Description

Sweet & Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken with Creamy Mac & Cheese combines crispy chicken with a sweet and spicy honey pepper sauce, served alongside velvety mac & cheese. A comforting and indulgent dish.

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon paprika

Salt and pepper, to taste

1/2 cup honey

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

For the Mac & Cheese:

1 lb elbow macaroni

2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 cups whole milk

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Salt and pepper, to taste

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Season both sides of the chicken breasts with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 5-7 minutes on each side, until golden brown.
In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, and crushed red pepper flakes.
Pour the honey pepper sauce over the chicken breasts in the skillet and transfer the skillet to the oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F).
While the chicken is baking, cook the macaroni according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
For the mac & cheese, melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk constantly for 1-2 minutes to form a roux.
Gradually whisk in the milk and cook until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes.
Stir in cheddar and Parmesan cheeses, and season with salt and pepper.
Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until well coated.
Serve the sweet and spicy honey pepper chicken alongside the creamy mac & cheese and enjoy!

Notes

For spicier chicken, add more crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the sauce.

Feel free to add other cheeses like gouda or mozzarella to the mac & cheese for variety.

If using chicken tenders, adjust the cooking time as they cook faster.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheat by adding a splash of milk if the mac & cheese thickens too much.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking, Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 700
Sugar: 25g
Sodium: 900mg
Fat: 30g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Unsaturated Fat: 15g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 60g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 40g
Cholesterol: 100mg