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Honey Garlic Butter Chicken & Mac and Cheese

Honey Garlic Butter Chicken & Mac and Cheese

This is the ultimate comfort food mashup. We’re taking tender, bite-sized chicken pieces glazed in a sticky, sweet-and-savory honey garlic butter and serving them alongside a rich, ultra-creamy stovetop mac and cheese. The contrast between the salty cheese sauce and the caramelized honey glaze is a flavor explosion that turns a simple weeknight dinner into a gourmet treat.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Honey Garlic Chicken:
  • 1.5 lbs Chicken Breast or Thighs Cut into bite-sized pieces.
  • 1/3 cup Honey
  • 4 cloves Garlic Minced.
  • 2 tbsp Soy Sauce
  • 3 tbsp Salted Butter
For the Mac and Cheese:
  • 10 oz Elbow Macaroni
  • 2 cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese Freshly shredded for best melting.
  • 1.5 cups Whole Milk
  • 2 tbsp Flour All-purpose.

Equipment

  • Large Skillet
  • Medium Saucepan

Method
 

  1. Start the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. Cook the Chicken: While the pasta cooks, season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Sear the chicken until golden brown and cooked through (about 6-8 minutes). Remove chicken from the pan and set aside.
  3. Make the Honey Garlic Glaze: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and the minced garlic. Sauté for 1 minute. Whisk in the honey, soy sauce, and a squeeze of lemon juice. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes until thickened. Return the chicken to the pan and toss to coat.
  4. Prepare the Cheese Sauce: In a separate saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Slowly pour in the milk, whisking constantly until the sauce thickens and begins to bubble.
  5. Combine Mac: Remove the white sauce from heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until smooth. Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and fold until every noodle is covered.
  6. Serve: Plate a generous helping of mac and cheese and top it with the honey garlic chicken. Drizzle any extra sauce from the skillet over the top and garnish with chopped parsley or green onions.

Notes

For an extra kick, add a teaspoon of sriracha or red pepper flakes to the honey garlic sauce.