Description
A delightful fusion of flavors, Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese combines crispy breaded chicken, creamy cheese sauce, and a sweet-and-spicy honey pepper sauce. Perfect for comfort food lovers seeking a twist on classic mac and cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Pasta and Chicken:
- 1 (16 ounces) box spiral noodles
- 1 (25 ounces) bag breaded chicken strips
- 5 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil, for garnish
- Honey Pepper Sauce:
- 3/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce (low sodium)
- 1/4 cup pineapple juice
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Cheese Sauce:
- 1 stick butter
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, freshly shredded
- 3/4 cup colby jack cheese, freshly shredded
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- Chopped fresh basil
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Cook the breaded chicken strips according to package instructions (bake or fry). Set aside when done.
- Cook the Pasta: Boil spiral noodles in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make the Honey Pepper Sauce: Combine honey, brown sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice, lemon juice, vinegar, black pepper, and cayenne pepper in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 15 minutes until slightly thickened. Let cool.
- Prepare the Cheese Sauce: In a large pan, melt butter. Add heavy cream and stir. Gradually add parmesan, mozzarella, and colby jack cheese, stirring well after each addition until smooth. Add minced garlic, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Combine Pasta and Cheese Sauce: Add cooked pasta to the cheese sauce, mixing well. Stir in crumbled bacon.
- Coat the Chicken: Dip cooked chicken strips in honey pepper sauce until fully coated.
- Serve: Plate pasta mixture, top with honey pepper chicken strips, and garnish with basil and extra bacon, if desired.
Notes
For a spicier dish, add more cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes to the honey pepper sauce. Substitute other pasta types like penne or macaroni if spiral noodles are unavailable.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 780 kcal
- Sugar: 27 g
- Sodium: 1100 mg
- Fat: 48 g
- Saturated Fat: 25 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 63 g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 150mg