Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese
This recipe combines the comforting flavors of mac and cheese with the sweet and spicy kick of honey pepper chicken. It’s a perfect dish for a weeknight dinner or a casual gathering.
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Ingredients:
For the Chicken:
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| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces | 1 pound |
| Buttermilk | 1 cup |
| All-purpose flour | 1 cup |
| Paprika | 1 teaspoon |
| Garlic powder | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Salt and black pepper | To taste |
| Vegetable oil | For frying |
For the Honey Pepper Sauce:
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| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Honey | 1/3 cup |
| Soy sauce | 1 tablespoon |
| Apple cider vinegar | 1 tablespoon |
| Black pepper | 1 teaspoon |
| Red pepper flakes (optional) | 1/4 teaspoon |
For the Mac and Cheese:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Elbow macaroni | 2 cups |
| Unsalted butter | 3 tablespoons |
| All-purpose flour | 3 tablespoons |
| Whole milk | 2 cups |
| Heavy cream | 1 cup |
| Shredded cheddar cheese | 2 cups |
| Shredded mozzarella cheese | 1 cup |
| Salt | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Black pepper | 1/4 teaspoon |
Instructions:
- Prepare the Chicken: Marinate the chicken in buttermilk, salt, and pepper for at least 30 minutes. Dredge in a flour mixture of flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Fry in hot oil until golden brown and cooked through.
- Make the Honey Pepper Sauce: Combine honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes in a saucepan. Heat and stir until thickened. Toss the fried chicken in the sauce.
- Cook the Macaroni: Boil elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain.
- Make the Cheese Sauce: Melt butter in a saucepan, whisk in flour, and cook until bubbly. Gradually whisk in milk and heavy cream until thickened. Stir in cheddar and mozzarella cheese until melted and smooth.
- Combine Mac and Cheese: Add cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir to combine.
- Serve: Spoon mac and cheese into bowls and top with honey pepper chicken. Garnish with parsley, if desired.
