Description
This Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese Delight is the ultimate comfort dish, featuring crispy golden chicken bites on top of rich, cheesy cavatappi pasta with a drizzle of sweet and spicy honey pepper glaze. It’s a cozy dinner with a restaurant-style twist you can make right at home.
Ingredients
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 cup buttermilk
1 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs or regular breadcrumbs
¼ cup honey
1 ½ teaspoons cracked black pepper
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups heavy cream
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
12 ounces cavatappi pasta
Salt to taste
1 tablespoon chopped parsley (optional)
Oil for frying
Instructions
1. Cut chicken into bite-sized chunks and marinate in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes.
2. Mix breadcrumbs with salt and black pepper. Dredge each chicken piece in the mix and set aside.
3. Heat oil in a skillet and fry chicken until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
4. Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
5. In a saucepan, melt butter and whisk in flour to form a roux.
6. Slowly add heavy cream while whisking. Once thickened, stir in cheddar and Parmesan cheese.
7. In a small pan, heat honey and cracked pepper on low until thin and pourable.
8. Toss pasta in cheese sauce. Serve in bowls topped with fried chicken.
9. Drizzle honey pepper glaze over chicken and garnish with parsley if desired.
Notes
Marinating the chicken longer (up to overnight) gives it more tenderness and flavor.
Reheat chicken in the air fryer to retain its crispiness.
Add a splash of milk when reheating mac and cheese to restore creaminess.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 785
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 610mg
- Fat: 42g
- Saturated Fat: 21g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 65g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 165mg
Keywords: chicken mac and cheese, creamy pasta, honey pepper chicken