Description
A quick and creamy comfort food dish featuring tender chicken glazed in a sweet and spicy honey pepper sauce, served over elbow macaroni in a rich, velvety cheese sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 pound dry elbow macaroni
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup pure honey
- 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt to taste
- 2 stalks green onions, sliced
- 1 tablespoon oil (for cooking chicken)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook until al dente (8-10 minutes). Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Pat chicken breasts dry and season with salt and pepper.
- In a small bowl, mix honey, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and 1 tablespoon of oil. Brush this mixture generously over both sides of the chicken breasts.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with oil. Sear chicken for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (165°F). Remove and let rest.
- In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add butter and minced garlic; sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in heavy cream and stir. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Gradually add shredded cheddar and Parmesan cheese, stirring constantly until melted and smooth.
- Add drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat. Add reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
- Slice the rested chicken into strips. Serve macaroni topped with chicken, drizzled with remaining glaze, and garnished with green onions.
Notes
Shred your own cheese to ensure a smooth sauce; pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that prevent melting. Rest the chicken for 5-10 minutes before slicing to keep it juicy. Keep heat low when making the cheese sauce to prevent separation. This recipe does not freeze well.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl with chicken
- Calories: 850
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 900
- Fat: 45
- Saturated Fat: 22
- Carbohydrates: 65
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 40
Keywords: copycat applebees, honey pepper chicken, mac and cheese, comfort food, quick dinner, chicken mac, cheesy pasta, weeknight meal