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