If you are craving a dish that wraps comfort, bold flavors, and a touch of sweetness all into one, you absolutely must try Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe. This irresistible meal brings together tender, crispy chicken glazed in a vibrant honey pepper sauce with creamy, cheesy macaroni that satisfies every craving. Whether it’s a weeknight dinner or a gathering with friends, this recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that feels like a warm hug on a plate.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this dish plays a crucial role. They’re simple, wholesome staples that combine to create layers of texture, taste, and color that make every bite unforgettable.
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Cubed to perfect bite-sized pieces that soak up the sauce beautifully.
- 1/4 cup cornstarch: Helps create a crispy coating on the chicken when fried.
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour: Works with cornstarch for that perfect golden crust.
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder: Adds lovely aromatic depth.
- 1 teaspoon onion powder: Enhances savory flavor complexity.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Balances and brightens the flavors.
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper: For just the right amount of heat.
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil: Essential for frying chicken to golden perfection.
- 1/2 cup honey: Brings natural sweetness that complements the pepper’s kick.
- 1/4 cup soy sauce: Provides a rich umami foundation for the sauce.
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar: Adds a pleasant tang to balance sweetness.
- 1 tablespoon sriracha: Offers a gentle spicy heat to awaken your palate.
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil: Infuses a subtle nutty aroma into the sauce.
- 2 cloves garlic, minced: Fresh garlic adds a fragrant punch.
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger: Brightens the sauce with a touch of warmth.
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional): Extra heat for those who like it fiery.
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water (slurry): Thickens the sauce into a luscious glaze.
- 1 lb elbow macaroni: The classic shape that holds creamy cheese sauce perfectly.
- 6 tablespoons butter: Creates the silky base for the cheese sauce.
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour: Builds the roux for a smooth, thick béchamel.
- 4 cups milk: Adds creaminess and tenderness to the cheese sauce.
- 1 teaspoon salt: Seasoning that lifts all flavors.
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper: Enhances richness with subtle heat.
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional): Provides a hint of earthiness that pairs surprisingly well with cheese.
- 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese: Classic sharpness for that iconic mac and cheese taste.
- 2 cups shredded Gruyere cheese (or Monterey Jack): Melts smoothly and adds nutty creaminess.
- Chopped green onions: Fresh garnish providing crispness and color.
- Sesame seeds: Adds subtle crunch and visual appeal.
- Extra red pepper flakes: Adjustable spice kick when serving.
How to Make Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Start by tossing cubed chicken breasts in a blend of cornstarch, flour, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. This coating is the secret behind that crave-worthy crispy exterior that locks in juicy tenderness inside. Make sure every piece is well-coated for even frying later on.
Step 2: Fry the Chicken
Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the coated chicken cubes in batches, avoiding overcrowding the pan, until golden brown and fully cooked—about 5 to 7 minutes. Using a thermometer to check for 165°F inside guarantees perfectly cooked chicken. Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
Step 3: Prepare the Honey Pepper Sauce
In a saucepan, whisk together honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sriracha, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and optional red pepper flakes. Bring this lively sauce to a gentle simmer, allowing the ingredients to meld into a harmonious flavor explosion. To thicken, stir in a cornstarch slurry and cook until gloriously glossy and coating consistency.
Step 4: Coat the Chicken with Sauce
Pour your honey pepper sauce over the fried chicken cubes and toss everything together so every morsel is beautifully glazed. This step transforms simple chicken into the star of the dish with a sweet, tangy heat that dances with each bite.
Step 5: Cook the Macaroni
While the sauce simmers, boil elbow macaroni until al dente per package instructions. Drain the pasta and set it aside, ready to soak up that creamy cheese sauce soon.
Step 6: Make the Cheese Sauce
In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat and whisk in flour to form a roux, cooking it for a couple of minutes. Slowly add milk while whisking to avoid lumps, then simmer until thickened. Season with salt, pepper, and a touch of optional nutmeg. Reduce heat and gradually stir in sharp cheddar and creamy Gruyere cheeses, ensuring you get a smooth, velvety sauce.
Step 7: Combine Macaroni and Cheese Sauce
Fold the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce lovingly, making sure each piece is fully coated with that rich, luscious cheese. This is the soul-soothing base on which your honey pepper chicken will shine.
Step 8: Assemble and Serve
Divide your cheesy macaroni into bowls or plates, then generously top with the irresistible honey pepper chicken. The combination of textures and flavors at this stage is sheer bliss.
How to Serve Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe
Garnishes
Add final touches like chopped green onions for a fresh bite, toasted sesame seeds for subtle crunch, and extra red pepper flakes if you want to dial up the spice. These small additions elevate the dish’s look and flavor complexity beautifully.
