High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter (Print-Friendly Version)
Tender honey garlic chicken over mac and cheese with rich, cheesy sauce and a nutritious high-protein twist.
# What You’ll Need to Make This:
→ Chicken Marinade
01 -
3 chicken breasts, cut into cubes
02 -
30 ml olive oil
03 -
4 garlic cloves, minced
04 -
10 ml smoked paprika
05 -
10 ml garlic powder
06 -
5 ml dried parsley
07 -
10 ml salt
08 -
2.5 ml black pepper
→ For Cooking the Chicken
09 -
45 ml avocado oil or preferred cooking oil
10 -
30 g unsalted butter
11 -
15 ml honey
12 -
30 ml freshly chopped parsley
→ Mac & Cheese
13 -
30 g unsalted butter
14 -
4 garlic cloves, minced
15 -
475 ml heavy cream
16 -
60 g freshly grated mozzarella cheese
17 -
60 g freshly grated cheddar cheese
18 -
340 g elbow macaroni, cooked al dente
19 -
10 ml smoked paprika
20 -
10 ml garlic powder
21 -
10 ml salt
22 -
2.5 ml black pepper
# How to Prepare:
01 -
Combine cubed chicken breasts with olive oil, garlic, smoked paprika, garlic powder, dried parsley, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl. Toss thoroughly to coat and let marinate for 10 minutes.
02 -
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add avocado oil. Add marinated chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, for 10-15 minutes until browned and fully cooked. Reduce heat to low and stir in butter, honey, and chopped parsley, allowing to coat the chicken. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
03 -
Deglaze the same skillet over medium heat with butter. Add minced garlic and sauté for 2-3 minutes until golden and fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream, allowing it to gently simmer.
04 -
Stir in mozzarella, cheddar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until the cheese sauce is melted and smooth.
05 -
Boil elbow macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to halt cooking.
06 -
Fold the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce and let simmer on low heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to integrate flavors.
07 -
Plate the mac and cheese with butter honey garlic chicken on top or alongside. Serve warm or divide evenly into four airtight containers for meal prep.
# Extra Tips:
01 -
For enhanced flavor, allow the chicken to marinate longer if time permits.
02 -
Freshly grated cheese delivers superior meltability and taste compared to pre-shredded options.
03 -
To keep the pasta from overcooking, rinse it briefly after draining.