Description
Are you craving a meal that balances sweet, spicy, and creamy flavors all in one dish? Look no further than this delightful recipe for Sweet and Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken with Creamy Macaroni Cheese. Perfectly seasoned chicken glazed with a honey pepper sauce paired with indulgent, cheesy macaroni — it’s a combination that promises to satisfy your taste buds and leave you wanting more.
Ingredients
For the Honey Pepper Chicken:
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
For the Creamy Macaroni Cheese:
8 ounces macaroni pasta
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Honey Pepper Chicken:
- Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook chicken until golden and cooked through (about 6-7 minutes per side). Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, combine honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper.
- Simmer until slightly thickened (2-3 minutes), stirring occasionally.
- Slice chicken into strips, return to skillet with sauce, coat evenly, and set aside.
- Make the Creamy Macaroni Cheese:
- Cook macaroni according to package instructions, drain, and set aside.
- In a separate pot, melt butter over medium heat, stir in flour, and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Gradually whisk in milk until smooth, cook until thickened (2-3 minutes), stirring constantly.
- Remove from heat, stir in cheddar and mozzarella until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
- Combine pasta with cheese sauce until well coated.
- Serve:
- Plate creamy macaroni cheese, top with honey pepper chicken strips, and garnish with chopped parsley.
Notes
For a spicier dish, adjust cayenne pepper amount in the honey pepper sauce.
Leftovers can be refrigerated for 3-4 days and reheated gently.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 servings
