Description
Crispy chicken tossed in sweet honey pepper sauce meets creamy, baked mac and cheese in this comfort food classic.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cubed
- ½ cup buttermilk
- ½ cup cornstarch
- ½ cup flour
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Oil for frying
- ½ cup honey
- ¼ cup soy sauce or coconut aminos
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb elbow macaroni
- 3 tbsp butter
- 3 tbsp flour
- 2½ cups warm milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
Instructions
- Marinate chicken in buttermilk with salt and pepper for 20 minutes.
- Dredge in a mix of flour, cornstarch, and garlic powder. Fry until golden. Set aside.
- In a saucepan, combine honey, soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, black pepper, and chili flakes. Simmer until thickened. Toss with fried chicken.
- Cook macaroni in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make a roux with butter and flour. Gradually whisk in warm milk and cream. Stir until smooth.
- Add cheddar and mozzarella until melted and thick.
- Stir cooked pasta into cheese sauce. Pour into baking dish.
- Top with honey pepper chicken and extra cheese if desired.
- Bake at 375°F for 20 minutes until bubbly and golden.
Notes
For extra crispy chicken, toss in honey pepper sauce just before serving. You can also make this dish ahead of time and refrigerate before baking.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 615
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 730mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 56g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 37g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
Keywords: honey pepper chicken mac and cheese, baked mac and cheese, comfort food, chicken mac recipe