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Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese

A comforting and delicious blend of creamy mac and cheese topped with crispy honey pepper chicken strips for a sweet and savory culinary delight.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 680
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Chicken
  • 1 box 16 oz spiral noodles Spirals hold onto the cheese better.
  • 1 bag 25 oz breaded chicken strips Frozen is easy, but grilled chicken works too.
  • 5 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled Bacon makes everything better.
  • to taste Salt and pepper Regular salt works fine.
  • Fresh basil, for garnish Optional unless you want to impress.
Honey Pepper Sauce
  • 3/4 cup honey The sticky golden goodness.
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar Adds a nice depth of flavor.
  • 3 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce We're not trying to make it too salty.
  • 1/4 cup pineapple juice Fruity addition.
  • 1 each lemon, juiced Fresh is always best.
  • 1 tbsp vinegar Grab whatever’s in the fridge.
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper Adjust if you like more heat.
Cheese Sauce
  • 1 stick butter Because butter makes everything better.
  • 2 cups heavy cream For the creamy texture.
  • 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 3/4 cup shredded Colby Jack cheese
  • 2-3 cloves garlic, minced An essential ingredient.

Method
 

Prepare the Chicken
  1. Cook the chicken strips according to the package instructions, usually by baking them.
  2. Set them aside and ensure to dip them in the honey pepper sauce later.
Cook the Pasta
  1. In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil and add the spiral noodles.
  2. Cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes, then drain and set aside.
Make the Honey Pepper Sauce
  1. In a small saucepan, mix together honey, brown sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice, lemon juice, vinegar, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
  2. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for about 15 minutes until it thickens.
Prepare the Cheese Sauce
  1. In a large skillet, melt the stick of butter over medium heat.
  2. Slowly pour in the heavy cream while stirring, then gradually add the cheeses.
  3. Stir after each addition until melted and smooth, then add minced garlic.
  4. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Combine Pasta and Cheese Sauce
  1. Add the cooked noodles to the cheese sauce and mix well.
  2. Stir in the crumbled bacon.
Coat the Chicken
  1. Dip each chicken strip into the honey pepper sauce until fully coated.
Assemble and Serve
  1. Plate the mac and cheese, then top with honey pepper chicken strips.
  2. Optionally, sprinkle some fresh basil and extra bacon bits on top.

Notes

If you want a brighter flavor, add a splash of lemon juice at the end. Don’t be afraid to mix cheeses for different flavors. Perfect for impressing guests!