Honey Pepper Mac & Chicken (Printer-Friendly Layout)
Sweet, zingy chicken and crispy bacon team up on cheesy pasta for a cozy, fun meal.
# Ingredients You'll Need:
→ Cheese Sauce
01 -
113 g unsalted butter
02 -
475 ml heavy cream
03 -
50 g shredded Parmesan
04 -
100 g mozzarella, freshly grated
05 -
85 g Colby Jack, shredded right before
06 -
2 to 3 garlic cloves, chopped small
→ Honey Pepper Sauce
07 -
180 ml honey
08 -
55 g light brown sugar
09 -
45 ml reduced-salt soy sauce
10 -
60 ml pineapple juice
11 -
Juice from one lemon
12 -
15 ml vinegar
13 -
1 tsp black pepper, ground fresh
14 -
0.25 tsp cayenne
→ Seasonings and Garnishes
15 -
Salt and cracked black pepper, add as needed
16 -
Hand-torn fresh basil, for topping
→ Protein
17 -
700 g crispy chicken strips, breaded
18 -
5 cooked bacon strips, crumbled over
→ Pasta
19 -
450 g spiral-shaped pasta
# Step-by-Step Instructions:
01 -
Ladle some creamy noodles onto plates or into bowls, pile on the honey-pepper glazed chicken strips, throw more bacon crumbles if you’re into it, and finish with plenty of basil.
02 -
Toss the cooked chicken strips into the cooled honey pepper sauce. Move them around to cover every bit.
03 -
Tip your drained noodles into the finished cheese sauce and stir until everything’s coated and glossy. Add most of those bacon crumbles and give it all another stir.
04 -
In a large pan over medium heat, melt the butter. Slowly pour in cream, whisk it all together, then start adding in Parmesan, mozzarella, and Colby Jack a handful at a time, stirring so it stays silky. Sprinkle in garlic, then hit it with salt and pepper to your liking.
05 -
Toss honey, light brown sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice, lemon juice, vinegar, black pepper, and cayenne into a saucepan. Give it a stir, bring to a light boil, then drop the heat and simmer for about 15 minutes, just until it thickens up a touch. Lift it off the stove to cool down.
06 -
Fill a big pot with salted water and boil it. Drop in your spiral pasta, cook until it’s just firm enough (al dente), strain really well, and set aside.
07 -
Heat up the breaded chicken strips—either toss ‘em in the oven or fry them—just follow the box. Keep them warm when you’re done.
# Extra Tips and Tricks:
01 -
Juicy honey pepper chicken with a bit of heat brings a sweet-salty twist to gooey mac and cheese.
02 -
It’s extra creamy thanks to melting Parmesan, mozzarella, and Colby Jack for a topping that pulls and stretches.