Description
A comforting and flavorful dish combining tender honey pepper glazed chicken with creamy, cheesy macaroni. This stovetop Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese blends sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses with al dente elbow macaroni, creating a delicious, family-friendly main course that’s quick to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni
Chicken
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons honey
Cheese Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- Extra black pepper
- Chopped parsley
Instructions
- Cook the macaroni: Prepare the elbow macaroni according to the package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside to keep warm.
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces seasoned with cracked black pepper and salt. Cook until the chicken is golden brown and fully cooked, approximately 6–8 minutes. Add the honey, tossing the chicken to coat evenly, and continue cooking for another minute to glaze. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Make the cheese sauce: In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux. Slowly add the whole milk while whisking constantly. Continue stirring until the sauce thickens, about 4–5 minutes. Lower the heat and stir in the shredded sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and grated Parmesan cheeses until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Combine pasta and chicken: Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir to coat thoroughly. Gently fold in the honey pepper chicken pieces to merge all flavors.
- Serve: Spoon the mac and cheese into bowls or plates, garnish with extra cracked black pepper and chopped parsley as desired. Serve warm.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add a dash of hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the cheese sauce.
- You can substitute chicken tenders or use rotisserie chicken to reduce cooking time.
- Ensure macaroni is cooked al dente to prevent mushiness in the final dish.
