Oh my goodness, let me tell you about this creamy honey pepper chicken mac and cheese recipe! It’s the kind of dish that wraps you in a warm hug and makes your taste buds dance. The combination of sweet honey and a hint of pepper creates this delightful balance that’s just unforgettable. I remember making this for a family gathering last summer, and everyone was coming back for seconds—my cousin even asked for the recipe! Just picture it: golden, cheesy goodness topped with tender chicken, all smothered in that creamy sauce. Seriously, it’s comfort food at its best, and you’re going to fall in love with it just like I did. Trust me, this dish is a crowd-pleaser that will leave everyone asking for more!
Ingredients List
Here’s what you’ll need to whip up this creamy honey pepper chicken mac and cheese. Make sure to gather everything before you start so you can dive right in!
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 1 pound chicken breast, diced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup milk
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
That’s it! Simple, right? You’ll love how these ingredients come together to create a dish that’s rich and satisfying. Don’t forget to have fun while cooking!
How to Prepare Instructions
Alright, let’s dive into making this creamy honey pepper chicken mac and cheese! Follow these steps, and you’ll have a delicious meal ready in no time.
Cooking the Pasta
First things first, grab a pot and cook your elbow macaroni according to the package instructions. Usually, it takes about 8-10 minutes to get that perfect al dente texture. Here’s a little tip: make sure to add a pinch of salt to the water for flavor. Once it’s done, drain it and set it aside while you prepare the rest of the goodness!
Preparing the Chicken
Next up, let’s get that chicken sizzling! Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Toss in your diced chicken breast, along with the salt and black pepper. Cook it for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is nice and browned and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. The smell will be heavenly, trust me!
Making the Cheese Sauce
Now for the star of the show: the cheese sauce! In a separate saucepan, melt 1/4 cup of butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour and cook it for about a minute until it’s golden. Then, gradually whisk in 1 cup of milk, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens. This is where the magic happens! After it thickens, stir in your garlic powder and onion powder. Finally, add in the 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese, mixing until it’s all melted and creamy. You’ll want to keep stirring so it’s smooth and luscious!
Combining Ingredients
Now that everything is ready, it’s time to bring it all together! In a large bowl, combine the cooked macaroni, the delicious chicken, the honey, and that creamy cheese sauce. Mix it all together thoroughly so every bite is bursting with flavor. You want to make sure the sauce coats every piece of pasta and chicken!
Baking the Dish
Finally, transfer your glorious mixture into a baking dish and pop it into a preheated oven at 350°F. Bake it for about 20 minutes, or until it’s bubbly and golden on top. You’ll know it’s done when your kitchen smells amazing and the cheese is perfectly melted. Let it cool for a few minutes, then dig in and enjoy your comforting masterpiece!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This creamy honey pepper chicken mac and cheese is truly a winner, and here’s why you’ll love it:
- Rich, creamy flavor that combines sweet honey with a hint of pepper for a unique twist.
- Easy to prepare, making it perfect for busy weeknights or casual family gatherings.
- Comfort food at its finest—this dish is like a warm hug on a plate!
- Customizable! You can easily add veggies or adjust the sweetness of the honey to suit your taste.
- Leftovers reheat beautifully, allowing you to enjoy this delicious meal again.
- Impressive enough for entertaining yet simple enough for everyday cooking.
Trust me, once you try this recipe, it’ll become a go-to favorite in your kitchen!
Tips for Success
To make sure your creamy honey pepper chicken mac and cheese turns out perfectly every time, here are some handy tips! First, feel free to adjust the amount of honey based on your sweetness preference—if you love it sweeter, go ahead and add a little more! You can also sneak in some veggies like broccoli or spinach for added nutrition and color—just steam them lightly before mixing them in.
For storage, keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, simply reheat in the microwave or oven, adding a splash of milk if it seems a little dry. Trust me, these little tweaks will elevate your dish to new heights!
Nutritional Information
Here’s a quick look at the estimated nutritional information for a serving of this creamy honey pepper chicken mac and cheese. Each serving (about 1 cup) contains approximately 540 calories, 25g of fat, 30g of protein, and 60g of carbohydrates. Keep in mind, these values are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes. Enjoy this delicious dish while keeping these numbers in mind!
FAQ Section
Can I use a different type of cheese? Absolutely! While I love cheddar for its meltiness, you can mix it up with mozzarella, Gouda, or even a sprinkle of Parmesan for extra flavor. Just keep in mind that the texture might change a bit.
Is this creamy honey pepper chicken mac and cheese gluten-free? Yes! As long as you use gluten-free elbow macaroni and all-purpose flour, you’re all set for a gluten-free version. It’s just as delicious!
Can I prepare this dish ahead of time? For sure! You can assemble everything in advance and store it in the fridge. Just be sure to bake it fresh when you’re ready to eat. It’ll still be amazing!
What vegetables can I add? Great question! You can sneak in some steamed broccoli, peas, or even sautéed bell peppers for a pop of color and nutrition. Just make sure to chop them small so they mix well!
How do I store leftovers? Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When reheating, you might want to add a splash of milk to keep it creamy!
Serving Suggestions
To elevate your creamy honey pepper chicken mac and cheese experience, I have a few delightful side dish ideas that pair perfectly! First off, a simple garden salad with fresh greens, cherry tomatoes, and a light vinaigrette adds a refreshing crunch that balances the richness of the mac and cheese. You can also serve some garlic bread or buttery rolls on the side—trust me, they’re perfect for soaking up any leftover cheese sauce!
If you’re feeling a bit adventurous, try roasting some seasonal veggies like Brussels sprouts or carrots. Their caramelized sweetness complements the honey in the dish beautifully. And of course, a glass of crisp white wine or a fizzy sparkling water makes for a lovely beverage choice. These additions will surely round out your meal and leave everyone feeling satisfied and happy!
For more delicious recipes, check out this honey garlic glazed chicken recipe or this comforting chicken noodle soup.
Imprimer
Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese Recipe Bliss
- Temps Total: 45 minutes
- Rendement: 4 servings 1x
- Alimentation: Sans Gluten
Description
A rich and creamy mac and cheese featuring honey pepper chicken.
Ingrédients
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 1 pound chicken breast, diced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup milk
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Cook elbow macaroni according to package instructions; drain and set aside.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced chicken, salt, and black pepper. Cook until chicken is browned and cooked through.
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute.
- Gradually whisk in milk, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens.
- Add garlic powder and onion powder to the sauce. Stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted.
- Combine the cooked macaroni, chicken, honey, and cheese sauce in a large bowl. Mix well.
- Transfer to a baking dish and bake at 350°F for 20 minutes until bubbly.
Notes
- You can add vegetables for added nutrition.
- Adjust honey to taste for sweetness.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Temps De Préparation: 15 minutes
- Temps De Cuisson: 30 minutes
- Catégorie: Main Dish
- Méthode: Baking
- Cuisine: American
La Nutrition
- Taille D'Une Portion: 1 cup
- Calories: 540
- Sucre: 10g
- De Sodium: 800mg
- La graisse: 25g
- Graisses Saturées: 10g
- Les Graisses Insaturées: 15g
- Les Gras Trans: 0g
- Les hydrates de carbone: 60g
- La fibre: 2g
- La protéine: 30g
- Le taux de cholestérol: 80mg
Mots-clés: creamy honey pepper chicken mac and cheese recipe
