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Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac & Cheese

creamy honey pepper chicken mac & cheese - featured image
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A quick and easy mac & cheese recipe with a unique twist of honey and cracked black pepper, combined with tender chicken for a comforting and flavorful meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces elbow macaroni or your favorite pasta shape
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups whole milk, warmed
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or cubed
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or unsalted butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
  • Chopped fresh parsley or chives (optional garnish)
  • Extra cracked black pepper (optional garnish)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions until al dente (about 7-8 minutes). Drain and set aside.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the shredded chicken, garlic powder (if using), 2 tablespoons honey, and 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper. Toss well to coat and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally until the chicken is warmed through and slightly caramelized. Remove from heat and set aside.
  3. In a medium saucepan, melt 3 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Whisk in 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour, cooking for about 1-2 minutes to form a roux.
  4. Slowly pour in 3 cups warmed milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Continue stirring until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 5-7 minutes.
  5. Reduce heat to low and stir in 2 cups shredded cheddar and 1 cup mozzarella until melted and smooth. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Add more milk if sauce is too thick.
  6. Add the cooked pasta and honey pepper chicken into the cheese sauce. Gently stir until everything is evenly coated and heated through, about 2 minutes.
  7. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more cracked black pepper or honey if desired. Sprinkle chopped parsley or chives on top before serving.

Notes

Warm milk before adding to roux to prevent lumps. Use freshly cracked black pepper for best flavor. For a baked version, transfer to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, top with extra cheese, and bake at 350°F for 15 minutes until bubbly and golden. For gluten-free, substitute flour with rice flour or cornstarch. Use part-skim mozzarella and reduce butter for a lighter version.

Nutrition

Keywords: mac and cheese, honey pepper chicken, creamy mac and cheese, comfort food, easy dinner, quick recipe

Find it online: https://cooltastes.com/creamy-honey-pepper-chicken-mac-and-cheese-recipe-easy-and-delicious/