Description
Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese Delight is a bold, comforting pasta dish that turns weeknight dinners into a special treat. Juicy chicken is glazed with honey and black pepper, then folded into a luxurious cheddar-mozzarella cheese sauce over al dente elbow macaroni. A hint of paprika and garlic powder adds warmth, while butter and milk create a silky sauce. Fast, easy, and crowd-pleasing for family meals.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups elbow macaroni or pasta of choice
- 2 cups chicken breast, cooked and diced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ tsp salt
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chicken, honey, black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Cook for 4–5 minutes until chicken is well coated and lightly caramelized. Remove from heat.
- In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute.
- Slowly whisk in milk and cook until sauce thickens, about 4–5 minutes.
- Stir in cheddar and mozzarella cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt.
- Add cooked pasta and honey pepper chicken to the cheese sauce. Stir until fully combined and creamy.
- Serve warm and enjoy.
Notes
- Tip: For extra depth, sauté the chicken a little longer to deepen caramelization.
- For a lighter version, use part-skim milk and lower-fat cheese.
- Make ahead: Prep sauce and chicken, then combine with pasta just before serving.
- Leftovers store in an airtight container in the fridge for 2–3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 754 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 31 g
- Saturated Fat: 25 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 65 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 250 mg
Keywords: Creamy honey pepper chicken mac and cheese, honey pepper chicken pasta, creamy chicken mac and cheese, weeknight dinner, comforting pasta recipe, bold pepper flavor, cheesy chicken pasta, family-friendly meal