Introduction

Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese is a delicious twist on a classic comfort dish. Creamy cheese sauce meets tender chicken glazed in a sweet and peppery honey sauce, creating a perfect balance of flavors that’s sure to satisfy your cravings.

The image shows a white bowl filled with creamy macaroni and cheese topped with chunks of grilled chicken. The macaroni is coated in a smooth, light yellow cheese sauce, creating a rich and gooey layer with soft, spiral pasta shapes. On top, there are several pieces of golden-brown grilled chicken that look tender and juicy, adding a slightly textured, seared surface. Small green parsley flakes are sprinkled evenly across the dish along with red chili flakes, adding bits of color and a hint of spice. The dish looks warm, savory, and well-seasoned, set against a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 cups elbow macaroni
1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
1/4 cup honey
2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
Salt, to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

Step 1: Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Step 2: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces and season with salt and 1 teaspoon of black pepper. Cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Step 3: In the same skillet, melt the butter and add the minced garlic. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
Step 4: Stir in the honey and the remaining teaspoon of black pepper. Let it simmer until slightly thickened, about 2-3 minutes.
Step 5: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, tossing to coat the chicken pieces with the honey pepper glaze. Remove from heat and set aside.
Step 6: In a large saucepan, bring the heavy cream to a gentle simmer over low heat. Gradually whisk in the cheddar, mozzarella, and parmesan cheeses until melted and smooth. Season with salt to taste.
Step 7: Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce, stirring gently to coat the pasta well.
Step 8: Fold the honey pepper chicken into the macaroni and cheese, mixing gently to incorporate evenly.
Step 9: Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with freshly chopped parsley.
Step 10: Serve immediately while hot and enjoy your Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese!

Tips & Variations

For extra spice, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the honey glaze.
Try substituting chicken thighs for a juicier, more flavorful dish.
You can use smoked gouda or Monterey Jack in place of mozzarella for a different cheese profile.
To make this dish lighter, swap heavy cream for whole milk, though the sauce will be less rich.

Storage

Store leftover Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave, adding a splash of milk or cream to loosen the sauce if it has thickened.

How to Serve

A close-up showing a plate of creamy macaroni pasta as the base layer, with a smooth, yellow cheese sauce coating each pasta piece. On top, there are pieces of grilled chicken with a light brown grill mark texture and white inside. The chicken pieces are scattered evenly, sprinkled with finely chopped fresh green herbs. Thin strands of shredded white cheese are melted slightly over the chicken and pasta, with small red chili flakes adding a touch of color across the top. The dish rests on a white plate, set against a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the components separately and assemble just before serving. Cook the macaroni and chicken ahead, then combine with the cheese sauce when ready to eat.

Is this dish freezer-friendly?

While it can be frozen, the texture of the creamy cheese sauce may change upon thawing. If freezing, reheat gently and stir well, adding a little milk to refresh the sauce’s creaminess.

Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 381 reviews

Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese is a comforting and flavorful dish combining tender chicken breast glazed in a sweet and spicy honey pepper sauce with creamy three-cheese macaroni. Cooked pasta is enveloped in a rich cheese sauce made from sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and parmesan, then mixed with succulent honey pepper chicken, creating the perfect balance of savory, sweet, and peppery flavors. Garnished with fresh parsley, this recipe is ideal for a hearty family meal that’s both satisfying and easy to prepare.

Author: Dylan
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

2 cups elbow macaroni

Chicken

1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
Salt, to taste
2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground (divided)
1 tbsp olive oil

Sauce

1 cup heavy cream
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
2 tbsp butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup honey

Garnish

Fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

Cook the Pasta: Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside to keep warm.
Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season chicken pieces with salt and 1 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper. Add chicken to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through, approximately 6-8 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
Make Honey Pepper Glaze: Stir in the honey and the remaining 1 teaspoon of black pepper into the butter and garlic mixture. Let it simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened to create a glossy glaze.
Coat the Chicken: Return the cooked chicken pieces to the skillet and toss thoroughly to coat them evenly in the honey pepper glaze. Remove the skillet from heat and set aside.
Prepare Cheese Sauce: In a separate large saucepan, warm the heavy cream over low heat until it begins to gently simmer. Gradually add the shredded cheddar, mozzarella, and grated parmesan cheeses, whisking continuously to melt the cheese fully and create a smooth, creamy sauce. Season with salt to taste.
Combine Pasta and Cheese Sauce: Add the drained elbow macaroni to the cheese sauce, stirring gently to coat the pasta evenly with the creamy cheese mixture.
Incorporate Chicken: Add the honey pepper glazed chicken to the macaroni and cheese and fold gently to distribute it evenly throughout the dish without breaking the pasta or chicken pieces.
Garnish and Serve: Transfer the mac and cheese with chicken to a serving dish. Garnish generously with freshly chopped parsley to add freshness and color.
Enjoy: Serve immediately while hot for the best flavor and texture experience.

Notes

For extra spice, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the honey glaze.
Use freshly shredded cheese rather than pre-shredded for a smoother cheese sauce.
You can substitute chicken thighs if preferred, adjusting cooking time accordingly.
Low-fat milk can replace heavy cream for a lighter version, but the sauce will be less rich.
Garnishing with additional cracked black pepper can enhance the peppery flavor.

Keywords: Mac and Cheese, Honey Pepper Chicken, Comfort Food, Cheesy Pasta, Chicken Dinner