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Sweet & Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken with Mac n Cheese

Tender chicken bites glazed in sweet honey and spicy pepper sauce served over ultra-creamy homemade macaroni and cheese for the ultimate comfort food dinner.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 580

Ingredients
  

  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper adjust for heat
  • 8 oz elbow macaroni or cavatappi
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups milk
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley chopped, for garnish

Equipment

  • Large pot for pasta
  • large skillet
  • Medium pot for cheese sauce
  • whisk

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook macaroni according to package directions until al dente, about 7-8 minutes. Drain well and set aside.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Cook for 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and cooked through to 165°F. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and cayenne. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens into a sticky glaze. Return the chicken to the pan and toss to coat completely. Reduce heat to low to keep warm.
  4. In a separate medium pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, whisking constantly, until it smells slightly nutty but hasn't browned.
  5. Gradually whisk in the milk until smooth. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 3-5 minutes, whisking frequently, until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
  6. Remove the pot from heat and stir in the cheddar and mozzarella until completely melted and smooth. Fold in the cooked macaroni until every piece is coated in cheese sauce.
  7. Serve generous scoops of the creamy mac and cheese into bowls and top with the sweet and spicy honey pepper chicken. Drizzle any extra glaze over the top and garnish with fresh parsley.

Notes

Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Store chicken and mac separately if possible for best texture. Reheat mac with a splash of milk to restore creaminess.
Heat Level: Adjust cayenne to taste. Omit entirely for a mild version suitable for kids, or double it for serious heat lovers.
Substitutions: Use chicken thighs for juicier meat. Try rotisserie chicken or frozen popcorn chicken for an even faster version. Any short pasta shape works well. Pre-shredded cheese can be used but may result in a slightly grainy sauce.
Cheese Sauce Tips: Always remove from heat before adding cheese to prevent it from breaking. Shred cheese from a block for the smoothest sauce. If sauce is too thick, thin with milk one tablespoon at a time.
Make-Ahead: Both components can be made a day ahead and stored separately in the refrigerator. Reheat individually and combine just before serving.