Description
Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese is the ultimate combination of sweet, savory, and creamy flavors that come together in a comforting, hearty dish. Perfect for family dinners, gatherings, or when you’re simply craving indulgent comfort food, this recipe delivers a gourmet twist to a classic favorite. With tender chicken, crispy bacon, cheesy pasta, and a sweet yet spicy honey pepper sauce, this dish is bound to impress.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta and Chicken:
- 1 (16-ounce) box spiral noodles
- 1 (25-ounce) bag breaded chicken strips
- 5 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Basil for garnish
For the Honey Pepper Sauce:
- 3/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce (low sodium)
- 1/4 cup pineapple juice
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
For the Cheese Sauce:
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) butter
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese (freshly shredded)
- 3/4 cup colby jack cheese (freshly shredded)
- 2–3 cloves minced garlic
- Chopped fresh basil
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
- Begin by cooking the spiral noodles according to the package instructions.
- Once cooked, drain the noodles and set them aside.
Step 2: Bake the Chicken
- Prepare the breaded chicken strips as per the package directions.
- After cooking, cut the strips into bite-sized pieces.
Step 3: Prepare the Bacon
- In a skillet, cook the bacon until crispy.
- Remove from the skillet, crumble, and set aside for topping.
Step 4: Make the Honey Pepper Sauce
- In a medium saucepan, combine honey, light brown sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice, lemon juice, vinegar, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
- Heat over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens slightly. Set aside.
Step 5: Prepare the Cheese Sauce
- In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
- Stir in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Gradually add the parmesan, mozzarella, and colby jack cheeses, stirring constantly until melted and smooth.
- Add chopped fresh basil for additional flavor.
Step 6: Combine the Ingredients
- Add the cooked noodles to the cheese sauce, stirring to coat evenly.
- Stir in the chicken pieces and honey pepper sauce, reserving some sauce for drizzling on top.
Step 7: Assemble and Serve
- Transfer the mac and cheese mixture to a serving dish.
- Top with crumbled bacon and drizzle the remaining honey pepper sauce.
- Garnish with fresh basil for a pop of color and serve immediately.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking and Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion (1/6th of the dish)
- Calories: 650 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 820 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 125 mg
Keywords: Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese, Sweet and Spicy Pasta, Comfort Food, Cheese Sauce,