorable meal.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of comfort and excitement.

Crispy chicken chunks nestled within rich, velvety cheese sauce elevate this classic dish to new heights.

Weeknight dinners will never feel mundane again with this crowd-pleasing recipe.

You’ll want to savor every single forkful of this irresistible comfort food.

Why Honey Pepper Chicken Mac And Cheese Is A Flavor Bomb

• Savor Flavor Fusion: Combines sweet honey and spicy pepper with creamy mac and cheese for a taste adventure that delights the palate.
• Master One-Pan Magic: Streamlines cooking process by using the same skillet for chicken searing and sauce creation, minimizing cleanup and kitchen chaos.
• Create Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Delivers a hearty, satisfying meal that appeals to both kids and adults, making it perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.
• Customize with Ease: Offers flexibility to adjust spice levels or add extra ingredients, allowing home cooks to personalize the dish to their taste preferences.

What You’ll Need For Honey Pepper Chicken Mac And Cheese

• Chicken Breasts: A lean and tender meat that provides the main protein source for this comforting dish.
• Black Pepper: A spicy seasoning that adds a sharp and aromatic flavor to the chicken.

• Cheddar Cheese: A sharp and melty cheese that creates a rich and creamy sauce base.
• Heavy Cream, Milk: Dairy ingredients that contribute to the smooth and luxurious texture of the mac and cheese.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps create a velvety sauce.

• Elbow Macaroni: A classic pasta shape that perfectly captures and holds the cheesy sauce.
• Breadcrumbs: Provides a crunchy topping that adds textural contrast to the creamy dish.

• Honey, Garlic Powder, Salt, Paprika, Green Onions: Seasonings and garnishes that enhance the overall flavor profile of the dish.

How To Make Honey Pepper Chicken Mac And Cheese Easily

Step 1: Slice and Season Chicken

Grab your chicken breasts and slice them into small, bite-sized morsels. Drizzle honey generously over the chicken pieces and sprinkle freshly cracked black pepper, ensuring each piece gets a delicious coating.

Step 2: Sear Chicken to Perfection

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully place chicken pieces into the hot pan, cooking until they transform into golden-brown delights. Ensure chicken is fully cooked with no pink centers, which should take about 6-8 minutes.

Step 3: Prepare Pasta Base

Bring a pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook until it reaches that perfect al dente texture. Once done, drain the pasta and set it aside, ready for its cheesy destiny.

Step 4: Create Creamy Cheese Sauce

In the same skillet used for chicken, melt butter until it’s smooth and bubbling. Pour in heavy cream and milk, then sprinkle in garlic powder, salt, and paprika. Whisk these ingredients into a luxurious sauce base.

Step 5: Blend Cheese into Sauce

Gradually add shredded cheddar cheese to the sauce, stirring constantly. Watch as the cheese melts and creates a velvety, smooth mixture that will make mouths water.

Step 6: Combine Pasta and Sauce

Fold the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce, ensuring every single pasta piece gets a loving coating of creamy goodness.

Step 7: Add Honey Pepper Chicken

Gently mix the seared honey-pepper chicken into the cheesy pasta. Distribute the chicken evenly so each bite contains a perfect balance of flavors.

Step 8: Prepare for Baking

Transfer the entire mixture to a baking dish. Sprinkle a generous layer of breadcrumbs across the top, promising a delightful crunch in every serving.

Step 9: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the dish into a preheated oven at 375°F. Bake for 15-20 minutes, watching as the breadcrumbs turn a beautiful golden brown and the edges become wonderfully crispy.

Step 10: Garnish and Serve

Remove the mac and cheese from the oven. Sprinkle freshly chopped green onions on top for a pop of color and fresh flavor. Serve piping hot and enjoy the incredible combination of honey, pepper, and cheesy goodness.

Smart Tips For Honey Pepper Chicken Mac And Cheese

• Boost Honey Flavor: Drizzle extra honey over chicken before searing to intensify the sweet-spicy profile and create caramelized edges.
• Prevent Dry Chicken: Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for juicier, more tender meat that remains moist throughout baking.
• Cheese Melting Hack: Grate cheese at room temperature and use freshly shredded blocks for smoother, creamier sauce without grainy texture.
• Crispy Topping Trick: Mix panko breadcrumbs with melted butter and grated parmesan for an extra-crunchy, golden-brown topping that adds rich flavor.
• Gluten-Free Option: Substitute regular macaroni with gluten-free pasta and use almond flour instead of breadcrumbs to make the dish celiac-friendly.

