Description
Sizzling sweet and spicy honey pepper chicken nestles alongside creamy macaroni cheese in this irresistible comfort meal. Flavor-packed ingredients dance together, promising a delightful culinary experience you won’t soon forget.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 0.25 cup honey
Spices and Seasonings:
- 2 tbsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp garlic powder
Macaroni Cheese Components:
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 0.25 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
Garnish:
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Cooking Liquids:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 0.25 cup chicken broth
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and prepare a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for optimal chicken roasting.
- Combine honey, black pepper, red pepper flakes, salt, and garlic powder in a mixing bowl to create a robust, zesty marinade for the chicken breasts.
- Thoroughly coat each chicken breast in the spicy-sweet marinade, ensuring complete and even coverage for maximum flavor infusion.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear the marinated chicken breasts for 3-4 minutes per side, developing a golden-brown exterior.
- Transfer the seared chicken to the prepared baking sheet and roast in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- While the chicken roasts, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil and cook elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente.
- In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium heat, then whisk in flour to create a smooth roux, cooking for 1-2 minutes to eliminate raw flour taste.
- Gradually pour in milk and heavy cream, continuously whisking to prevent lumps and create a silky base for the cheese sauce.
- Reduce heat to low and fold in shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until the sauce becomes uniformly creamy and glossy.
- Drain the cooked macaroni and fold it into the cheese sauce, ensuring each pasta piece is luxuriously coated.
- Remove chicken from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes to redistribute internal juices.
- Drizzle chicken broth over the chicken for added moisture and depth of flavor.
- Slice the roasted chicken and arrange over the creamy macaroni.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant, herbaceous finish.
Notes
- Marinate chicken ahead of time for deeper flavor penetration, letting it sit in the spicy-sweet mixture for up to 2 hours before cooking.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches exact 165°F, preventing overcooking and maintaining juicy texture.
- Experiment with cheese varieties like smoked gouda or pepper jack for a unique macaroni cheese twist that complements the honey pepper chicken.
- Adjust spice levels by reducing red pepper flakes for mild palates or adding extra for heat lovers, making the dish adaptable to different taste preferences.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 13 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg