Description
Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese Delight is a rich and comforting pasta dish featuring tender seasoned chicken, creamy three-cheese sauce, and a subtle sweet honey pepper glaze. The combination of savory, creamy, and lightly sweet flavors creates a restaurant-style comfort meal at home.
Ingredients
- 12 oz elbow macaroni or cavatappi pasta
- 1 lb boneless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, freshly shredded
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Season chicken with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet and cook chicken for 5–7 minutes until golden and fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pan, melt butter and stir in honey. Simmer for 1 minute.
- Return chicken to the pan and coat evenly in the honey pepper glaze.
- In a saucepan over low heat, warm heavy cream and gradually whisk in cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan until smooth and creamy.
- Add cooked pasta into the cheese sauce and mix until fully coated.
- Top pasta with honey pepper chicken and garnish with parsley.
Notes
- Use low heat when melting cheese to prevent graininess.
- Freshly shredded cheese melts more smoothly than pre-shredded.
- Adjust honey and pepper to balance sweetness and spice.
- Add vegetables like broccoli or spinach for extra nutrition.
- Chicken thighs can be used for a juicier texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 710
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 820 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 58 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 42 g
- Cholesterol: 145 mg
