Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese
A deliciously creamy and savory dish that combines tender chicken strips coated in a sweet and spicy honey pepper sauce with cheesy spiral noodles. This comforting meal is perfect for family dinners or gatherings, offering a delightful balance of flavors and textures.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Desserts
- Method: No bake
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 oz box spiral noodles
- 25 oz bag breaded chicken strips
- 5 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- Salt and Pepper
- Basil
- 3/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 3 tbsp soy sauce (low sodium)
- 1/4 cup pineapple juice
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 tbsp vinegar
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 stick butter
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, freshly shredded
- 3/4 cup colby jack cheese, freshly shredded
- 2–3 cloves minced garlic
- Chopped fresh basil
Instructions
- Bake or deep fry chicken strips according to package directions, then set aside.
- Cook pasta according to package directions.
- In a medium saucepan, mix all honey pepper sauce ingredients. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring often. Let cool slightly to thicken.
- In a large pan over medium heat, melt butter and cream together. Add cheeses one at a time, stirring after each addition. Then add minced garlic and stir until melted. Season with salt and pepper.
- Add cooked pasta to the pan with cheese sauce. Stir to combine. Add bacon and mix well.
- Dip each chicken strip into the honey pepper sauce until coated, then set aside.
- When ready to serve, dish up pasta, top with chicken strips, and sprinkle with basil and additional bacon if desired.
Nutrition
- Calories: 1037
- Sugar: 51g
- Sodium: 1486mg
- Fat: 42g
- Saturated Fat: 24g
- Carbohydrates: 98g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 66g
- Cholesterol: 250mg