Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken with Mac and Cheese Recipe
Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken with Mac and Cheese is a comforting and flavor-packed meal that pairs succulent, oven-baked chicken glazed in sweet and spicy honey butter with creamy, cheesy macaroni. This crowd-pleasing main course brings together bold flavors with classic comfort, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining guests.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main-course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Scale
For the Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- ½ cup pure honey
- 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- Salt to taste
For the Mac and Cheese
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Prep and Season Chicken – Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Make Honey Pepper Glaze – In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt ¼ cup unsalted butter. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in the honey until smooth. Remove from heat.
- Bake the Chicken – Arrange the chicken breasts in a baking dish. Pour half of the honey pepper glaze evenly over the chicken. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
- Cook Macaroni – While the chicken bakes, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
- Prepare Cheese Sauce – In another pot over medium heat, melt 2 tbsp unsalted butter. Stir in 2 tbsp all-purpose flour to create a roux; cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually whisk in the milk, stirring until the sauce thickens. Add the shredded cheddar cheese and whisk until fully melted and smooth. Season with salt to taste.
- Serve – Plate the baked chicken breasts, drizzling them with the remaining honey pepper glaze. Serve alongside a generous helping of creamy mac and cheese. Enjoy hot!
Notes
- You can add a pinch of chili flakes to the glaze for extra heat.
- Substitute whole milk with low-fat milk for a lighter mac and cheese.
- For extra creamy mac and cheese, try adding a spoonful of cream cheese to the sauce.
- The chicken can be marinated in the glaze ahead of time for deeper flavor.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast + 1 cup mac and cheese
- Calories: 660
- Sugar: 19g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 56g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 45g
- Cholesterol: 142mg
Keywords: spicy honey chicken, pepper chicken, mac and cheese, baked chicken, comfort food, easy chicken dinner, creamy macaroni
