Description
Savor the deliciousness of Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese, a comforting dish that combines marinated chicken, creamy cheddar cheese sauce, and al dente macaroni, all topped with a crunchy breadcrumb layer. Ideal for family dinners or cozy nights!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup of honey
- 2 tablespoons of black pepper
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon of onion powder
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 8 ounces of elbow macaroni
- 4 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup of milk
- 1/2 cup of heavy cream
- 1/4 cup of unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon of paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
- 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs (for topping)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large bowl, combine honey, black pepper, olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Whisk until smooth.
- Add chicken breasts to the marinade, ensuring they are well-coated. Let sit for at least 30 minutes (or 15 minutes if short on time).
- Place marinated chicken on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F/75°C).
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing into bite-sized pieces.
- While the chicken bakes, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions (about 7-8 minutes).
- Drain macaroni and set aside, tossing with a little olive oil to prevent sticking.
- In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter.
- Sprinkle in flour and whisk continuously for 1-2 minutes to create a roux.
- Gradually pour in milk and heavy cream, whisking until smooth and thickened (about 3-5 minutes).
- Reduce heat to low, add shredded cheddar cheese, paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using). Stir until cheese is melted and sauce is creamy.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked macaroni, sliced chicken, and cheese sauce. Stir gently until well-coated.
- Transfer mixture to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading evenly.
- In a small bowl, mix breadcrumbs with 1 tablespoon of melted butter.
- Sprinkle breadcrumb mixture evenly over the mac and cheese.
- Bake in the oven for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
- Remove from oven and let cool for 5-10 minutes to set.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- For added heat, include the cayenne pepper in the cheese sauce.
- Feel free to substitute the cheddar cheese with your favorite cheese for a different flavor profile.
- This dish can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator before baking. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if cooking from cold.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes