High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese
A delightful combination of tender chicken in a sweet and savory honey garlic butter sauce served over creamy mac and cheese, perfect for cozy weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 3 pieces chicken breasts, cubed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 tablespoons avocado oil (or oil of choice)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley
For the Mac & Cheese
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated mozzarella
- 1/2 cup freshly grated cheddar cheese
- 12 ounces elbow macaroni (cooked al dente)
Instructions
Marination
- In a bowl, combine the chicken with olive oil, minced garlic, smoked paprika, garlic powder, dried parsley, salt, and black pepper. Let it sit for about 10 minutes to soak in those rich flavors.
Cooking Chicken
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the marinated chicken for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally until it's fully cooked and golden brown.
- Add in the butter, honey, and chopped parsley, then give it a gentle stir.
Creating Cheese Sauce
- In the same skillet, toss in additional minced garlic sautéed in butter before pouring in the heavy cream. Allow it to bubble gently to create a luscious base for your cheese sauce.
- Stir in the mozzarella and cheddar cheese. Watch as it melts into a gooey, creamy sauce.
Cooking Macaroni
- Meanwhile, boil the elbow macaroni until it's al dente, then drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.
Combining Ingredients
- Combine the cooked macaroni with the cheesy sauce. Let it simmer on low for about 5 minutes, allowing flavors to meld beautifully.
Notes
For a creative twist, add cooked spinach or broccoli, use gluten-free pasta options, or try different cheeses like Swiss or pepper jack.