Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese Recipe
This Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese is a delightful twist on classic comfort food, featuring tender breaded chicken strips coated in a sweet and spicy honey pepper sauce, combined with creamy, cheesy macaroni loaded with bacon and fresh herbs. Perfect for a hearty family dinner or a special occasion, it’s a comforting dish that balances sweet, savory, and spicy flavors effortlessly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 16 oz box spiral noodles
Chicken and Bacon
- 1 25 oz bag breaded chicken strips
- 5 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- Salt and Pepper, to taste
- Chopped fresh basil, for garnish
Honey Pepper Sauce
- 3/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup pineapple juice
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Cheese Sauce
- 1 stick butter (8 tablespoons)
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
- 3/4 cup freshly shredded Colby Jack cheese
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken Strips: Bake or deep fry the breaded chicken strips according to the package instructions until golden and cooked through. Once done, set them aside to keep warm.
- Cook Pasta: Boil the spiral noodles following the box directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make Honey Pepper Sauce: In a medium saucepan, combine honey, light brown sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice, lemon juice, vinegar, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and let the sauce cool slightly so it thickens.
- Prepare Cheese Sauce: In a large pan, melt the butter and heavy cream together over medium heat. Once melted and combined, add shredded Parmesan, mozzarella, and Colby Jack cheeses one at a time, stirring after each addition until fully melted and smooth. Stir in the minced garlic until incorporated.
- Season Cheese Sauce: Add salt and pepper to taste, adjusting to your preference.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta into the cheese sauce pan and stir to combine thoroughly. Then fold in the crumbled bacon pieces, mixing evenly.
- Coat Chicken with Sauce: Dip each cooked chicken strip into the honey pepper sauce until fully coated. Set aside on a plate.
- Serve: To serve, plate the creamy mac and cheese mixture and top each serving with the honey pepper coated chicken strips. Garnish with chopped fresh basil and additional bacon if desired for extra flavor and presentation.
Notes
- You can bake or deep fry the chicken strips; homemade breaded chicken strips work well too.
- Adjust the cayenne pepper amount in the honey pepper sauce to control the spice level.
- Use freshly shredded cheeses for better melting and creaminess.
- The honey pepper sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated.
- Add extra fresh basil on top for a fresh herbal note.
Keywords: Honey Pepper Chicken, Mac and Cheese, Comfort Food, Cheesy Pasta, Breaded Chicken, Bacon, Sweet and Spicy Sauce, Creamy, Family Dinner
