Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese Delight Recipe

Introduction

This Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese Delight combines crispy, honey-glazed chicken with rich, cheesy macaroni for a comforting meal that’s full of flavor. It’s an indulgent twist on classic mac and cheese perfect for dinner any night of the week.

Ingredients

• 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
• 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
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Soak the chicken pieces in buttermilk for at least 20 minutes to tenderize and add flavor.
2. Step 2: In a bowl, combine 1 cup flour, paprika, salt, and black pepper. This will be your dredging mixture.
3. Step 3: Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat until hot enough for frying.
4. Step 4: Remove chicken from buttermilk and dredge in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess.
5. Step 5: Fry the chicken pieces for about 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
6. Step 6: To make the honey pepper glaze, combine honey, soy sauce, cracked black pepper, and red pepper flakes in a saucepan.
7. Step 7: Simmer the glaze over low heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until slightly thickened.
8. Step 8: Toss the fried chicken in the glaze until evenly coated.
9. Step 9: Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions, then drain and set aside.
10. Step 10: In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in 2 tablespoons flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to form a roux.
11. Step 11: Gradually add whole milk and heavy cream, whisking continuously to avoid lumps.
12. Step 12: Reduce heat and stir in cheddar and mozzarella cheese until fully melted and smooth.
13. Step 13: Season the cheese sauce with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to taste.
14. Step 14: Mix the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce until well combined.
15. Step 15: Spoon the creamy mac and cheese into serving bowls.
16. Step 16: Top each bowl with the honey pepper glazed chicken.
17. Step 17: Garnish with fresh parsley or extra black pepper if desired, and serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

• For extra heat, add more red pepper flakes to the honey glaze or sprinkle on top before serving.
• Substitute chicken thighs for a juicier and more flavorful option.
• Use a mix of cheeses like Monterey Jack or Gouda for a different flavor profile.
• To make ahead, cook the mac and cheese and chicken separately, then reheat and glaze before serving.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop, adding a splash of milk to loosen the sauce if needed. The chicken is best crisped up again in a hot oven or skillet to maintain texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I bake this dish instead of frying the chicken?

Yes, to make it healthier, you can bake the chicken pieces at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes until cooked through and crispy before tossing them in the honey pepper glaze.

Is there a way to make this recipe vegetarian?

To make a vegetarian version, replace the chicken with crispy tofu or seasoned vegetables like cauliflower florets and follow the same breading and glazing steps.

Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese Delight Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 67 reviews

Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese Delight combines crispy fried chicken glazed with a sweet and spicy honey pepper sauce, served atop a rich and cheesy macaroni base. This comforting dish features tender elbow macaroni enveloped in a velvety cheddar and mozzarella cheese sauce, enhanced with garlic and onion powders for extra flavor, making it an indulgent family favorite perfect for dinner.

• Author: Caleb
• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

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Macaroni 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

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

Honey Pepper Glaze

• 1/3 cup honey
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken: Soak the bite-sized chicken pieces in buttermilk for at least 20 minutes to tenderize and flavor the meat.
2. Create the Dredging Mixture: Combine flour, paprika, salt, and black pepper in a bowl, mixing well to coat the chicken evenly.
3. Heat the Oil: Warm vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat, large enough to shallow fry the chicken pieces.
4. Dredge the Chicken: Remove chicken from buttermilk, dredge in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess coating to prevent clumping and ensure even frying.
5. Fry the Chicken: Fry the coated chicken pieces in the hot oil, cooking about 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
6. Make the Honey Pepper Glaze: In a saucepan, combine honey, soy sauce, cracked black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Simmer gently over low heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently to blend flavors and slightly thicken the glaze.
7. Glaze the Chicken: Toss the fried chicken pieces in the warm honey pepper glaze until evenly coated and glossy.
8. Cook the Macaroni: Boil elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
9. Make the Cheese Sauce: Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat; whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to form a roux without browning.
10. Add Milk and Cream: Gradually whisk in whole milk and heavy cream, stirring continuously to prevent lumps and achieve a smooth sauce.
11. Incorporate Cheese: Reduce heat and stir in shredded cheddar and mozzarella until fully melted and the sauce is creamy.
12. Season the Sauce: Add garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to taste, stirring well to balance the flavors.
13. Combine Macaroni and Cheese Sauce: Fold the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce, mixing until noodles are well coated.
14. Assemble the Dish: Spoon the creamy mac and cheese into serving bowls or plates.
15. Top with Glazed Chicken: Place honey pepper glazed chicken pieces on top of the mac and cheese.
16. Garnish and Serve: Optionally garnish with fresh parsley or an extra sprinkle of cracked black pepper before serving to add freshness and color.

Notes

• Soaking the chicken in buttermilk helps tenderize and adds moisture to the fried chicken.
• Adjust the red pepper flakes in the glaze for desired heat level or omit for a milder flavor.
• Use freshly cracked black pepper in the glaze to enhance the peppery kick.
• For crispier chicken, fry in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
• Leftover mac and cheese can be reheated gently on the stove or in the oven with a splash of milk to restore creaminess.
• This dish can be customized with different cheese types like Monterey Jack or gouda for a different flavor profile.

Keywords: Chicken Mac and Cheese, Honey Pepper Chicken, Fried Chicken, Comfort Food, Cheesy Pasta, Crispy Chicken, Honey Glaze