Description
This Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese combines tender, honey-glazed chicken with a rich, cheesy macaroni base. The dish balances sweet honey and spicy pepper flakes, wrapped in a luscious blend of cheddar and Parmesan cheeses, making it a comforting and flavorful meal perfect for any night.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 lb (450g) chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Macaroni and Cheese
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Season the chicken pieces thoroughly with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes to infuse flavor before cooking.
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken pieces and cook for about 5-7 minutes per side until browned and fully cooked through.
- Glaze the chicken with honey: Drizzle honey over the cooked chicken, toss to coat evenly, then remove the skillet from heat and set the chicken aside.
- Cook the macaroni: Bring salted water to a boil in a large pot and cook the elbow macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make the roux: In the same pot, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in the all-purpose flour and cook for about 1 minute until the mixture turns golden and fragrant, forming a roux.
- Add dairy and thicken sauce: Slowly whisk in the milk and heavy cream, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Continue whisking until the mixture thickens and becomes creamy.
- Add cheeses and seasoning: Stir in the shredded cheddar, grated Parmesan, and garlic powder. Mix thoroughly until the cheeses melt completely and the sauce is smooth.
- Combine macaroni and cheese sauce: Add the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce, stirring to ensure every piece is coated with creamy cheese.
- Add Dijon mustard: Stir in the Dijon mustard to enhance the sauce’s depth and flavor.
- Incorporate honey-coated chicken: Gently fold in the honey-glazed chicken pieces into the mac and cheese to evenly distribute flavors without breaking the chicken.
- Serve: Serve the creamy honey pepper chicken mac and cheese warm, garnished with fresh chopped parsley if desired for a pop of color and freshness.
Notes
- You can substitute elbow macaroni with other pasta shapes like shells or penne.
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes if you prefer less or more spiciness.
- For a lighter version, use reduced-fat milk and cheese.
- Fresh parsley garnish is optional but adds a fresh contrast to the rich dish.
- Make sure not to overcook the pasta to maintain the perfect texture.
