Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac (Print Version)

Creamy mac and cheese with sweet-spicy honey pepper chicken bites, perfect for cozy comfort food meals.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken Preparation

01 - 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into cubes
02 - 2 tablespoons honey
03 - 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
04 - Salt, to taste

→ Macaroni and Cheese

05 - 8 ounces elbow macaroni
06 - 2 cups whole milk
07 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
08 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
09 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, or a blend of cheddar and mozzarella
10 - Salt, to taste
11 - Black pepper, to taste

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Season cubed chicken with salt and freshly cracked black pepper. In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook the chicken until golden brown on all sides.
02 - Drizzle honey over the cooked chicken. Toss and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, allowing the honey to form a glossy glaze. Transfer the glazed chicken to a plate and set aside.
03 - Boil elbow macaroni in salted water according to package directions. Drain well and set aside.
04 - In the same pot, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour to make a roux, cooking for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk until mixture is smooth and slightly thickened. Add shredded cheese, stirring until fully melted and creamy. Season sauce with salt and pepper.
05 - Fold the drained macaroni and honey pepper chicken into the cheese sauce until evenly coated. Serve immediately, garnished with extra cracked black pepper if desired.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Easy enough for a weeknight but special enough for a gathering
  • Takes less than one hour from start to finish
  • The honey pepper glaze offers a sweet heat that surprises every bite
  • Family friendly and customizable to your spice preference
02 -
  • High protein and satisfying enough as a full meal
  • That creamy sauce will thicken as it cools so stir in a splash of warm milk if reheating
  • This dish makes comfort food exciting with minimal extra work
03 -
  • Always use freshly cracked black pepper for the best aroma and lift
  • Low and slow is the secret to melting cheese smoothly into the sauce
  • Do not rush the honey glazing step so each chicken bite is truly coated and sticky
  • If you want more punch add chili flakes to the glaze or some cayenne to the sauce
  • My family always requests this after a busy weekend because it feels thoughtful but comes together easily every time

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