Description
Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese is a comforting, flavorful dish combining tender honey-glazed chicken breasts with creamy cheddar macaroni. This quick 30-minute recipe is perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal, featuring a subtle sweetness from honey balanced with black pepper’s warmth, all atop rich, cheesy pasta.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Sauce
- 2 chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- Salt to taste
Mac and Cheese
- 2 cups macaroni, cooked
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 tbsp butter
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry and season both sides with salt and black pepper evenly to prepare for cooking.
- Cook honey pepper chicken: In a pan over medium heat, combine honey and black pepper to heat through. Add the chicken breasts and cook for about 6-7 minutes per side, allowing the honey glaze to caramelize slightly and the chicken to cook through and brown nicely.
- Prepare cheese sauce: In a separate pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the milk and gradually stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until it melts completely, creating a smooth and creamy cheese sauce.
- Combine pasta and cheese: Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir well until all the pasta is evenly coated with the cheesy mixture.
- Serve: Slice the honey pepper chicken breasts into strips and arrange them on top of the mac and cheese. Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use freshly ground black pepper for more robust flavor.
- For extra creaminess, add a splash of cream or use whole milk instead of low-fat milk.
- To speed up cooking, use pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken with honey and pepper glaze.
- Feel free to add steamed vegetables or a side salad for balance.
- Make sure not to overcook the chicken to keep it moist and tender.
