Description
Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese blends sweet, spicy, and creamy flavors into one unforgettable skillet dinner. It’s budget-friendly, family-approved, and perfect for cozy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Chicken:
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- For the Sauce and Pasta:
- 8 oz elbow macaroni or short pasta
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 2 ½ cups whole milk
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper (or more to taste)
- Salt, to taste
- Optional Garnish:
- Chopped parsley
- Extra honey drizzle
- Crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil salted water and cook pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté the Chicken: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Season chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Cook 6–8 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Make the Cheese Sauce: Melt butter in the same skillet. Whisk in flour to form a roux. Gradually whisk in milk. Simmer and stir until thickened.
- Add Cheese, Honey, and Pepper: Stir in cheeses until melted. Add honey and cracked black pepper. Season to taste.
- Combine: Add chicken and pasta to the sauce. Toss everything together and warm through.
- Serve: Spoon into bowls and garnish with parsley, honey, or chili flakes as desired.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken to save prep time.
- Add sautéed veggies like spinach or broccoli for a nutrient boost.
- Adjust pepper and honey levels to your taste preference.
- Double the recipe for a baked casserole-style dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
Keywords: Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese, Chicken Mac and Cheese Dinner, Easy Chicken Pasta Recipe, Budget Comfort Food, Skillet Macaroni and Cheese