Description
Crispy chicken glazed with sweet honey pepper sauce, served over ultra-creamy mac and cheese—this Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese is the ultimate comfort food recipe. Perfect for cozy dinners or when you’re craving bold, indulgent flavors. With juicy chicken bites, golden crunch, a rich cheddar cheese sauce, and just the right amount of sweet heat, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. This is one of the best easy dinner ideas and fits right into your list of comfort food recipes, quick dinner meals, and weeknight food ideas. Make it tonight and watch it disappear fast!
Ingredients
1 lb elbow macaroni
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast or tenders
1 cup buttermilk
2 large eggs
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
Salt to taste
1/2 tsp cracked black pepper (for breading)
Vegetable oil for frying
2 tbsp butter (for glaze)
1/4 cup honey
1 tbsp freshly cracked black pepper (for glaze)
3 tbsp butter (for cheese sauce)
1.5 cups heavy cream or whole milk
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 tsp garlic powder (for cheese sauce)
1/2 tsp onion powder (for cheese sauce)
1/4 cup reserved pasta water
Chopped parsley or chives for garnish (optional)
Instructions
1. Cut chicken into bite-sized chunks and marinate in buttermilk, garlic powder, and salt for at least 30 minutes.
2. In separate bowls, whisk eggs and prepare the breading mix with flour, cornstarch, breadcrumbs, and cracked black pepper.
3. Dredge marinated chicken in egg, then coat in the flour mixture.
4. Heat oil and fry chicken pieces in batches until golden brown, about 4–5 minutes per side. Drain on a rack or paper towel.
5. Boil elbow macaroni in salted water until al dente, then drain and set aside. Save 1/4 cup of pasta water.
6. In a saucepan, melt butter and add garlic powder and onion powder. Stir in cream and bring to a simmer.
7. Gradually add shredded cheese, stirring until the sauce is smooth. Add pasta water if needed to loosen.
8. In another saucepan, melt butter, stir in honey and cracked black pepper, and gently simmer for 1–2 minutes.
9. Toss cooked pasta in the cheese sauce until fully coated.
10. Assemble by plating mac and cheese, topping with crispy chicken, and drizzling honey pepper glaze over the top. Garnish with herbs if using.
Notes
Let the cheese come to room temperature before making the sauce for smooth melting.
Keep chicken crispy by storing separately and reheating in the oven or air fryer.
For extra heat, add red chili flakes to the glaze or a pinch of cayenne to the breading.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop + Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 710
- Sugar: 11g
- Sodium: 760mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 19g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 155mg
Keywords: creamy mac and cheese, honey pepper chicken, easy dinner, comfort food, quick meals