High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese Recipe

Introduction

This High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese is a comforting and flavorful dish perfect for any night of the week. Tender chicken tossed in a sweet and savory sauce pairs beautifully with creamy, cheesy macaroni. It’s a satisfying meal that’s easy to prepare and sure to please the whole family.

Ingredients

• 3 chicken breasts, cubed
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp dried parsley
• 2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 3 tbsp avocado oil (or oil of choice)
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp freshly chopped parsley
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1/2 cup freshly grated mozzarella
• 1/2 cup freshly grated cheddar cheese
• 12 oz elbow macaroni (cooked al dente)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Marinate the cubed chicken with olive oil, minced garlic, smoked paprika, garlic powder, dried parsley, salt, and black pepper for about 10 minutes.
2. Step 2: Cook the marinated chicken in a skillet over medium heat for 10-15 minutes until fully cooked. Stir in butter, honey, and chopped parsley.
3. Step 3: In the same skillet, sauté additional minced garlic in butter before adding heavy cream. Allow it to bubble gently.
4. Step 4: Stir in mozzarella and cheddar until melted and creamy.
5. Step 5: Boil elbow macaroni until al dente; drain and rinse under cold water.
6. Step 6: Combine cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce and simmer on low for about 5 minutes.

Tips & Variations

• Use a mix of cheeses like gouda or Monterey Jack for a different creamy flavor.
• For extra protein, add cooked bacon bits or sautéed mushrooms to the mac and cheese.
• If you prefer less sweetness, reduce the honey to 1 teaspoon or omit it entirely.
• Cooking chicken with skin-on can add more richness, but adjust cooking time accordingly.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm gently in a skillet or microwave, adding a splash of milk or cream to restore creaminess if needed.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, any short pasta like penne, rotini, or shells works well for this recipe. Just cook according to package instructions until al dente.

Is it possible to make this dish dairy-free?

You can substitute the butter with a dairy-free alternative and use coconut or almond cream instead of heavy cream. Choose dairy-free cheese options or nutritional yeast for the cheesy flavor.

High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 123 reviews

A rich and satisfying High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken paired with creamy, cheesy Mac & Cheese. Tender cubed chicken is marinated and cooked in a savory honey garlic butter sauce, then combined with a luscious blend of mozzarella and cheddar cheeses over perfectly cooked elbow macaroni to create a comforting, protein-packed meal.

• Author: Windy
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken and Marinade

• 3 chicken breasts, cubed
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp dried parsley
• 2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Cooking and Sauce

• 3 tbsp avocado oil (or oil of choice)
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp freshly chopped parsley
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1/2 cup freshly grated mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup freshly grated cheddar cheese

Pasta

• 12 oz elbow macaroni (cooked al dente)

Instructions

1. Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, combine cubed chicken breasts with olive oil, minced garlic, smoked paprika, garlic powder, dried parsley, salt, and black pepper. Allow the chicken to marinate for about 10 minutes to absorb the flavors.
2. Cook the Chicken: Heat a skillet over medium heat and add avocado oil. Cook the marinated chicken cubes for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally until fully cooked and golden brown. Then, stir in butter, honey, and freshly chopped parsley to create a flavorful honey garlic butter coating on the chicken.
3. Prepare the Sauce: In the same skillet, add additional butter and sauté more minced garlic until fragrant. Pour in heavy cream and let it bubble gently to warm through.
4. Add the Cheese: Stir in the freshly grated mozzarella and cheddar cheeses into the warmed cream. Continue stirring until the cheeses melt completely, forming a creamy cheese sauce.
5. Cook the Pasta: Meanwhile, boil the elbow macaroni in salted water until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.
6. Combine and Simmer: Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce in the skillet. Stir gently and simmer on low heat for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
7. Serve: Plate the cheesy macaroni and top with the honey garlic butter chicken. Garnish with extra parsley if desired and serve warm.

Notes

• For a lower-fat option, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a light cream alternative.
• Ensure the chicken is cooked thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safety.
• Use freshly grated cheese for better melting and creamier texture compared to pre-shredded cheese which may contain anti-caking agents.
• Cook the pasta al dente to prevent it from becoming mushy when combined with the sauce.
• This recipe can easily be doubled to serve more people or to have leftovers.

Keywords: Honey garlic chicken, butter chicken, mac and cheese, high protein dinner, creamy pasta, easy chicken recipe