Name: Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese: A Flavorful Delight!
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb boneless chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces; 1 cup buttermilk (or milk + 1 tsp lemon juice); 1 cup flour; 1 tsp paprika; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 1/2 tsp salt; Oil for frying; 1/4 cup honey; 2 tbsp soy sauce; 1 tbsp hot sauce (or more to taste); 1/2 tsp black pepper; 1 tbsp melted butter; 12 oz elbow macaroni; 2 tbsp butter; 2 tbsp flour; 2 cups milk; 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese; 1/2 cup mozzarella (optional, for creaminess); 1/2 tsp garlic powder; Salt & pepper to taste

Description

Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese is a delightful dish that combines crispy honey pepper chicken with creamy macaroni and cheese, creating a perfect balance of sweet and spicy flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb boneless chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces
1 cup buttermilk (or milk + 1 tsp lemon juice)
1 cup flour
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp salt
Oil for frying
1/4 cup honey
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp hot sauce (or more to taste)
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp melted butter
12 oz elbow macaroni
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp flour
2 cups milk
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup mozzarella (optional, for creaminess)
1/2 tsp garlic powder
Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

Prepare Chicken: Soak chicken in buttermilk for 20–30 minutes. Mix flour, paprika, garlic powder, pepper, and salt. Coat chicken pieces in seasoned flour. Fry in hot oil until golden & crispy (or air fry at 375°F for 12–15 mins). Toss fried chicken in honey pepper sauce.
Make Honey Pepper Sauce: Whisk together honey, soy sauce, hot sauce, black pepper, and melted butter. Set aside.
Cook the Mac & Cheese: Cook pasta according to package directions, drain. In a pan, melt butter. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in milk and cook until thickened. Add cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth & creamy. Mix in cooked pasta.
Assemble: Spoon creamy mac & cheese into bowls. Top with honey pepper chicken bites. Drizzle extra honey pepper sauce. Garnish with parsley (optional).

Notes

Best served warm.
Adjust the amount of hot sauce to your spice preference.
For extra creaminess, add more mozzarella cheese.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Frying and Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 650
Sugar: 10g
Sodium: 800mg
Fat: 30g
Saturated Fat: 15g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 70g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 35g
Cholesterol: 100mg

Keywords: Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese, Chicken Mac and Cheese, Comfort Food