Description
A delicious blend of sweet honey and spicy black pepper chicken served with creamy mac and cheese. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner!
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup (85g) honey
- 1 1/2 teaspoons freshly cracked black pepper
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 cups (200g) elbow macaroni
- 2 cups (200g) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 1/2 cups (360ml) whole milk
- 2 tablespoons flour
- Salt to taste
- Optional: 1/4 teaspoon red chili flakes
Instructions
- Dry the chicken: Start by patting the chicken breasts dry with paper towels.
- Season the chicken: Season both sides of the chicken breasts lightly with salt and sprinkle with cracked black pepper.
- Cook the chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for 5-6 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove and let rest.
- Make the sauce: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Then add honey, soy sauce, remaining black pepper, and optional red chili flakes. Let simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Combine the chicken and sauce: Return chicken to the skillet, spoon sauce over, and allow to bubble for a minute.
- Cook the macaroni: Boil salted water in a pot, add elbow macaroni, and cook for 8-9 minutes until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make the cheese sauce: In a saucepan, melt remaining butter, whisk in flour, and slowly add whole milk, cooking until thick.
- Add cheese: Stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted and season to taste.
- Combine mac and cheese: Toss cooked macaroni in the cheese sauce until fully coated.
- Plate and serve: Plate the mac and cheese, slice the chicken, and drizzle with sauce. Garnish with extra black pepper or fresh herbs.
Notes
Storing leftovers is easy. Refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat in a skillet before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing and Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: Honey Pepper Chicken, easy dinner, creamy mac and cheese, quick recipe, comfort food