Description
A delightful fusion of sweet honey and spicy black pepper chicken paired with creamy mac and cheese, perfect for family gatherings or cozy dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts (about 6 oz each)
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- Salt, to taste
- 2 teaspoons freshly Cracked Black Pepper
- ⅓ cup Honey
- 3 tablespoons Soy Sauce
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Butter
- 8 oz Elbow Macaroni, Cavatappi, or Shells
- 4 tablespoons Butter
- ¼ cup All-Purpose Flour
- 3 cups Whole Milk, warmed
- 1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ½ teaspoon Onion Powder
- ¼ teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- A pinch of Nutmeg
- 2 cups freshly shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- 1 cup freshly shredded Gruyère or Fontina Cheese
- 2 oz Cream Cheese, cubed
- Salt and White Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prep the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil, add pasta, and cook until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make the Glaze: Whisk together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and apple cider vinegar in a small bowl.
- Cook the Chicken: Season chicken breasts with salt and cracked pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet, cook chicken for 5-7 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove and let rest.
- Prepare the Sauce: Pour honey glaze into the skillet, deglaze, and simmer until thickened. Stir in butter.
- Coat the Chicken: Return chicken to skillet, coating generously with glaze.
- Make the Cheese Sauce: In a saucepan, melt butter, whisk in flour, then gradually add warmed milk. Stir in mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and nutmeg. Whisk in shredded cheeses until melted.
- Combine Flavors: Fold cooked pasta into the cheese sauce.
- Serve: Plate mac and cheese, top with glazed chicken, and drizzle with remaining honey glaze.
Notes
Let the chicken rest after cooking to maintain juiciness and use freshly shredded cheese for creamier sauce.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-frying and Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 720
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 70g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 45g
- Cholesterol: 135mg