Description
This recipe for Sweet and Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken with Creamy Macaroni Cheese is the perfect blend of bold flavors and comforting textures. It combines the heat and sweetness of honey pepper chicken with the rich, gooey goodness of homemade macaroni cheese.
Ingredients
For the Honey Pepper Chicken:
Chicken breasts, boneless and skinless: 2
Salt and pepper: to taste
Olive oil: 1 tablespoon
Honey: 1/2 cup
Soy sauce: 1/4 cup
Apple cider vinegar: 1 tablespoon
Ground black pepper: 1 teaspoon
Garlic powder: 1/2 teaspoon
Onion powder: 1/2 teaspoon
Ground cayenne pepper: 1/4 teaspoon
For the Creamy Macaroni Cheese:
Macaroni pasta: 8 ounces
Butter: 2 tablespoons
All-purpose flour: 2 tablespoons
Milk: 2 cups
Sharp cheddar cheese, shredded: 2 cups
Mozzarella cheese, shredded: 1 cup
Salt and pepper: to taste
Parsley, chopped: for garnish
Instructions
Prepare Chicken: Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium and cook chicken until golden, about 6-7 minutes each side. Remove and set aside.
Make Sauce: In the same skillet, mix honey, soy sauce, vinegar, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne. Simmer until thickened, about 2-3 minutes.
Combine: Slice chicken into strips, return to skillet, and coat with sauce.
Cook Pasta: Boil macaroni until al dente, drain, and set aside.
Make Cheese Sauce: Melt butter in a pot, stir in flour, then gradually whisk in milk until smooth. Cook until thickened, then remove from heat and blend in cheeses until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
Combine Pasta and Sauce: Mix macaroni with cheese sauce.
Serve: Plate macaroni cheese, top with honey pepper chicken, and garnish with parsley.
Notes
- Ingredient Quality: Use high-quality, fresh ingredients where possible. Organic chicken and artisan cheeses can enhance the flavor profile significantly.
- Marinating Time: For deeper flavor, marinate the chicken for up to 24 hours in the refrigerator. The longer the chicken marinates, the more intense the flavors will be.
- Cheese Choices: While sharp cheddar and mozzarella are suggested, feel free to experiment with different cheeses like smoked gouda or a touch of blue cheese for an added depth of flavor.
- Spice Levels: Adjust the amount of ground cayenne pepper according to your heat preference. You can also add a splash of hot sauce to the marinade if you like it extra spicy.
- Gluten-Free Options: To make this dish gluten-free, ensure that all packaged ingredients, such as soy sauce and pasta, are certified gluten-free.
- Serving Suggestion: Serve hot, and consider adding a light, refreshing side such as a cucumber salad to balance the richness of the dish.
- Leftovers: If you have leftovers, they reheat well in the microwave or oven. Add a little milk when reheating the macaroni cheese to keep it creamy.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: Approximately 700 kcal per serving