Description

This Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac & Cheese recipe combines tender chicken pieces coated in a sweet and peppery honey glaze with a rich, cheesy sauce, all tossed together with perfectly cooked elbow macaroni. It’s a comforting and flavorful twist on classic mac & cheese, bringing a delightful balance of sweet, spicy, and savory notes to a family favorite.

Ingredients

Scale

Macaroni

2 cups elbow macaroni

Chicken and Seasoning

1 lb chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons black pepper, freshly ground
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
2 cloves garlic, minced

Sauce

1 cup milk
1 cup heavy cream
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 cup honey

Garnish

Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

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Instructions

Cook macaroni: Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
Heat skillet and cook chicken: In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and butter. Once melted, add the bite-sized chicken pieces to the skillet.
Season and cook chicken: Season the chicken with salt, freshly ground black pepper, paprika, and cayenne pepper if using. Cook the chicken until golden brown and fully cooked through, about 6 to 7 minutes.
Sauté garlic: Add minced garlic to the skillet with the chicken and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
Add honey to chicken: Pour the honey evenly over the chicken in the skillet and stir well to coat the chicken. Let it cook for an additional 2 minutes to meld the flavors, then remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Prepare cheese sauce: In the same skillet, pour in the milk and heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
Melt cheeses: Gradually whisk in the shredded cheddar cheese and grated Parmesan cheese until fully melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
Combine ingredients: Return the cooked macaroni and honey-coated chicken to the skillet, tossing them thoroughly in the creamy cheese sauce until evenly coated.
Heat through: Allow the combined mac & cheese and chicken mixture to cook for another 2 to 3 minutes over medium heat until heated through. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.
Garnish and serve: Remove the skillet from the heat and garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving warm.

Notes

For a spicier kick, increase the cayenne pepper slightly or add crushed red pepper flakes.
You can substitute chicken thighs for breasts if preferred; cooking time may vary slightly.
Use low-fat milk and cream alternatives to reduce fat content, but it may affect creaminess.
Make sure not to overcook the pasta initially, as it will cook further with the sauce.
Freshly grated cheeses melt better than pre-shredded varieties that contain anti-caking agents.