Side Dishes
This hearty dish pairs wonderfully with simple sides like steamed broccoli, a crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette, or even roasted vegetables. These sides bring balance, freshness, and color to your comfort food feast.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the honey pepper chicken mac and cheese in individual mini cast iron skillets or ramekins for a cozy, rustic vibe. Alternatively, bake it with a crunchy panko topping under the broiler for a golden crust that offers texture contrast to the creamy base.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To maintain freshness, cool completely before covering and chilling.
Freezing
You can freeze this dish, although cheese sauces may sometimes separate upon thawing. For best results, freeze portions in freezer-safe containers and consume within 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave with short bursts, stirring occasionally to redistribute heat evenly. Adding a splash of milk before reheating helps restore creamy consistency.
FAQs
Can I use different types of cheese?
Absolutely! While cheddar and Gruyere are recommended for their melting qualities and flavor, you can swap in Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or fontina to tailor the cheese sauce to your taste.
Is the honey pepper sauce very spicy?
The sauce has a pleasant balance of sweet and spicy. The sriracha and optional red pepper flakes provide warmth without overwhelming heat, but you can adjust the spice levels easily by adding more or less sriracha.
Can I make this dish gluten-free?
Yes! Use gluten-free flour and cornstarch alternatives for the coating and roux. Also, ensure soy sauce is gluten-free or substitute with tamari.
What kind of pasta works best?
Elbow macaroni is classic, but other small shapes like shells or cavatappi will hold the cheese sauce well and work great too.
Can I prep any part of this recipe ahead of time?
You can prepare the chicken and sauce separately and refrigerate them. The cheese sauce is best made fresh, but you can also make the macaroni a day ahead and reheat gently with the cheese sauce just before serving.
Final Thoughts
There’s just something magic about Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe that makes you want to savor every bite and plan your next meal around it. It’s the wonderful mix of crispy chicken, sweet and spicy sauce, and velvety mac and cheese that truly hits the spot. Don’t wait to give this show-stopping dish a try—you’re going to absolutely love it!
Print
Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Description
Honey Pepper Chicken Mac Cheese is a comforting fusion dish that combines crispy, honey pepper-glazed chicken with creamy, cheesy macaroni. The chicken is coated, fried to golden perfection, then tossed in a sweet-spicy honey pepper sauce. The mac and cheese features a smooth, velvety cheese sauce made with cheddar and Gruyere, creating a rich base that pairs beautifully with the flavorful chicken topping. This hearty meal delivers a perfect balance of textures and bold tastes, ideal for family dinners or cozy nights in.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, for frying
Honey Pepper Sauce
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sriracha (or more, to taste)
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water (slurry)
Mac and Cheese
- 1 lb elbow macaroni
- 6 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
- 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups shredded Gruyere cheese (or Monterey Jack)
Garnishes (Optional)
- Chopped green onions
- Sesame seeds
- Extra red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine the cubed chicken with cornstarch, flour, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Toss to evenly coat the chicken pieces with the dry ingredients.
- Fry the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the coated chicken in a single layer in batches to avoid overcrowding, frying for 5-7 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
- Drain the Chicken: Remove the fried chicken and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil.
- Combine the Sauce Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, whisk together honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sriracha, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes.
- Simmer the Sauce: Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally for 2-3 minutes to blend flavors.
- Thicken the Sauce: Whisk the cornstarch slurry and slowly pour it into the simmering sauce while stirring continuously. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Add the fried chicken to the saucepan and toss thoroughly to coat the chicken evenly with the honey pepper sauce.
- Cook the Macaroni: Boil the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make the Roux: In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly to create a smooth roux.
- Add the Milk: Gradually whisk in milk, ensuring no lumps form, until mixture is smooth.
- Simmer the Sauce: Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly, for 5-7 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
- Season the Sauce: Stir in salt, pepper, and nutmeg if using. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Melt the Cheese: Reduce heat to low. Gradually add shredded cheddar and Gruyere cheeses, stirring continuously until cheese is melted and sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Combine Macaroni and Cheese Sauce: Add cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce; stir well to coat all pasta evenly.
- Portion the Mac and Cheese: Serve the macaroni and cheese into bowls or plates.
- Top with Honey Pepper Chicken: Spoon a generous amount of the honey pepper chicken over each serving of mac and cheese.
- Garnish (Optional): Sprinkle with chopped green onions, sesame seeds, and extra red pepper flakes if desired.
- Serve Immediately: Serve hot to enjoy the best flavors and textures.
Notes
- The chicken can be cooked in batches to ensure an even golden crust.
- Adjust sriracha and red pepper flakes for heat preference.
- For a richer sauce, use whole milk or a combination of milk and cream.
- Gruyere can be substituted with Monterey Jack or mozzarella for different melting properties.
- Leftover mac and cheese with chicken can be reheated gently on the stovetop or in the oven.
