Honey Pepper Chicken Mac And Cheese At Home

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Ingredients

For the Honey Pepper Chicken:

  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes adjust according to heat preference
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

For the Mac and Cheese:

  • 8 ounces macaroni or your favorite pasta shape
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups milk
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • **1/2 cup grated
  • Parmesan cheese**
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika optional for added flavor and color

Instructions

Making the Honey Pepper Chicken:

Season and Cook Chicken:

  • Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove from the skillet and set aside.

Prepare the Sauce:

  • In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, red pepper flakes, and ground black pepper. Stir well and let the sauce simmer for about 2-3 minutes until it thickens slightly.

Combine Chicken and Sauce:

  • Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss to coat evenly with the sauce. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, then remove from heat.

Making the Mac and Cheese:

Cook the Pasta:

  • Cook the macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Make the Cheese Sauce:

  • In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for about 1 minute until the mixture is lightly golden.
  • Gradually add milk while continuously whisking to prevent lumps. Cook until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and stir in cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and paprika until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.

Combine Pasta and Cheese Sauce:

  • Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until well combined.

Assemble the Dish:

Layer the Mac and Cheese with Chicken:

  • Spoon the mac and cheese into a serving dish. Top with the honey pepper chicken, spooning any extra sauce over the top.

Serve:

  • Serve hot, garnished with extra red pepper flakes or chopped parsley if desired.

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