Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Sweet & Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken with Creamy Mac & Cheese Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 85 reviews
  • Author: Marina
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

This Sweet & Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken with Creamy Mac & Cheese is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender, bite-sized chicken thighs glazed in a sticky honey-soy glaze, paired perfectly with rich and cheesy homemade mac & cheese. The combination of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors makes this recipe a satisfying dinner option for any night of the week.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • Salt and freshly cracked black pepper (to taste)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 3 tbsp honey
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

Mac & Cheese

  • 8 oz elbow macaroni
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 2 tbsp flour
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Salt (to taste)
  • Optional: fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prepare the chicken: Cut chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces. Pat them dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste.
  2. Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces in batches to avoid overcrowding, searing until golden brown and cooked through, about 4-5 minutes per batch. Remove cooked chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  3. Make the glaze: In the same skillet, melt a little more butter if needed and sauté minced garlic until fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add honey and soy sauce and simmer for 1 to 2 minutes until slightly thickened.
  4. Glaze the chicken: Return the chicken to the skillet and toss to coat evenly in the honey-soy glaze. Cook for another 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce becomes sticky and caramelized, coating the chicken well.
  5. Cook the macaroni: Meanwhile, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8 minutes. Drain well and set aside.
  6. Prepare the cheese sauce: In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux. Slowly add whole milk and heavy cream, whisking constantly until the mixture is smooth and starts to thicken.
  7. Add cheeses: Stir in shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses until fully melted and the sauce is creamy. Season with salt to taste.
  8. Combine macaroni and sauce: Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir well to coat all the pasta. If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a splash of milk until desired consistency is reached.
  9. Serve: Spoon the creamy mac & cheese into bowls, top with the sticky honey pepper glazed chicken, and garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

  • For extra heat, add a pinch of red chili flakes to the glaze.
  • Use low-sodium soy sauce to control salt levels.
  • Ensure the chicken pieces are dry before searing for a better caramelized crust.
  • Leftover mac & cheese can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days and reheated gently with a splash of milk.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: honey pepper chicken, creamy mac and cheese, chicken thigh recipe, cheesy pasta, sweet and spicy chicken

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can't wait to see what you've made!

Find it online: https://marinamontclair.com/sweet-and-spicy-honey-pepper-chicken-with-creamy-mac-and-cheese-recipe/