Honey Pepper Chicken Mac (Printable Format)
Crispy chicken glazed in honey pepper sauce served atop creamy mac and cheese. Pure comfort flavor.
# Needed Ingredients:
→ Macaroni and Cheese
01 -
2 cups elbow macaroni or cavatappi pasta
02 -
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
03 -
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
04 -
2 cups whole milk
05 -
1 cup heavy cream
06 -
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
07 -
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
08 -
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
09 -
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
10 -
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Honey-Pepper Chicken
11 -
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
12 -
1/2 teaspoon paprika
13 -
1/2 teaspoon salt
14 -
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
15 -
Vegetable oil, for frying or baking
→ Honey-Pepper Glaze
16 -
3/4 cup honey
17 -
3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
18 -
1/4 cup light brown sugar
19 -
1/4 cup pineapple juice
20 -
Juice of 1 lemon
21 -
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar
22 -
1 teaspoon black pepper
23 -
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
→ Toppings and Garnish
24 -
5 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled (optional)
25 -
Fresh basil, chopped, for garnish
# Preparation Steps:
01 -
Season chicken pieces with paprika, salt, and black pepper. Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a bowl.
02 -
Combine honey, soy sauce, brown sugar, pineapple juice, lemon juice, vinegar, black pepper, and cayenne pepper in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce to a simmer and cook for about 15 minutes until slightly thickened. Let the glaze cool slightly. Pour the glaze over cooked chicken and toss to coat evenly.
03 -
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook until just al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
04 -
Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour to form a smooth roux. Gradually add milk and heavy cream, whisking constantly until mixture is smooth. Add cheddar and mozzarella cheese in batches, stirring until fully melted. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
05 -
Fold the drained macaroni into the cheese sauce. Add crumbled bacon if using, and stir gently to combine.
06 -
Spoon cheesy macaroni onto plates or into a serving dish. Arrange glazed chicken on top and garnish generously with chopped fresh basil. Serve immediately.
# Supplementary Details:
01 -
Glaze may be prepared in advance and reheated gently before serving for optimal flavor integration.