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Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese dish with a creamy texture and flavorful topping.

Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese

A creamy, comforting dish featuring chicken coated in a sweet and spicy honey pepper glaze, mixed with cheesy macaroni.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 650

Ingredients
  

Pasta
  • 2 cups elbow macaroni
Chicken and Glaze
  • 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Salt, to taste
Cheese Sauce
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
Garnish
  • Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces and season with salt and one teaspoon of black pepper. Cook until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, melt the butter and add the minced garlic, cooking for about 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Stir in the honey and remaining teaspoon of black pepper and let it simmer until slightly thickened, about 2-3 minutes.
  5. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, tossing to coat the chicken pieces with the honey pepper glaze. Remove from heat and set aside.
Cheese Sauce
  1. In a large saucepan, bring the heavy cream to a gentle simmer over low heat. Gradually add the cheddar, mozzarella, and parmesan cheeses, whisking continuously until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth. Season to taste with salt.
Combine
  1. Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce, stirring gently to combine and ensure the pasta is well coated.
  2. Add the honey pepper chicken to the macaroni and cheese, folding gently to incorporate the chicken throughout.
Serving
  1. Transfer the mac and cheese to a serving dish and garnish with freshly chopped parsley.
  2. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy your Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese!

Notes

Be cautious not to overcook the pasta; it should remain slightly firm to the bite. Consider adding cooked vegetables like spinach or broccoli for extra flavor. Prep all ingredients beforehand to simplify cooking.