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