Ingredients for Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese DelightFor the Pasta and Chicken:Elbow Macaroni or Cavatappi Pasta: The pasta is the foundation of this dish. Elbow macaroni or cavatappi works perfectly to hold the creamy cheese sauce, ensuring every bite is filled with flavor.Boneless Chicken Breast: The chicken is marinated with seasonings to provide a flavorful, golden coating, giving the dish an extra boost of protein and taste.Olive Oil: Used to cook the chicken and provide a slight crispness to the exterior, olive oil helps enhance the flavor profile.Butter: A touch of butter is used to sauté the chicken and bring richness to the honey sauce.Honey: Honey adds a natural sweetness, balancing the heat from the black pepper and enhancing the savory flavors of the chicken and cheese.Black Pepper: A sprinkle of black pepper provides a gentle heat that complements the sweetness of the honey and the creaminess of the cheese sauce.Paprika, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Salt: These spices and seasonings contribute a depth of flavor that makes the chicken perfectly seasoned.For the Cheese Sauce:Heavy Cream: Heavy cream is used as the base for the creamy cheese sauce, providing a rich and smooth texture.Cheddar Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese: A combination of cheddar and mozzarella brings both sharpness and meltability, creating the perfect cheese sauce for your pasta.Parmesan Cheese: Parmesan adds an extra layer of depth and a slightly nutty flavor to the sauce, enhancing its richness.Chopped Parsley: A sprinkle of parsley serves as a garnish, adding a fresh touch to the dish and making it more visually appealing.Step-by-Step Instructions for Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese Delight1. Cook the PastaBegin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni or cavatappi pasta and cook according to the package instructions until the pasta is al dente. Drain and set the pasta aside.2. Season and Cook the ChickenIn a bowl, toss the chicken breast pieces with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper until the chicken is evenly coated.Next, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken pieces to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Once done, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.3. Prepare the Honey Pepper SauceIn the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add the honey and stir until the mixture begins to bubble, creating a sweet and savory sauce. Once the sauce is bubbling, return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss to coat the chicken in the honey pepper sauce. Set the chicken aside in the skillet, allowing it to soak up the sauce.4. Make the Creamy Cheese SauceIn a separate saucepan, pour the heavy cream and heat it over low heat. Slowly whisk in the cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese, stirring constantly until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy. This creates the rich, velvety cheese sauce that will coat your pasta.5. Combine the Pasta and Cheese SauceOnce the cheese sauce is ready, add the cooked pasta to the saucepan and stir well, making sure each piece of pasta is evenly coated with the creamy sauce.6. Assemble the DishTransfer the cheesy pasta to a serving dish and top it with the honey pepper chicken. Make sure the chicken is evenly distributed over the pasta to ensure every bite is packed with flavor.7. Garnish and ServeFinally, garnish the dish with a sprinkle of chopped parsley to add a pop of color and freshness. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy this deliciously creamy, sweet, and savory dish.Enjoy!
Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese Delight
