Description
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese Delight! This irresistible dish features a rich, creamy cheese sauce enveloping tender elbow macaroni, topped with crispy honey-glazed chicken. The unique blend of sweet and spicy flavors takes a classic mac and cheese to gourmet heights, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions. Whether you’re feeding the family or entertaining guests, this dish promises to impress with its delightful combination of textures and tastes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Vegetable oil for frying
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Soak chicken in buttermilk for at least 20 minutes.
- Dredge soaked chicken in a mix of flour, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Fry until golden brown.
- Prepare the cheese sauce by melting butter, whisking in flour, then adding milk and cream before mixing in cheeses.
- Cook elbow macaroni according to package instructions; combine with the cheese sauce.
- Toss fried chicken in a mixture of honey, soy sauce, cracked pepper, and optional red pepper flakes.
- Serve mac and cheese topped with the glazed chicken.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (245g)
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 56g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 120mg