Description
A comforting and flavorful twist on classic mac and cheese, this Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese combines tender, honey-glazed chicken with a creamy, cheesy pasta. Perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner, it balances sweet and spicy flavors with rich cheeses and a hint of smoked paprika.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni (or pasta of choice)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Chicken
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (plus more to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- 2 tablespoons honey
Cheese Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish (Optional)
- Chopped parsley or green onions
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain the pasta and set it aside for later use.
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces and season with garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika if using. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes until the chicken is browned and cooked through. Drizzle honey over the chicken and stir well to coat evenly. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Prepare Cheese Sauce: In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute to create a roux. Slowly whisk in the milk and continue cooking until the sauce thickens, about 3 to 4 minutes. Reduce heat to low and stir in shredded mozzarella, sharp cheddar, and Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning with additional black pepper to taste.
- Combine: Add the cooked pasta and honey pepper chicken to the cheese sauce. Gently stir everything together until well combined and heated through.
- Serve: Serve the dish warm, garnished with chopped parsley or green onions if desired for a fresh touch and added color.
Notes
- Adjust the honey and black pepper quantities to balance sweetness and spiciness according to your taste.
- For an extra kick, sprinkle in red pepper flakes or a splash of your favorite hot sauce when cooking the chicken.
- Use pasta shapes of your choice for variation.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
