Description
Honey pepper chicken delivers a tantalizing fusion of flavors that dance across palates with bold, zesty charm. Succulent chicken pieces glazed in golden honey and kissed with a spicy pepper kick promise a memorable meal that will delight taste buds and spark culinary excitement.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Wet Ingredients and Seasoning:
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 cups milk
- 2 tablespoons butter
Dry Ingredients and Spices:
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cheese:
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Pasta:
- 8 ounces macaroni pasta
Garnish:
- Chopped parsley
Instructions
- Prepare chicken by generously seasoning with salt and ground black pepper, ensuring even coverage.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium temperature and sear chicken breasts until they develop a golden-brown exterior and reach full internal doneness, roughly 6-7 minutes per side.
- Transfer cooked chicken to a separate plate, keeping it warm.
- Utilize the same skillet to craft a vibrant sauce by whisking together honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, ground black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and ground cayenne pepper.
- Simmer the sauce mixture, stirring periodically, allowing it to reduce and thicken for approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Slice the chicken into elegant strips and reintroduce them to the skillet, thoroughly coating each piece with the spicy-sweet sauce.
- Simultaneously prepare macaroni by following package instructions, ensuring al dente texture, then drain and set aside.
- Create a smooth cheese sauce foundation by melting butter and incorporating flour, cooking while continuously stirring for one minute.
- Gradually introduce milk, whisking consistently to prevent lumps, and continue cooking until the mixture transforms into a velvety consistency.
- Remove from heat and fold in shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses until completely melted and uniform.
- Season the cheese sauce with salt and pepper, adjusting to personal taste preferences.
- Gently fold cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce, ensuring complete and even coating.
- Plate the creamy macaroni as a base, artfully arranging the honey pepper chicken strips on top.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley to add a vibrant, aromatic finishing touch.
Notes
- Perfectly balance the heat by adjusting cayenne pepper quantity based on personal spice tolerance, ensuring a delightful sweet-spicy combination.
- Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for even cooking and maximum sauce absorption, creating juicy and flavorful meat.
- Choose high-quality sharp cheddar and mozzarella for richer, more complex cheese sauce that complements the chicken’s bold flavor profile.
- For gluten-free variations, substitute all-purpose flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend when making the cheese sauce, maintaining creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 794
- Sugar: 37 g
- Sodium: 1020 mg
- Fat: 29 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 92 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 47 g
- Cholesterol: 116 mg