Honey Pepper Chicken Mac Cheese (Print View)

Creamy mac and cheese with honey, pepper, cheddar, and chicken for a savory-sweet twist.

# What You'll Need:

→ For the chicken

01 - 1 pound chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
03 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
04 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
05 - Salt, to taste
06 - Black pepper, to taste
07 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ For the sauce

08 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
09 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
10 - 2 cups whole milk
11 - 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
12 - 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
13 - 2 tablespoons honey
14 - 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ For the pasta

15 - 12 ounces elbow macaroni, cooked and drained

→ For garnish

16 - 2 tablespoons honey, for drizzling
17 - Fresh parsley, chopped

# Directions:

01 - Combine chicken pieces with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and sauté until golden brown and fully cooked, about 5–7 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
02 - In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and whisk to form a smooth paste. Cook, stirring frequently, for approximately 1 minute to eliminate raw flour taste.
03 - Gradually pour in whole milk, whisking constantly to prevent lumps and achieve a smooth consistency. Continue cooking and stirring for 3–4 minutes until the sauce thickens.
04 - Add shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses to the thickened sauce. Stir until both cheeses are fully melted and the sauce becomes smooth. Mix in honey and freshly ground black pepper, adjusting seasoning as needed.
05 - Add cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce, stirring until thoroughly coated. Gently fold in the cooked chicken pieces until evenly distributed.
06 - Transfer the pasta mixture to a serving dish. Drizzle with additional honey and garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.

# Notes:

01 - For optimal texture, cook the pasta just until al dente to prevent over-softening during sauce mixing.

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