Zesty Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese Recipe for Comfort

Crafting a delectable honey pepper chicken mac and cheese promises a mouthwatering adventure for comfort food enthusiasts.

Creamy pasta meets zesty protein in this irresistible culinary creation.

Bold flavors dance across each forkful, blending sweet and spicy notes seamlessly.

Unexpected ingredients elevate this classic dish into something spectacular.

You can easily master this crowd-pleasing recipe with simple techniques.

Perfectly balanced seasonings create a symphony of taste that will leave everyone craving more.

Why Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese Is Crave-Worthy

• Savor Diverse Flavor Combinations: A delightful blend of sweet honey, spicy peppers, and creamy cheese creates an irresistible taste explosion that will surprise and delight your taste buds.
• Elevate Comfort Food: This mac and cheese transforms a classic dish into a gourmet experience by adding juicy chicken strips and a complex, tangy honey pepper sauce that takes the meal to new culinary heights.
• Quick and Customizable Meal: Easily adaptable recipe allows for multiple cooking methods like baking or frying chicken, giving home cooks flexibility to match their preferences and available ingredients.
• Crowd-Pleasing Potential: Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or casual gatherings where everyone craves a satisfying and flavorful meal that combines familiar comfort with exciting taste profiles.

What You Need for Honey Pepper Mac and Cheese

• Chicken Strips: Pre-cooked and ready to add a tasty protein punch.
• Bacon: Crispy bits for extra flavor and crunch.

• Heavy Cream: Rich and smooth base for cheese sauce.
• Parmesan Cheese: Sharp and salty cheese for depth.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Creamy and stretchy cheese for texture.
• Colby Jack Cheese: Mild and melty cheese for balanced flavor.

• Honey: Sweet golden goodness for glaze.
• Brown Sugar: Caramel-like sweetness for depth.
• Soy Sauce: Salty umami flavor enhancer.
• Pineapple Juice: Tangy tropical liquid for sauce.
• Lemon Juice: Bright citrus punch.
• Vinegar: Tart and acidic sauce component.
• Black Pepper: Warm and spicy seasoning.
• Cayenne Pepper: Fiery heat booster.

• Pasta Noodles: Classic mac and cheese foundation.
• Butter: Smooth and rich sauce starter.
• Garlic: Aromatic flavor enhancer.
• Basil Leaves: Fresh green garnish.
• Salt: Essential seasoning for balanced taste.

How to Make Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese

Step 1: Prepare Chicken

Cook chicken strips according to package instructions.

You can choose to bake or fry them until they’re golden and fully cooked.

Set the chicken aside while you prepare the other components.

Step 2: Cook Pasta

Boil the pasta in salted water following package directions.

Cook until the noodles reach al dente perfection.

Drain the pasta completely and set aside.

Step 3: Create Honey Pepper Sauce

• Honey
• Brown sugar
• Soy sauce
• Pineapple juice
• Lemon juice
• Vinegar
• Black pepper
• Cayenne pepper

Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.

Let it cool down for a few minutes.

Step 4: Craft Creamy Cheese Sauce

Melt butter in a pan, then pour in heavy cream.

• Parmesan
• Mozzarella
• Colby jack

Stir in minced garlic and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Continue stirring until the cheese melts completely and creates a smooth sauce.

Step 5: Combine Pasta and Cheese Sauce

Mix the cooked pasta into the cheese sauce.

Ensure every noodle gets coated with the creamy goodness.

Fold in crispy bacon pieces for an extra flavor punch.

Step 6: Coat Chicken in Honey Pepper Glaze

Dip the cooked chicken strips into the honey pepper sauce, making sure they’re completely covered in the sticky, spicy glaze.

Step 7: Plate and Garnish

Spoon the cheesy pasta onto serving plates.

Arrange the honey pepper glazed chicken strips on top.

For a final touch, sprinkle some fresh basil leaves or additional crispy bacon bits.

Step 8: Serve and Savor

Dive into your delectable Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese!

Enjoy the perfect blend of creamy, spicy, and sweet flavors in every single bite.

Helpful Tips for Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese

• Swap frozen chicken strips with grilled, rotisserie, or air-fried chicken for varied textures and flavors.
• Adjust cayenne pepper quantity to make the dish mild or extra spicy according to personal heat tolerance.
• Remove cheese sauce from heat when just melted to prevent grainy or separated texture and maintain smooth consistency.
• Caramelize minced garlic before adding to cheese sauce to enhance overall umami and richness of the mac and cheese.
• Prepare honey pepper sauce and cheese sauce separately in advance, storing them in refrigerator, then reheat and combine when ready to serve for convenience.

