Description
Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese Delight is the ultimate comfort dish, combining velvety cheese sauce, crispy seasoned chicken bites, and a warm honey-pepper drizzle. It’s the perfect crowd-pleaser for family dinners or indulgent weeknights.
Ingredients
1 pound elbow macaroni
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 ½ cups milk
½ cup heavy cream
1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Salt to taste
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
¼ cup cornstarch
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ cup panko bread crumbs (optional)
Oil for frying
⅓ cup honey
1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
1 tablespoon chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
1. Place chicken in a bowl with buttermilk, paprika, garlic powder, and salt. Let marinate for 30 minutes or overnight.
2. Mix flour, cornstarch, and black pepper in a shallow bowl. Dredge marinated chicken pieces to coat evenly.
3. Heat oil in a skillet or deep fryer. Fry chicken in batches until golden and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels.
4. Boil elbow macaroni in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
5. In a saucepan, melt butter and whisk in flour to make a roux. Slowly add milk and cream while whisking.
6. Stir in cheddar and mozzarella cheese until smooth. Add salt to taste.
7. Toss cooked pasta into cheese sauce until fully coated. Add a splash of pasta water if needed for looseness.
8. In a small bowl, mix honey and cracked black pepper. Warm slightly to drizzle.
9. Plate mac and cheese, top with crispy chicken bites, and drizzle honey pepper sauce over the top. Garnish with parsley if desired.
Notes
For extra crunch, chill breaded chicken in the fridge for 10–15 minutes before frying.
Prefer a lighter version? Bake the chicken at 425°F for 20–25 minutes.
Add a pinch of cayenne to the honey drizzle if you like a spicy kick.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop + Frying
- Cuisine: American Comfort
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1 ½ cups)
- Calories: 790
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 640mg
- Fat: 42g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 65g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 39g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
Keywords: honey pepper chicken, creamy mac and cheese, comfort food