Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese
Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese is a comforting, quick, and creamy dish featuring tender chicken glazed in a sweet and savory honey garlic butter sauce, paired with rich, cheesy macaroni. Perfect for cozy dinners and busy weeknights, this all-in-one meal combines protein and a delicious side with simple pantry ingredients.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Can be gluten-free with gluten-free pasta
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Sauce
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or cooking oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Macaroni and Cheese
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup milk or cream
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Macaroni and Cheese: Boil elbow macaroni in salted water until just tender, then drain. In the same pot, melt butter over medium heat, then stir in milk and shredded sharp cheddar cheese until a smooth, creamy sauce forms. Toss the cooked pasta back into the cheese sauce and keep warm.
- Cook the Chicken: Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken for about 5-7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Make the Honey Garlic Butter Sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté minced garlic until fragrant but not browned. Stir in honey and combine well to create a glossy, sweet garlic butter sauce.
- Combine and Serve: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and coat generously with the honey garlic butter sauce. Serve the glazed chicken alongside or atop the creamy macaroni and cheese. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use room temperature chicken for even cooking and juicier texture.
- Don’t overcook garlic to prevent bitterness; sauté just until fragrant.
- Reserve some pasta water to add to the mac & cheese if it thickens too much for a creamier consistency.
- Rest chicken briefly after cooking to keep it tender and moist.
- Grate your own cheese for better meltability rather than using pre-shredded cheese.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 600 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: honey garlic chicken, butter chicken, mac and cheese, comfort food, quick dinner, easy recipe, creamy macaroni, weeknight meal