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High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese

High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese combines sweet honey garlic chicken with creamy homemade macaroni and cheese.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Course dinner
Cuisine American

Ingredients
  

For the Honey Garlic Butter Chicken

  • 2 chicken breasts cubed
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

For the Mac & Cheese

  • 2 cups elbow macaroni
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions
 

Marinate the chicken

  • In a large bowl, combine cubed chicken with olive oil, garlic, smoked paprika, garlic powder, dried parsley, salt, and black pepper. Mix well and let marinate for about 10 minutes.

Cook the chicken

  • Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the marinated chicken. Cook for about 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is fully cooked and lightly browned.

Add the honey garlic butter

  • Reduce the heat to low and stir in the butter, honey, and chopped parsley. Allow the butter to melt and coat the chicken evenly, then set aside.

Start the mac and cheese sauce

  • In the same skillet, add butter and allow it to melt over medium heat to deglaze the pan.

Cook the garlic

  • Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 2–3 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden.

Add the cream

  • Pour in the heavy cream and bring it to a gentle simmer.

Melt the cheese

  • Stir in the mozzarella and cheddar cheese along with smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.

Cook the pasta

  • Boil the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse briefly under cold water.

Combine pasta and sauce

  • Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir well. Let it simmer on low heat for about 5 minutes so the pasta absorbs the sauce.

Serve

  • Plate the creamy mac and cheese and top with the honey garlic butter chicken.

Notes

  • Chicken thighs can be substituted for chicken breasts for a richer flavor.