Description

Ready to level up your dinner routine? This Sweet & Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken with Creamy Mac & Cheese is the ultimate comfort food mash-up. It’s an easy dinner recipe that combines crispy, sticky-glazed chicken with rich and velvety mac and cheese—making it a perfect choice for anyone looking for hearty food ideas, quick dinner wins, or just an indulgent treat. Think sweet heat, creamy goodness, and total flavor explosion. If you’re into bold meals, easy recipes, or comforting dinner ideas that taste like a hug in a bowl, this one’s for you.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken:

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Salt and freshly cracked black pepper (to taste)
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp butter
3 tbsp honey
1 tbsp soy sauce
2 cloves garlic, minced

For the Mac & Cheese:

8 oz elbow macaroni
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp flour
1 cup whole milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Salt (to taste)
Optional: fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

Cut chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces. Pat dry and season with salt and pepper.
In a skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium-high heat. Sear chicken in batches until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
In the same skillet, melt a little more butter and sauté garlic until fragrant. Add honey and soy sauce. Simmer for 1–2 minutes.
Return chicken to the skillet. Toss to coat in the glaze and cook for 2–3 more minutes until sticky and caramelized.
Meanwhile, cook elbow macaroni in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a separate saucepan, melt butter and whisk in flour. Cook for 1 minute, then slowly add milk and cream, whisking until smooth.
Stir in cheddar and mozzarella until melted and creamy. Season with salt.
Add macaroni to the sauce and mix well. If needed, thin with a splash of milk.
Serve mac & cheese in bowls, top with glazed chicken, and garnish with parsley if desired.