Fun Ways To Change Up Honey Pepper Chicken Mac And Cheese

• Spicy Southwest Chicken Mac: Replace honey with chipotle sauce, add diced jalapeños, swap cheddar for pepper jack cheese, and sprinkle crushed tortilla chips instead of breadcrumbs.
• Mediterranean Herb Chicken Mac: Use oregano and thyme to season chicken, incorporate feta cheese, add sun-dried tomatoes, and top with fresh basil leaves.
• BBQ Ranch Chicken Mac: Substitute honey with tangy BBQ sauce, mix ranch seasoning into cheese sauce, include crispy bacon bits, and garnish with chopped chives.
• Buffalo Blue Cheese Mac: Coat chicken in buffalo sauce, blend blue cheese into cream sauce, add crumbled blue cheese on top, and serve with celery garnish.

What Tastes Best With Honey Pepper Chicken Mac And Cheese

• Crisp White Wine Complement: Select a bright, slightly acidic sauvignon blanc to cut through the rich, creamy cheese sauce and balance the sweet-spicy chicken notes.
• Fresh Citrus Salad Partner: Toss a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to provide a zesty, refreshing contrast against the hearty mac and cheese texture.
• Bold Craft Beer Match: Choose an amber ale or hoppy IPA with caramel undertones that will enhance the honey's sweetness and complement the peppery chicken flavor profile.
• Roasted Vegetable Side: Prepare garlic-roasted broccoli or asparagus to add nutritional balance and provide a green vegetable element that brightens the overall meal experience.

Storage Tips For Honey Pepper Chicken Mac And Cheese

• Store leftover Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Pack the cooled mac and cheese in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Frozen portions will maintain quality for 2-3 months.
• Warm individual servings in the microwave, adding a splash of milk to restore creamy texture. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly.
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes.

Honey Pepper Chicken Mac And Cheese FAQ Guide

• Can I use different types of pasta for this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute elbow macaroni with other short pasta shapes like penne, shells, or rotini that hold cheese sauce well.

• Is it possible to make this dish spicier?

Absolutely! Add red pepper flakes to the chicken coating or sprinkle cayenne pepper into the cheese sauce for extra heat.

• How can I make this recipe healthier?

Use whole wheat pasta, reduce cheese quantity, replace heavy cream with low-fat milk, and use Greek yogurt for a protein boost.

• Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the mac and cheese completely, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add 5-10 minutes to the baking time.

Honeyed Honey Pepper Chicken Mac And Cheese Recipe

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4.6 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Creamy comfort meets zesty flair in this honey pepper chicken mac and cheese, a mouthwatering fusion of classic pasta and bold flavor profiles. Crispy chicken pieces drizzled with sweet honey and spicy pepper create an irresistible main dish that promises to delight you at the first delicious bite.

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Ingredients

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Protein:

• 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 tbsp black pepper

Pasta and Dairy:

• 16 oz elbow macaroni
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup butter

Seasonings and Extras:

• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs

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Instructions

1. Slice chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces, then generously coat with honey and freshly ground black pepper.
2. Preheat oven to 375°F and prepare a large skillet for searing chicken over medium-high heat.
3. Cook chicken pieces until golden brown and thoroughly cooked, approximately 6-8 minutes, ensuring no pink remains.
4. Simultaneously, boil elbow macaroni in salted water according to package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
5. In the same skillet, melt butter and whisk in heavy cream, milk, garlic powder, salt, and paprika, creating a smooth sauce base.
6. Gradually incorporate shredded cheddar cheese into the sauce, stirring continuously until completely melted and integrated.
7. Fold cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce, ensuring even coating of each pasta piece.
8. Gently mix seared honey-pepper chicken into the cheesy pasta, distributing evenly throughout the dish.
9. Transfer mixture to a prepared baking dish, sprinkle breadcrumbs across the top for added crunch.
10. Bake in preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until breadcrumbs turn golden and edges become slightly crispy.
11. Remove from oven and garnish with freshly chopped green onions before serving hot.

Notes

• Enhance chicken flavor by marinating in honey and pepper for 30 minutes before cooking to deepen taste profile.
• Choose sharp cheddar cheese for more intense flavor, or mix multiple cheese varieties like monterey jack and gruyere for complexity.
• Substitute whole wheat pasta for added nutrition and create a healthier version of the classic mac and cheese.
• Adapt recipe for gluten-sensitive diets by using gluten-free breadcrumbs and pasta, maintaining the dish’s rich, comforting essence.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 710
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 700 mg
• Fat: 36 g
• Saturated Fat: 20 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 70 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 40 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg