High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese Recipe
This High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese is a flavorful and satisfying dish that combines tender marinated chicken breasts cooked in a rich honey garlic butter sauce with a creamy, cheesy mac and cheese. Perfect for meal prep or a comforting family dinner, this recipe blends savory spices with a hint of sweetness and creamy textures for a delightful twist on classic comfort food.
- 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
Chicken 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
Chicken Cooking
- 3 tbsp avocado oil (or oil of choice)
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp freshly chopped parsley
Mac & Cheese
- 2 tbsp butter
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup freshly grated cheddar cheese
- 12 oz elbow macaroni (cooked al dente)
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine the cubed chicken with olive oil, minced garlic, smoked paprika, garlic powder, dried parsley, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to coat all pieces evenly. Let it marinate for 10 minutes to absorb the flavors while you prepare the other ingredients.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add avocado oil. Add the marinated chicken pieces and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is fully cooked and lightly browned. Reduce the heat to low, then stir in the butter, honey, and freshly chopped parsley. Let the butter melt completely, coating the chicken with the honey garlic butter sauce. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the Mac & Cheese Sauce: In the same skillet, add butter over medium heat to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits. Add minced garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes until golden and fragrant, stirring continuously to avoid burning.
- Melt the Cheese: Pour in the heavy cream and bring it to a gentle simmer. Stir in the grated mozzarella and cheddar cheeses, along with smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Cook the Pasta: Meanwhile, boil the elbow macaroni in salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to prevent further cooking and sticking.
- Combine the Pasta and Cheese Sauce: Add the cooked and drained macaroni to the cheese sauce in the skillet. Stir well to coat the pasta thoroughly. Let it simmer on low heat for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Serve & Store: Serve the honey garlic butter chicken warm alongside or on top of the creamy mac and cheese. For meal prep, divide the dish into four airtight containers. Enjoy immediately or store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Notes
- For extra protein, consider adding a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese on top before serving.
- To keep the mac and cheese creamy when reheating, add a splash of milk or cream.
- Make sure not to overcook the pasta to maintain the perfect al dente texture.
- Use fresh herbs like parsley for a brighter flavor and garnish.
- This recipe can be adapted to gluten-free pasta if needed.
Keywords: Honey garlic chicken, high protein chicken recipe, creamy mac and cheese, easy dinner, meal prep chicken, comfort food, stovetop chicken recipes
