Description
Craving a bold, comforting twist on a classic favorite? This Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese is the ultimate fusion of crispy fried chicken bites glazed in a sweet peppery honey sauce, nestled atop ultra-creamy, cheesy macaroni. It’s the perfect dish for anyone looking for easy dinner ideas, quick comfort food, or a crowd-pleasing recipe that brings serious flavor. Whether you need a weeknight meal, family dinner, or a standout addition to your food ideas list—this one’s a keeper.
Ingredients
225g elbow macaroni
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
100g all-purpose flour
2 large eggs
150g panko breadcrumbs
3 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon freshly cracked black pepper
4 tablespoons butter, divided
2 cups whole milk (warmed)
200g sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
100g mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon chopped parsley (optional)
Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni until al dente, drain, and set aside.
2. Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces. Season with salt and garlic powder.
3. Set up three bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with panko breadcrumbs.
4. Dredge chicken in flour, dip in egg, then coat in panko.
5. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Fry chicken in batches for 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Drain on paper towels.
6. In a saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Add warm milk gradually while whisking.
7. Stir in cheddar and mozzarella until melted and smooth. Season with garlic powder and salt.
8. In a small pan, melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Stir in honey and cracked black pepper. Simmer for 2 minutes.
9. Add cooked pasta to cheese sauce and stir to coat.
10. Transfer mac and cheese to a serving dish. Top with crispy chicken.
11. Drizzle honey pepper glaze generously over the chicken.
12. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
Warm your milk before adding it to the cheese sauce to prevent clumping and ensure smooth consistency.
For an extra crispy coating, double-dip the chicken in egg and panko before frying.
Don’t drizzle the glaze until just before serving to keep the chicken crispy.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (¼ of recipe)
- Calories: 780
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 840mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 64g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 155mg
Keywords: creamy mac and cheese, crispy chicken, honey pepper glaze, easy dinner, comfort food, chicken pasta, family meal, dinner ideas