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This cozy meal brings together creamy mac and cheese with sweet-spicy honey pepper chicken for a real comfort food hit. It’s an easy win for family dinners. Sweet notes and bold seasoning have everyone going back for seconds at my table
I threw this together for movie night with family one evening now nobody lets me go without making it if friends come over
Craveworthy Ingredients
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: melts for that gooey stretchy topping go for whole milk mozzarella if you can
- Chopped parsley: adds brightness and a splash of green grab flat-leaf for extra zing
- Olive oil: good for getting a crispy outside grab extra virgin for more flavor
- Ground black pepper: adds a little punch try cracking it fresh if possible
- Butter: makes everything smooth and creamy real butter tastes best
- All-purpose flour: gives your cheese sauce its thickness if possible steer clear of bleached flour
- Macaroni pasta: that classic noodle shape works so well for cheesy dishes
- Garlic powder: rounds everything out and saves you chopping
- Milk: makes cheese sauce extra silky and rich whole milk’s awesome here
- Honey: natural sweetener gives that signature stickiness use local honey if you can
- Chicken breasts (boneless, skinless): juicy and cook fast just make sure they're even for even cooking
- Ground cayenne pepper: brings the spice dial it up or down however you want
- Salt and pepper: the basic seasonings that kick things off
- Soy sauce: savory umami hit low-sodium works great here
- Onion powder: subtle and savory, ties the sauce together
- Apple cider vinegar: makes the sweet and spicy really pop use the cloudy kind for more tang
- Shredded sharp cheddar cheese: for that craveable cheesy flavor freshly shredded melts best but pre-shredded is fine
Fun, Easy Steps
- Serve It Up:
- Ladle cheesy mac onto plates then pile saucy chicken strips on top give it a shower of fresh parsley before bringing to the table
- Mix Mac and Cheese Sauce:
- Drop your hot macaroni into the cheese pot stir gently so every noodle is gotten nice and creamy
- Finish with Cheese:
- Pull your pot off the stove add both cheeses and stir till it’s all smooth and melty give it a taste and sprinkle salt or pepper if you want
- Make That Cheese Sauce:
- Start butter melting over medium then whisk in flour let it cook for a minute to zap any raw flavor keep slowly adding milk while whisking until it’s smooth raise heat and stir a few more minutes 'til the sauce thickens and can coat a spoon
- Cook the Macaroni:
- Big pot of water goes to a boil toss in salt add the noodles and follow the cooking time on the package drain and keep warm
- Slice and Sauce the Chicken:
- Cut your chicken into strips toss them all into the pan gets that sticky honey pepper sauce all over every bite
- Stir Up the Honey Pepper Sauce:
- Turn heat down low pour in everything for the sauce that’s honey, soy sauce, vinegar, pepper, garlic and onion powders, cayenne let it bubble and thicken a few minutes stirring all the while
- Sear the Chicken:
- Get oil hot in a big skillet over medium drop in the chicken when ready let it sit untouched so it gets a golden outside, flip it once and cook ‘til no longer pink
- Season the Chicken:
- Pat your chicken dry give both sides a good shake of salt and pepper locking in all the tasty flavor once it crisps
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I’m obsessed with the honey it makes the sticky shiny finish that gets everyone excited for dinner I made it once at my niece’s birthday and not a bite was left people were scraping plates
Keeping Leftovers Fresh
Pop leftovers into sealed containers and keep them in the fridge up to three days For best results don’t mix chicken with the mac ahead of time heat them up separately then join together so each stays saucy or creamy
Swaps and Alternatives
If you’re out of chicken breasts swap for thighs or even tofu if you want it meat-free No cheddar Use Monterey Jack or Gouda any cheese that melts easy works
How to Serve It
This pairs up nicely with garlicky broccoli, green beans, or a zesty salad If you’re feeling like indulging bake up some garlic bread to mop up the sauce
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → How can I make sure the chicken stays tender?
Don’t cook the chicken for too long. Let it chill for a few minutes after it’s done so it can keep its juices when you slice it.
- → Is it okay to swap in chicken thighs for this?
You totally can. Thighs are even juicier—just keep an eye on them and cook a little longer if they’re thick.
- → I’m out of apple cider vinegar, what else works?
You can use white vinegar or even rice vinegar. Both pull off the same tangy punch and won’t steal the show from the other flavors.
- → Got any tips for ultra-creamy macaroni?
Whole milk and an extra handful of cheese go a long way. Keep mixing as the cheese melts for that extra-smooth finish.
- → How do I tone down the spice?
If you want things milder, just cut back on the cayenne and dial down the black pepper. Taste as you go until it’s just right.
- → Can any steps be prepped ahead?
Sure—you can cook the macaroni and even whip up the cheese sauce earlier. Just warm them up before eating, and wait to add the chicken at the end for best flavor.