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A spoonful of creamy chicken mac and cheese being lifted from a bowl, showing a delicious cheese pull.
FL Recipes

Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese: The Ultimate Creamy & Spicy Recipe

An unforgettable Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese recipe featuring tender chicken in a sweet and spicy glaze, tossed in an ultra-creamy, three-cheese mac and cheese. The ultimate comfort food dinner.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 850

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tsp coarsely ground black pepper more to taste
  • 16 oz cavatappi or cellentani pasta
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese freshly shredded
  • 4 oz Gruyère cheese freshly shredded
  • 4 oz Monterey Jack cheese freshly shredded

Equipment

  • 1 Large Pot
  • 1 Large Skillet or Dutch Oven
  • 1 Whisk

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, season chicken cubes with salt, garlic powder, and onion powder. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until golden and cooked through (5-7 minutes).
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, and black pepper. Pour over the chicken in the skillet, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens and glazes the chicken. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
  4. In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux.
  5. Slowly pour in the milk and heavy cream, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Cook, whisking often, until the sauce thickens (5-8 minutes).
  6. Reduce heat to low. Add the shredded cheeses in handfuls, stirring until each batch is melted before adding the next. Continue stirring until the sauce is completely smooth.
  7. Add the cooked pasta and honey pepper chicken to the cheese sauce. Stir gently to combine everything. Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 850kcalProtein: 40gFat: 45gFiber: 3g

Notes

For the creamiest sauce, it is essential to shred your own cheese. Pre-shredded cheeses contain additives that prevent them from melting smoothly.
Cook the pasta just until al dente, as it will cook a little more when combined with the hot cheese sauce.
Adjust the amount of black pepper to suit your personal preference for spice.
Keyword chicken mac and cheese,honey pepper chicken,spicy mac and cheese

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