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Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese

A creamy and flavorful twist on classic mac and cheese, featuring honey-glazed chicken and a kick of black pepper.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Comfort Food
Calories: 550
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Cheese Ingredients
  • 8 ounces elbow macaroni or your preferred pasta
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese for a rich flavor
  • 1 cup milk to create the cheese sauce
Chicken Ingredients
  • 1 cup cooked chicken, diced can use rotisserie chicken for convenience
  • 1 tablespoon honey for sweetness
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper for a bit of kick
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil for cooking the chicken
  • to taste salt add according to preference
Garnish Options
  • Fresh chives or parsley for garnish (optional)

Method
 

Cooking the Pasta
  1. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Preparing the Chicken
  1. In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced cooked chicken and drizzle the honey over it. Sprinkle in the black pepper and cook until warmed through and slightly caramelized, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
Making the Cheese Sauce
  1. In a separate saucepan, whisk together milk and cheddar cheese over medium heat until melted and creamy. Stir in the cooked macaroni, mixing thoroughly.
Combining Ingredients
  1. Add the honey pepper chicken to the macaroni and cheese mixture. Stir well until everything is coated in the creamy sauce. Taste and adjust salt if needed.
Serving the Dish
  1. Spoon the Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese into bowls and garnish with fresh chives or parsley if desired. Enjoy while warm!

Notes

For added flavor, try different cheese blends such as mozzarella or pepper jack. This dish can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days and can be frozen for up to three months.