Description
Sizzling sweet and spicy honey pepper chicken dances alongside creamy macaroni cheese, creating a mouthwatering symphony of flavors. Comfort meets excitement in this irresistible dish that promises to satisfy your cravings and elevate your dinner experience.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 2 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
Seasonings and Condiments:
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil
- 1/2 cup (170 g) honey
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon (5 g) ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 g) garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 g) onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 g) ground cayenne pepper
- Salt and pepper to taste
Pasta and Dairy:
- 8 ounces (226 g) macaroni pasta
- 2 tablespoons (28 g) butter
- 2 tablespoons (16 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 cups (480 ml) milk
- Parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Tenderize chicken breasts with a gentle sprinkle of salt and black pepper, ensuring even seasoning across the surface.
- Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium temperature, carefully placing chicken breasts to achieve a golden-brown exterior. Cook approximately 6-7 minutes per side until thoroughly cooked and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Transfer cooked chicken to a clean plate, preserving the flavorful skillet remnants for sauce creation.
- Craft a vibrant sauce by combining honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, onion powder, and a dash of cayenne pepper in the same skillet. Whisk ingredients together and allow mixture to simmer, reducing and thickening for 2-3 minutes.
- Slice chicken into elegant diagonal strips, then reintroduce to the simmering sauce, gently coating each piece to maximize flavor absorption.
- Simultaneously, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil and cook macaroni until perfectly al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Drain pasta thoroughly, reserving a small amount of starchy cooking water.
- Create a luxurious cheese sauce by melting butter in a separate saucepan, whisking in flour to create a smooth roux. Gradually introduce milk, stirring continuously to prevent lumps, and cook until sauce thickens.
- Remove sauce from heat, incorporating shredded cheddar and parmesan cheeses until completely melted and smooth. Season with salt and white pepper to enhance flavor profile.
- Fold macaroni into cheese sauce, using reserved pasta water if needed to achieve desired creaminess.
- Plate creamy macaroni as a base, artfully arrange honey pepper chicken strips on top, and garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and freshness.
Notes
- Adjust cayenne pepper for personalized heat levels, adding gradually to control spiciness without overwhelming the dish.
- Replace chicken breasts with tofu or plant-based alternatives for a vegetarian version that maintains the sweet and tangy flavor profile.
- Enhance cheese sauce creaminess by using room temperature milk and grating cheese freshly, which helps create smoother texture and prevents clumping.
- Prevent pasta from becoming mushy by cooking precisely to al dente stage and mixing cheese sauce immediately to stop additional cooking process.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 675
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 75 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 41 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg