Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese (Print-Friendly Version)
Creamy mac and cheese topped with honey-glazed chicken, crispy bacon, and fresh basil for a comforting meal.
# What You’ll Need to Make This:
→ Pasta and Chicken
01 -
450 g spiral pasta
02 -
710 g breaded chicken strips
→ Cheese Sauce
03 -
113 g unsalted butter
04 -
480 ml heavy cream
05 -
60 g shredded parmesan cheese
06 -
115 g freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
07 -
85 g freshly shredded colby jack cheese
08 -
2 to 3 garlic cloves, minced
09 -
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Honey Pepper Sauce
10 -
180 ml honey
11 -
55 g light brown sugar
12 -
45 ml low sodium soy sauce
13 -
60 ml pineapple juice
14 -
Juice of 1 lemon
15 -
15 ml vinegar
16 -
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
17 -
0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper
→ Garnishes
18 -
5 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
19 -
Chopped fresh basil, for garnish
# How to Prepare:
01 -
Prepare breaded chicken strips according to package instructions. Bake or fry until fully cooked and crispy, then set aside.
02 -
Cook spiral pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain thoroughly and reserve.
03 -
In a saucepan, combine honey, brown sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice, lemon juice, vinegar, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened. Allow to cool briefly.
04 -
Melt butter in a large pan over medium heat. Add heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Gradually incorporate parmesan, mozzarella, and colby jack cheese, stirring between each addition until melted and smooth. Add minced garlic and season with salt and black pepper to taste.
05 -
Add cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and mix thoroughly to ensure all noodles are well coated. Stir in crumbled bacon for added flavor.
06 -
Dip the prepared chicken strips in the honey pepper sauce to coat them evenly.
07 -
Plate pasta with cheese sauce, top with honey pepper glazed chicken strips, and garnish with fresh basil and additional bacon if desired.
# Extra Tips:
01 -
For a gluten-free adaptation, substitute the spiral pasta with certified gluten-free pasta and use gluten-free breaded chicken strips or prepare your own using gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond flour.