Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese
Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese is a rich pasta dish with cheesy sauce and sweet-spicy chicken.
Ingredients
- 12 oz elbow macaroni or cavatappi pasta
- 1 lb boneless chicken breast cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp chopped parsley
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a bowl, season the chicken with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook the chicken for 5–7 minutes until golden and fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt butter and stir in honey until slightly bubbling. Return the chicken and coat evenly.
- In a saucepan over low heat, warm the heavy cream and gradually whisk in cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan until smooth.
- Add cooked pasta to the sauce and stir well to coat.
- Plate the mac and cheese and top with honey pepper chicken.
- Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
- Swap heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter version
- Add steamed broccoli for a veggie boost
- Serve with garlic bread or a fresh salad