Sweet & Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken with Cheesy Mac
🍯🔥 Sweet & Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken with Cheesy Mac
Boldly glazed chicken meets ultra-creamy mac and cheese in this unforgettable comfort food duo.
🕒 Time & Yield
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Servings: 4
🍗 Chicken Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup buttermilk (for marinating)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
🍯 Honey Pepper Sauce
- ½ cup honey
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp sriracha (adjust to heat preference)
- 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (slurry)
🧀 Cheesy Macaroni
- 2 cups elbow macaroni, cooked al dente
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups warm milk
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Salt & pepper, to taste
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Marinate the Chicken
- Combine chicken, buttermilk, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
- Marinate for 15–30 minutes (or overnight for extra tenderness).
2. Cook the Pasta
- Boil macaroni in salted water until al dente. Drain, toss with a bit of butter or oil, and set aside.
3. Make the Cheese Sauce
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
- Whisk in flour to create a roux.
- Slowly pour in warm milk, whisking until thickened (about 4–5 min).
- Stir in cheddar and mozzarella until fully melted.
- Season with salt and pepper. Fold in cooked macaroni.
4. Fry the Chicken
- In a bowl, mix flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Dredge chicken in flour mixture.
- Heat oil in skillet to 350°F (175°C). Fry chicken in batches for 5–6 minutes or until golden and cooked through. Drain on paper towels.
5. Make the Honey Pepper Sauce
- Combine honey, soy sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, sriracha, red pepper flakes, and garlic in a small saucepan.
- Bring to a simmer, then stir in the cornstarch slurry.
- Simmer for 2–3 minutes until thickened.
- Toss fried chicken in the sauce until well coated.
🍽️ To Serve
Plate a generous scoop of mac and cheese, then top with honey pepper chicken.
Drizzle extra sauce over top and garnish with:
- Chopped parsley
- Sliced green onions
- Extra chili flakes for heat
🔁 Storage & Reheating
- Storage: Keep chicken, sauce, and mac stored separately in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Reheat Mac: Add a splash of milk and heat gently on the stovetop or microwave.
- Reheat Chicken: Warm in oven or skillet to preserve crispness.
🌟 Tips & Variations
- Baked Option: Bake chicken at 400°F for 20–25 minutes (coated in oil and flour mixture).
- Cheese Swap: Try Monterey Jack, Fontina, Gruyère, or white cheddar.
- Make It Vegan: Use plant-based butter, milk, and cheese. Substitute tofu or tempeh for chicken.
- Boost Veggies: Add sautéed spinach, roasted broccoli, or peppers to the mac for color and nutrition.