Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese recipe. Creamy, cheesy macaroni is topped with sticky, sweet honey pepper chicken for a delicious twist on a classic favorite.
Author:nadia
Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:20 minutes
Total Time:35 minutes
Yield:4 servings 1x
Category:Main Course
Method:Stovetop
Cuisine:American
Diet:Non-Vegetarian
Ingredients
UnitsScale
For the Mac and Cheese:
8oz elbow macaroni or cavatappi pasta
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2cups milk
1/2cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
2cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2cup grated Parmesan cheese
For the Honey Pepper Chicken:
2cups cooked crispy chicken tenders or nuggets, chopped
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
For Garnish:
Chopped green onions for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Cook the Pasta: Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Make the Cheese Sauce: In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux. Slowly add milk and cream, whisking constantly until smooth and thickened, about 4–5 minutes.
Season and Combine: Stir in garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Reduce heat to low and mix in cheddar and Parmesan cheeses until melted and creamy. Add cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and stir to coat.
Prepare the Honey Pepper Chicken: In a separate skillet or saucepan, toss chopped chicken with honey and red pepper flakes. Warm gently until coated and sticky.
Serve: Spoon mac and cheese into bowls and top with honey pepper chicken. Garnish with green onions if desired.
Notes
For a spicy kick, add extra red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce.
Rotisserie chicken or grilled chicken can be used instead of crispy tenders.