Description
Creamy mac and cheese meets spicy honey pepper chicken in this irresistible comfort food fusion. Crispy seasoned chicken nestled over cheesy pasta delivers a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and zesty flavors you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein Ingredients:
- 25 ounces (708 grams) breaded chicken strips, cooked (baked or fried)
- 5 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
Pasta and Base:
- 16 ounces (454 grams) spiral noodles
- 1 stick (113 grams) butter
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) heavy cream
- 2–3 cloves minced garlic
Cheese and Sauce Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
- 3/4 cup freshly shredded Colby Jack cheese
- 3/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup pineapple juice
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven or prepare skillet for chicken strips, cooking according to package recommendations until golden and crisp at 375°F (190°C). Reserve cooked chicken to the side.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to rolling boil and cook spiral noodles until perfectly tender, approximately 8-9 minutes. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
- Create honey pepper sauce by combining honey, brown sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice, lemon juice, vinegar, black pepper, and cayenne in a saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 15 minutes until reduced and slightly thickened, stirring occasionally.
- Craft cheese sauce by melting butter in a separate saucepan. Pour heavy cream and gradually incorporate Parmesan, mozzarella, and Colby Jack cheeses, whisking until completely smooth. Add minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Fold cooked noodles into cheese sauce, ensuring complete and even coating. Crumble bacon and integrate throughout the pasta mixture.
- Generously coat each chicken strip in prepared honey pepper sauce, ensuring complete coverage.
- Assemble dish by layering cheesy pasta on plate, arranging sauced chicken strips on top. Garnish with fresh basil and optional additional bacon crumbles.
Notes
- Customize Chicken: Opt for grilled, air-fried, or rotisserie chicken as healthier alternatives to enhance nutritional value.
- Spice Control: Adjust cayenne pepper quantity to manage heat level, catering to different spice tolerances.
- Cheese Flexibility: Experiment with different cheese combinations like sharp cheddar or gouda for unique flavor profiles.
- Dietary Modifications: Replace heavy cream with Greek yogurt or plant-based alternatives for lighter, lactose-free versions.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 800
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 25 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 70 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg