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Easy Sweet and Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken with Creamy Mac and Cheese

Crispy pieces of honey pepper chicken covered in a thick, dark glaze served over creamy macaroni pasta.
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Make this easy honey pepper chicken dinner featuring a sweet and spicy glaze. Pair the flavorful chicken with rich, creamy macaroni and cheese for the ultimate comfort food meal perfect for weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • For the Sauce:
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust for spice level)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • For the Creamy Mac and Cheese (Use your favorite recipe or store-bought):
  • 1 pound elbow macaroni
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups whole milk
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded Gruyère or Monterey Jack cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the chicken: Season the chicken pieces lightly with salt and pepper.
  2. Make the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, cracked black pepper, red pepper flakes, and minced garlic. Set aside.
  3. Cook the chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.
  4. Glaze the chicken: Pour the prepared honey pepper sauce over the cooked chicken in the skillet. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken pieces well. Remove the skillet from the heat.
  5. Prepare the mac and cheese: While the chicken cooks, prepare your macaroni and cheese according to your preferred recipe. This usually involves cooking the pasta, making a roux with butter and flour, whisking in milk to create a béchamel, and melting in the cheeses until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
  6. Serve: Spoon a generous serving of the creamy macaroni and cheese onto plates. Top with the sticky, sweet and spicy honey pepper chicken.

Notes

  • For an extra sticky glaze, let the sauce simmer for an extra minute or two until it reduces slightly more.
  • If you prefer a less spicy dish, reduce the red pepper flakes to 1/2 teaspoon or omit them entirely.
  • This honey pepper chicken is excellent for meal prep; store the chicken and mac and cheese separately for best texture.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://juliameal.com/easy-honey-pepper-chicken-recipe/