A comforting twist on classic mac and cheese with honey, pepper, and tender shredded chicken.
Author:platefulkitchen
Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:30 minutes
Total Time:45 minutes
Yield:4 servings 1x
Category:Main Course
Method:Baking
Cuisine:American
Diet:Non-Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
8 ounces macaroni pasta
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste
2 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
1/4 cup honey
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Prepare the chicken: In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the shredded chicken along with black pepper and a pinch of salt. Sauté for about 4-5 minutes until warmed through. Remove from heat and set aside.
Make the cheese sauce: In the same skillet, add the butter. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until light golden brown.
Add the milk: Gradually whisk in the milk, stirring to avoid lumps. Continue cooking until thickened and bubbling, about 5-6 minutes.
Incorporate the cheese: Reduce heat to low and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and smooth.
Combine everything: Add cooked macaroni and shredded chicken to the cheese sauce. Drizzle in the honey and mix thoroughly.
Season and serve: Taste and adjust seasonings with salt and pepper as needed.
Notes
For a spicy twist, add crushed red pepper or jalapeños to the chicken.
Nutrition
Serving Size:1 cup
Calories:450
Sugar:10g
Sodium:600mg
Fat:15g
Saturated Fat:8g
Unsaturated Fat:5g
Trans Fat:0g
Carbohydrates:52g
Fiber:2g
Protein:22g
Cholesterol:50mg
Keywords: mac and cheese, creamy pasta, chicken pasta, comfort food, family dinner