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Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese


  • Author: Christine

Description

This Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese is a delicious fusion of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors. Breaded chicken strips are tossed in a honey pepper glaze, then paired with creamy, cheesy pasta and crispy bacon, making it the ultimate comfort food.


Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken and Pasta:

  • 1 (16 oz) box spiral noodles
  • 1 (25 oz) bag breaded chicken strips (baked or fried)
  • 5 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Fresh basil, for garnish (optional)

For the Honey Pepper Sauce:

  • ¾ cup honey
  • ¼ cup light brown sugar
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce (low sodium)
  • ¼ cup pineapple juice
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 1 tbsp vinegar
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • ¼ tsp cayenne pepper

For the Cheese Sauce:

  • 1 stick butter
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese, freshly shredded
  • ¾ cup colby jack cheese, freshly shredded
  • 23 cloves garlic, minced
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1️⃣ Prepare the chicken:
Cook the breaded chicken strips according to the package instructions, either by baking or frying them until crispy. Once done, set them aside.

2️⃣ Cook the pasta:
Boil the spiral noodles according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

3️⃣ Make the honey pepper sauce:
In a saucepan, combine ¾ cup honey, ¼ cup light brown sugar, 3 tbsp soy sauce, ¼ cup pineapple juice, lemon juice, 1 tbsp vinegar, 1 tsp black pepper, and ¼ tsp cayenne pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 15 minutes until it thickens slightly. Set aside to cool.

4️⃣ Prepare the cheese sauce:
In a large pan, melt 1 stick butter over medium heat. Stir in 2 cups heavy cream and allow it to warm up. Gradually add ½ cup Parmesan, 1 cup mozzarella, and ¾ cup colby jack cheese, stirring after each addition until melted and smooth. Stir in the minced garlic, then season with salt and pepper to taste.

5️⃣ Assemble the pasta:
Toss the cooked pasta in the cheese sauce, ensuring it’s fully coated. Stir in the crumbled bacon for added flavor.

6️⃣ Coat the chicken in honey pepper sauce:
Dip the cooked chicken strips into the honey pepper sauce, making sure they’re fully coated.

7️⃣ Serve:
Plate a generous portion of the cheesy pasta. Top it with the honey pepper chicken strips. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and additional bacon, if desired.

Notes

  • Add extra spice: If you like it spicier, increase the cayenne pepper or drizzle with hot sauce.
  • Vegetarian option: Swap the chicken with plant-based strips and omit the bacon for a vegetarian version.