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Honey Pepper Chicken with Creamy Mac and Cheese

A delicious dish combining succulent honey-glazed chicken with rich and creamy macaroni and cheese, creating a comforting meal for the whole family.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Comfort Food
Calories: 600
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons black pepper Adjust to taste
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • to taste Salt
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Creamy Mac and Cheese
  • 8 ounces elbow macaroni
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • to taste Salt and pepper

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Season the chicken breasts with salt, garlic powder, and black pepper, coating them evenly.
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil. Once hot, add the seasoned chicken and cook for approximately 6-7 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
Make the Honey Pepper Glaze
  1. In a small bowl, mix together honey and additional black pepper (adjust to your taste).
  2. Once the chicken is cooked, pour the honey-pepper mixture over the chicken in the skillet, allowing it to caramelize for about 2-3 minutes.
Cook the Macaroni
  1. While the chicken is finishing up, bring a pot of salted water to a boil.
  2. Add elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Prepare the Cheese Sauce
  1. In another saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
  2. Stir in flour and cook for about 1 minute to create a roux.
  3. Gradually whisk in milk until the mixture is smooth and thickened.
  4. Add the shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until melted and combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Combine and Serve
  1. Mix the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce.
  2. Serve the honey pepper chicken over a generous helping of mac and cheese and enjoy immediately!

Notes

For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in the honey-pepper mixture for at least an hour before cooking. Feel free to experiment with different cheeses for the mac and cheese.