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Sweet and Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken with Creamy Mac and Cheese

Sweet and Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken with Creamy Mac and Cheese Delight

This Sweet and Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken with Creamy Mac and Cheese combines smoky, zesty chicken with rich, indulgent mac and cheese for a crowd-pleasing meal.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 750

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 4 pieces Boneless, skinless chicken breasts Optionally substitute with chicken thighs for a juicier flavor
  • 2 tablespoons Olive oil Used for sautéing
  • 1 teaspoon Ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon Onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Cayenne pepper Adjust based on spice preference
  • 1 teaspoon Salt Adjust to taste
  • 1/2 cup Honey Star ingredient for glaze
  • 2 tablespoons Apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons Soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon Butter For richness in sauce
For the Mac and Cheese
  • 2 cups Elbow macaroni
  • 2 cups Whole milk
  • 1 cup Shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup Shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 teaspoon Ground mustard
  • 1/4 cup Flour For thickening the cheese sauce

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • saucepan
  • pot

Method
 

Cooking Instructions
  1. Heat the skillet by warming 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering, taking about 2 minutes.
  2. Season 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts generously with ground black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and salt.
  3. Cook the seasoned chicken breasts in the hot skillet for 6-7 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and reaching an internal temperature of 165°F.
  4. Prepare the glaze by adding ½ cup of honey, 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, and 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard in the same skillet, stirring well.
  5. Glaze the chicken by returning it to the skillet, ensuring it’s fully coated in the sticky glaze, and simmer for an additional 2 minutes.
  6. Cook the elbow macaroni in a large pot of boiling salted water for 7-9 minutes until al dente, then drain and set aside.
  7. In a separate saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat, whisk in ¼ cup of flour, and then gradually add 2 cups of whole milk, whisking until thickened.
  8. Add 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese to the thickened sauce, stirring until melted and smooth.
  9. Fold in the drained macaroni into the cheese sauce, mixing gently to ensure every piece is covered.
  10. Serve the glazed chicken alongside a generous helping of creamy mac and cheese.

Nutrition

Serving: 1plateCalories: 750kcalCarbohydrates: 80gProtein: 40gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 15gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 150mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 700mgFiber: 3gSugar: 20gVitamin A: 1000IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 500mgIron: 3mg

Notes

For the best flavor, ensure chicken is well-coated with spices. Perfectly scrape the skillet while preparing the glaze for a rich sauce.

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