Description
This Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese Delight is the ultimate comfort food with a gourmet twist. Velvety smooth mac and cheese meets crispy, honey-glazed pepper chicken for an irresistible combination of creamy, crunchy, sweet, and spicy flavors. Perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions, this dish is guaranteed to impress!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Mac and Cheese:
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Honey Pepper Chicken:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Vegetable oil for frying
For the Honey Pepper Glaze:
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
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Prepare the Chicken:
- Soak chicken pieces in buttermilk for at least 20 minutes.
- In a bowl, mix flour, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Dredge chicken in the flour mixture and shake off excess.
- Fry until golden brown and crispy (about 4-5 minutes per side). Place on a paper towel-lined plate.
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Make the Honey Pepper Glaze:
- In a saucepan, combine honey, soy sauce, cracked black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Simmer over low heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Toss crispy chicken in the glaze to coat evenly.
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Cook the Macaroni and Cheese Sauce:
- Cook elbow macaroni according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and whisk for 1-2 minutes.
- Slowly add milk and heavy cream, whisking continuously.
- Reduce heat and stir in cheddar and mozzarella cheese until melted.
- Season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
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Assemble the Dish:
- Mix cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce.
- Spoon mac and cheese into serving bowls.
- Top with honey pepper glazed chicken.
- Garnish with fresh parsley or extra black pepper (optional).
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes