Print

Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese Delight

Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese Delight
Print Recipe

Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese Delight is a comforting one-pot dish combining tender chicken breast, perfectly cooked elbow macaroni, and a luscious sharp cheddar cheese sauce enriched with sweet honey and freshly cracked black pepper. This recipe delivers a perfect balance of creamy, sweet, and peppery flavors that make it a family favorite for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • Salt, to taste
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • Freshly cracked black pepper, generous amount
  • 1 tbsp oil (for searing)

Pasta

  • 2 cups elbow macaroni
  • Salt (for pasta water), to taste

Cheese Sauce

  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 2 1/2 cups milk
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • Salt, to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the chicken: Season chicken breasts with salt, garlic powder, and freshly cracked black pepper. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, sear chicken until golden brown and cooked through (about 5-7 minutes per side). Remove and let rest before slicing.
  2. Prepare the macaroni: Boil elbow macaroni in salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and reserve about 1/4 cup pasta water.
  3. Make the cheese sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for about 2 minutes until lightly golden to form a roux. Gradually whisk in milk until smooth and thickened. Stir in sharp cheddar cheese until melted and creamy.
  4. Add honey and pepper: Drizzle honey into the cheese sauce, stirring to blend. Add freshly cracked black pepper to taste, enhancing the peppery flavor.
  5. Combine everything: Add cooked macaroni and sliced chicken back into the skillet. Toss gently to coat evenly with the honey pepper cheese sauce. Use reserved pasta water if needed to adjust sauce consistency.
  6. Serve and enjoy: Transfer to plates or bowls, garnish with fresh parsley, chives, extra cracked black pepper, or a drizzle of honey if desired. Serve warm.

Notes

  • Use sharp cheddar cheese for a bolder, creamier sauce.
  • Don’t skip making the roux to achieve the perfect sauce thickness.
  • Freshly cracked black pepper gives a fresher, more robust flavor than pre-ground pepper.
  • Resting the cooked chicken helps retain its juiciness when sliced.
  • Reserve some pasta water to loosen the sauce if it becomes too thick.

Nutrition

Keywords: mac and cheese, chicken mac and cheese, creamy chicken pasta, honey pepper chicken, comfort food, one-pot meal

Find it online: https://recipesemilly.com/creamy-honey-pepper-chicken-mac-and-cheese-delight/