Saving and Reheating Mac and Cheese Leftovers

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the dish fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Keep chicken and mac and cheese in different containers to maintain their individual textures and prevent sogginess.
• Warm mac and cheese in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of milk to restore creamy consistency. Stir gently to prevent sticking.
• Reheat in short 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly and prevent drying out.

What Tastes Great with Honey Pepper Mac and Cheese

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc cuts through the richness of the mac and cheese, balancing the sweet and spicy honey pepper chicken.
• Complement with Refreshing Craft Beer: Citrusy IPA or wheat beer enhances the tangy and sweet flavors, creating a perfect harmony with the dish's complex taste profile.
• Match with Zesty Side Salad: Light mixed green salad with citrus vinaigrette helps cleanse the palate between rich bites of cheesy pasta and spicy chicken.
• Serve Alongside Pickled Vegetables: Tangy pickled cucumber or radish slices provide a sharp contrast to the creamy mac and cheese, adding brightness and cutting through the heaviness.

Delicious Spins on Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese

• Gluten-Free Delight: Replace regular pasta with gluten-free pasta made from rice, corn, or chickpea flour. Use gluten-free soy sauce and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Vegetarian Comfort: Swap chicken strips with crispy tofu or plant-based chicken alternatives. Maintain the honey pepper sauce and cheese sauce for a protein-packed vegetarian version.
• Low-Carb Option: Substitute pasta with spiralized zucchini noodles or cauliflower mac. Keep the creamy cheese sauce and honey pepper chicken for a lighter, lower-carbohydrate meal.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream. Replace dairy cheeses with nutritional yeast or dairy-free cheese alternatives made from nuts or soy. Ensure all other ingredients remain the same.

FAQs

• What makes the honey pepper sauce unique?

The honey pepper sauce combines sweet honey, brown sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice, and a kick of cayenne pepper, creating a complex, tangy-sweet flavor profile that perfectly coats the chicken.

• Can I use different types of cheese?

Absolutely! While the recipe uses parmesan, mozzarella, and colby jack, you can experiment with other melting cheeses like cheddar or gouda to suit your taste preferences.

• Is this dish spicy?

The dish has a mild to moderate heat level from black pepper and cayenne pepper. You can adjust the cayenne amount to make it more or less spicy according to your heat tolerance.

• Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, simply substitute the regular pasta with gluten-free pasta and ensure your soy sauce is gluten-free. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free.

Honey Pepper Chicken Mac And Cheese Recipe

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4.9 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Comfort meets excitement in this honey pepper chicken mac and cheese, blending creamy pasta with zesty spiced chicken. Cheesy noodles and crispy chicken create a bold flavor journey you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 16 ounces (454 grams) box spiral noodles
• 1 25 ounces (709 grams) bag breaded chicken strips
• 5 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

Seasonings:

• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

Garnish:

• Basil for garnish

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Instructions

1. Follow the chicken preparation instructions on the package, choosing between baking or frying the strips. Once cooked, set aside and let rest.
2. Boil the noodles in salted water until perfectly tender, then drain thoroughly and set aside.
3. Craft the honey pepper sauce by whisking together honey, brown sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice, lemon juice, vinegar, black pepper, and cayenne pepper in a saucepan. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce heat and simmer for approximately 15 minutes until the sauce develops a slightly thickened consistency.
4. In a separate pan, melt butter and introduce heavy cream to create a luxurious base for the cheese sauce. Gradually incorporate parmesan, mozzarella, and colby jack cheeses, stirring continuously until smooth and fully integrated.
5. Add minced garlic to the cheese sauce and season with salt and pepper to enhance the overall flavor profile.
6. Fold the prepared noodles into the cheese sauce, ensuring each pasta strand is evenly coated. Gently mix in crispy bacon pieces for an additional layer of complexity.
7. Submerge the cooked chicken strips completely in the prepared honey pepper sauce, guaranteeing thorough coverage and maximum flavor infusion.
8. Plate the cheesy pasta as a foundation, then artfully arrange the honey pepper-glazed chicken strips on top. Optional: Garnish with fresh basil leaves or extra bacon crumbles for visual appeal and texture.
9. Serve immediately and savor the harmonious blend of flavors in this decadent mac and cheese creation.

Notes

• Choose chicken strips that are uniform in size for even cooking and consistent flavor distribution.
• Experiment with different cheese combinations like smoked gouda or sharp cheddar to customize the mac and cheese base.
• Adjust honey pepper sauce spice levels by reducing or increasing cayenne pepper according to personal heat tolerance.
• Consider gluten-free alternatives like gluten-free pasta and tamari sauce for those with dietary restrictions.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 600
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 1200 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 70 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg