High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese

Chicken with Mac and Cheese is one of those combinations that sounds too good to be true until you actually make it and realize you’ve been missing out your entire life.

So here’s the backstory—I was trying to meal prep for the week (again, because I never learn) and had leftover rotisserie chicken, a box of protein pasta, and this random jar of honey in my pantry that I impulse-bought at Trader Joe’s. My husband looked at me and said “just make something with that” which is both helpful and completely unhelpful at the same time.

What came out was this high protein mac and cheese with chicken situation that my whole family now requests at least twice a week. My 10-year-old literally said “Mom, this is better than restaurant food” and I’m not gonna lie, I teared up a little.

The first version wasn’t this good though. I made the sauce too thick (used too much flour, it was like cement), overcooked the chicken (dry as cardboard), and forgot the garlic entirely. My husband ate it but made that face. You know the one.

Version 2.0 is what I’m sharing here, and it’s become my go-to for busy weeknights when I want something that feels indulgent but also has actual protein and isn’t just carbs and cheese (though let’s be honest, there’s plenty of cheese).

Why This Chicken Mac and Cheese Recipe Works :

Look, I’ve tried making chicken with mac & cheese a bunch of different ways. Buffalo chicken mac and cheese? Good but too spicy for my kids. BBQ chicken with mac and cheese? Felt heavy and too sweet. Regular chicken mac and cheese? Fine but boring.

This honey garlic butter version hits different. The sweetness from the honey balances the garlic and butter in this way that makes the whole dish taste… expensive? Like something you’d pay $18 for at a chain restaurant but you made it at home in 30 minutes wearing sweatpants.

And here’s the thing about making it high-protein—I use protein pasta (Banza or Barilla Protein+) and add extra chicken. So you’re getting like 40+ grams of protein per serving which means you’re actually full after eating it. Revolutionary concept, I know.

The Protein Chicken Mac and Cheese Hack :

When I say “high protein,” I mean it. Regular mac and cheese with chicken is fine but this version is specifically designed for people who track macros or just want to feel less guilty about eating comfort food for dinner.

The protein breakdown:

• Protein pasta instead of regular (adds 10g per serving)
• Extra chicken breast (another 30g per serving)
• Greek yogurt mixed into the cheese sauce (adds 5g plus makes it creamy)
• Real cheese because we’re not animals (some protein but mostly delicious)

I discovered the Greek yogurt trick by accident when I ran out of heavy cream one night. Stirred in some plain Greek yogurt and the sauce got SO creamy and tangy in a good way. My neighbor Sarah (who’s a nutritionist) said I accidentally made it healthier and I’m taking that as a win.

Ingredients :

For the honey garlic butter chicken:

• 1.5 lbs chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 3 tablespoons butter (don’t skimp)
• 4-5 cloves garlic, minced (I use way more because I’m obsessed with garlic)
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, my kids hate spice)
• Salt and pepper

For the mac and cheese:

• 12 oz protein pasta (I use Banza chickpea shells or Barilla Protein+ elbows)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 2 cups milk (whole milk works best)
• 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar (don’t buy pre-shredded, it’s coated in stuff that makes it not melt right)
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
• Salt, pepper, garlic powder

Shopping note: The protein pasta can be pricey but it’s worth it. I buy it in bulk from Costco now because we go through so much of it.

How to Make This :

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Boil water (use a lot, like fill the pot 3/4 full), salt it heavily (pasta water should taste like the ocean), and cook the protein pasta according to package directions. Usually 7-9 minutes.

Protein pasta can get mushy FAST if you overcook it. Set a timer. I learned this the hard way after making a batch that was basically pasta mush and had to start over. My husband was not happy about dinner being delayed.

Drain and set aside. Don’t rinse it—that’s pasta crime.

Step 2: Make the Honey Garlic Butter Chicken

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper.

Melt 3 tablespoons butter in the pan. Add chicken and cook 6-8 minutes until golden and cooked through. Don’t crowd the pan or it’ll steam instead of getting that nice golden color.

Remove chicken to a plate. In the same pan, add minced garlic (so much garlic). Cook for like 30 seconds until it smells amazing but DON’T let it burn. Burned garlic is bitter and ruins everything.

Add honey and soy sauce. Stir and let it bubble for a minute. It’ll look thin but that’s normal—it thickens as it cools.

Add chicken back to the pan and toss to coat. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes if using. Turn off heat.

Step 3: Make the Cheese Sauce

In a medium pot, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add flour and whisk for about a minute. It’ll look like wet sand. This is your roux—don’t skip this step or your sauce will be lumpy.

Slowly pour in milk while whisking constantly. Like, don’t stop whisking. The key is—oh wait, I forgot to mention—make sure your milk isn’t ice cold from the fridge. Let it sit out for a few minutes or the temperature shock can make things weird.

Keep whisking until the sauce thickens, about 3-4 minutes. It should coat the back of a spoon.

Turn heat to low. Stir in Greek yogurt until smooth. Then add all the cheese in handfuls, stirring after each addition until melted. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste.

Step 4: Combine Everything

Add cooked pasta to the cheese sauce. Stir gently to coat. If it’s too thick, add a splash of pasta water or milk.

Add most of the honey garlic chicken (save some for topping). Stir to combine.

Step 5: Serve

Transfer to serving bowls. Top with remaining chicken pieces and drizzle any extra honey garlic sauce from the pan over the top.

Optional: sprinkle with chopped parsley or green onions if you want to feel fancy. I usually skip this because I’m lazy and my family doesn’t care.

Hot Honey Chicken and Mac and Cheese Variation :

If you want to make this a hot honey chicken and mac and cheese version (which is SO good), just add more red pepper flakes to the honey garlic sauce. Like, 2-3 teaspoons instead of 1. And drizzle some Mike’s Hot Honey on top when serving.

I make this version for my husband and myself after the kids go to bed sometimes. Adult dinner. We’re living the dream.

Mac N Cheese Chicken: Why the Combo is Perfect

The thing about mac n cheese chicken as a combo is that they balance each other perfectly. The chicken adds protein and substance. The mac and cheese adds comfort and creaminess. Together? Magic.

I’ve tried this with different chicken preparations:

• Grilled chicken (good but a little dry)
• Rotisserie chicken from the store (VERY good and super fast)
• Chicken thighs instead of breasts (more flavorful, slightly higher fat)
• Leftover baked chicken (works in a pinch)

The honey garlic butter preparation is my favorite though because the sweet-savory sauce mixes into the mac and cheese and creates this whole unified dish instead of just “chicken on top of mac.”

Healthy Chicken and Broccoli Mac and Cheese Addition :

Want to make this feel even healthier? Add broccoli. I know, groundbreaking advice.

But seriously—the healthy chicken and broccoli mac and cheese variation is what I make when I’m feeling like I need vegetables in my life. Steam some broccoli florets (or use frozen and microwave them), chop them up, and stir them into the mac and cheese before adding the chicken.

My daughter hates vegetables but somehow will eat broccoli when it’s covered in cheese sauce. Parenting win.

Storage and Meal Prep Tips :

This keeps in the fridge for about 4 days in an airtight container. I usually make a big batch on Sunday and portion it out for lunches.

To reheat: Add a splash of milk and microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between. The pasta absorbs liquid as it sits so you need to add moisture back.

Don’t freeze it. Trust me. I tried once and the texture got super weird and grainy when thawed. Just make fresh batches.

Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese Recipe Crockpot Alternative :

Some people ask me about making this in a crockpot like those buffalo chicken mac and cheese recipe crockpot versions you see online. Honestly? I haven’t tried it with this specific recipe because I don’t own a crockpot (I know, I know, everyone says I should get one).

But theoretically you could cook the chicken with the honey garlic sauce in there on low for like 3-4 hours, then add cooked pasta and cheese sauce in the last 30 minutes. If anyone tries this, let me know how it goes because I’m genuinely curious.

Why This Became Our Weeknight Staple :

I think what I love most about this chicken with mac and cheese recipe is that it feels like a special dinner but takes the same amount of time as making regular pasta. And my kids actually eat it without complaining, which is basically a miracle.

The honey garlic butter sauce is sweet enough that my picky eater likes it but not so sweet that it tastes like dessert. The protein pasta means I don’t feel guilty about serving carbs for dinner. And the whole thing comes together in one pan plus one pot, so cleanup isn’t horrible.

Plus it’s one of those rare dishes where leftovers are actually GOOD. Sometimes even better the next day when the flavors have had time to hang out together in the fridge.

My husband’s coworker tried this after I sent him home with leftovers and texted me asking for the recipe at like 10pm. So I guess that’s a good sign?

Anyway, if you make this, seriously let me know! I’m always curious what people think and if they tweak it in interesting ways. Also tell me if you try the hot honey version because that one slaps.

Now I’m hungry again. Why do I do this to myself? 🍯🧄🧈