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Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese

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Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese combines sweet and spicy glazed chicken strips, crispy bacon, and a velvety three-cheese sauce tossed with spiral pasta. This comforting dish is perfect for weeknight dinners or Sunday meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 (16 oz) box spiral noodles
  • 1 (25 oz) bag breaded chicken strips
  • 5 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil for garnish
  • Honey Pepper Sauce: 3/4 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup pineapple juice
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 1 tablespoon vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • Cheese Sauce: 1 stick butter
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 3/4 cup freshly shredded Colby Jack cheese
  • 2–3 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions

  1. Bake or fry the chicken strips according to package instructions until golden and crisp. Set aside on paper towels.
  2. Cook the spiral noodles in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a saucepan, combine honey, brown sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice, lemon juice, vinegar, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes until thickened. Let cool slightly.
  4. To make the cheese sauce, melt butter in a large pan over medium heat. Add heavy cream and heat until combined.
  5. Add Parmesan, mozzarella, and Colby Jack cheeses one at a time, stirring after each addition until melted and smooth. Stir in minced garlic. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and stir to combine. Mix in crumbled bacon.
  7. Dip each cooked chicken strip into the honey pepper sauce until fully coated.
  8. To serve, plate the creamy mac and cheese topped with honey pepper chicken strips. Garnish with fresh basil and additional bacon if desired.

Notes

For extra crispiness, bake chicken strips in a hot oven until heated through before coating. Adjust cayenne pepper for preferred spice level. Leftover honey pepper sauce can be stored in the fridge for up to one week and used as a glaze or dipping sauce.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.receipster.com/honey-pepper-chicken-macaroni/

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