Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese Recipe
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this delectable Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese recipe. Creamy, cheesy pasta is topped with flavorful honey pepper chicken strips, creating a dish that’s sure to satisfy your cravings.
- Author: Rita
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking, Boiling, Simmering, Sauteing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Main Ingredients:
- 1 16 ounces box spiral noodles
- 1 25 ounces bag breaded chicken strips
- 5 slices bacon (cooked and crumbled)
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- Basil for garnish
Honey Pepper Sauce:
- 3/4 c honey
- 1/4 c light brown sugar
- 3 tablespoon soy sauce (low sodium)
- 1/4 c pineapple juice
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Cheese Sauce:
- 1 stick butter
- 2 c heavy cream
- 1/2 c shredded parmesan cheese
- 1 c mozzarella cheese (freshly shredded)
- 3/4 c colby jack cheese (freshly shredded)
- 2–3 cloves minced garlic
- Chopped fresh basil
- Prepare the Chicken: Cook the chicken strips according to package instructions. Set aside once cooked.
- Cook the Noodles: Boil spiral noodles 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 it cool.
- Prepare the Cheese Sauce: Melt butter in a pan, add heavy cream and create a cheese sauce. Stir in parmesan, mozzarella, and colby jack cheese gradually. Add minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Mix pasta with cheese sauce, adding bacon for flavor.
- Coat Chicken Strips: Dip chicken strips in the honey pepper sauce.
- Serve: Plate pasta mixture, top with honey pepper chicken strips. Garnish with basil leaves or additional bacon.
- Enjoy: Dive into your delicious Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese!
Notes
- You can bake or fry the chicken strips based on your preference.
- Feel free to customize the dish with your favorite cheeses or additional seasonings.
- For a spicier kick, adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to suit your taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 850
- Sugar: 34g
- Sodium: 1100mg
- Fat: 45g
- Saturated Fat: 26g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 68g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 45g
- Cholesterol: 170mg
Keywords: Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese, Mac and Cheese Recipe, Comfort Food, Cheesy Pasta, Honey Pepper Chicken