Description

Dive into a cozy, comforting dish that combines the rich, velvety indulgence of mac and cheese with the sweet and spicy notes of honey pepper-glazed chicken. Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese is the ultimate crowd-pleasing meal that’s perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or indulgent weeknight cravings. This layered masterpiece features tender pasta, smoky bacon, and a luscious three-cheese sauce, all topped with a delectable honey pepper-glazed chicken for an unforgettable flavor explosion.

Ingredients

Scale

1 box (16 ounce) spiral pasta or cavatappi
1 bag (25 ounce) breaded chicken strips (frozen, cook per package)
5 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
3/4 cup honey
1/4 cup light brown sugar
3 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup pineapple juice
Juice of 1 lemon
1 tablespoon vinegar (white or apple cider)
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 cup butter
2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan
1 cup freshly shredded mozzarella
3/4 cup freshly shredded Colby Jack
2–3 cloves garlic, minced

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Instructions

Bake or air-fry breaded chicken strips according to package directions until crisp and golden; set on paper towels to rest.
Cook pasta in salted water until al dente, drain, and set aside.
In a saucepan, combine honey, brown sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice, lemon juice, vinegar, black pepper, and cayenne. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer about 15 minutes until slightly thickened; let cool a few minutes off heat.
In a large pan, melt butter over medium-low heat, then pour in heavy cream. Slowly add Parmesan, mozzarella, and Colby Jack, stirring constantly until smooth and velvety. Stir in minced garlic, then season with salt and pepper to taste, keeping the heat low so the sauce stays silky.
Toss cooked pasta with the cheese sauce until well coated. Stir in crumbled bacon. Adjust seasoning if needed.
Slice cooked chicken strips into pieces if desired. Dip or toss chicken in the warm honey pepper sauce until fully coated.
Spoon mac and cheese into bowls or a large serving dish. Top with honey pepper chicken and extra drizzle of sauce. Garnish with chopped fresh basil.

Notes

This dish layers creamy three-cheese mac, smoky bacon, and sweet-spicy honey pepper–glazed chicken for a rich, crowd-pleasing comfort meal that’s perfect for cozy weeknight dinners or indulgent Sunday suppers.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 700
Sugar: 30g
Sodium: 800mg
Fat: 35g
Saturated Fat: 20g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 60g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 40g
Cholesterol: 100mg