Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
For the Mac and Cheese:
- 1 (16-ounce) box spiral pasta
- 1 stick unsalted butter
- 2 cups heavy cream
- ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¾ cup freshly shredded Colby Jack cheese
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 5 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Chopped fresh basil, for garnish
For the Chicken:
- 1 (25-ounce) bag breaded chicken strips
For the Honey Pepper Sauce:
- ¾ cup honey
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup pineapple juice
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken:
- Prepare the breaded chicken strips according to the package instructions, either by baking or frying. Once cooked, set them aside.
- Cook the Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spiral pasta and cook until al dente, following the package directions. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Prepare the Honey Pepper Sauce:
- In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the honey, light brown sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice, lemon juice, vinegar, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it slightly thickens.
- Remove from heat and allow the sauce to cool slightly.
- Make the Cheese Sauce:
- In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Stir in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Gradually add the Parmesan cheese, stirring until fully melted.
- Repeat the process with the mozzarella and Colby Jack cheeses, ensuring each cheese melts before adding the next.
- Add the minced garlic and stir well.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine Pasta and Cheese Sauce:
- Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce, stirring until all the noodles are well coated.
- Fold in the crumbled bacon, reserving some for garnish if desired.
- Coat the Chicken:
- Dip the cooked chicken strips into the honey pepper sauce, making sure each piece is thoroughly coated.
- Assemble and Serve:
- Plate the mac and cheese on serving dishes.
- Top with the honey pepper chicken strips.
- Garnish with chopped fresh basil and any remaining bacon crumbles.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- Gluten-Free Option: Substitute the spiral pasta with your preferred gluten-free pasta. For the chicken, use gluten-free breaded chicken strips or coat chicken pieces in gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond flour before cooking.
- Customization: Adjust the spiciness by altering the amount of cayenne pepper in the honey pepper sauce.
- Additional Toppings: Feel free to add extra toppings like sautéed vegetables or different herbs to suit your taste preferences.
Enjoy your mouthwatering Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese!