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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Follow the chicken preparation instructions on the package, choosing between baking or frying the strips. Once cooked, set aside and let rest.
- Boil the noodles in salted water until perfectly tender, then drain thoroughly and set aside.
- 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.
- 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.
- Add minced garlic to the cheese sauce and season with salt and pepper to enhance the overall flavor profile.
- 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.
- Submerge the cooked chicken strips completely in the prepared honey pepper sauce, guaranteeing thorough coverage and maximum flavor infusion.
- 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.
- 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