Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese with Bacon Recipe

Crafting a mouth-watering honey pepper chicken mac and cheese can turn an ordinary dinner into a culinary adventure.

Comfort food reaches new heights with this unexpected flavor combination.

Creamy pasta gets a delicious upgrade through tender chicken pieces and a sweet-spicy sauce.

Crispy bacon adds an irresistible crunch that makes every bite memorable.

Weeknight meals never looked so tempting with this crowd-pleasing dish.

Bold spices and smooth cheese create a harmonious blend that will have everyone asking for seconds.

You’ll want to savor every single forkful of this incredible recipe.

Why Honey Pepper Chicken Mac And Cheese Is Loaded With Comfort

• Savor Flavor Fusion: This recipe brilliantly combines sweet honey pepper chicken with creamy mac and cheese, creating an explosion of taste that keeps everyone coming back for more.
• Tackle with Confidence: Designed for home cooks of all skill levels, the recipe breaks down into simple steps that make cooking feel like a fun adventure rather than a complicated task.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings, this dish transforms classic mac and cheese into an exciting meal that satisfies both kids and adults with its blend of crispy bacon, tender chicken, and rich cheese sauce.
• Quick and Customizable: With straightforward ingredients and flexible cooking methods, you can easily adapt the recipe to suit dietary preferences or use ingredients already in your kitchen.

What You’ll Need For Honey Pepper Chicken Mac And Cheese

• Chicken Strips: Protein that forms the key component of the dish.
• Spiral Pasta: Textured noodles that hold the creamy cheese sauce well.
• Heavy Cream: Creates a rich and smooth base for the cheese sauce.
• Cheeses: Provide creamy, melty texture and deep flavor to the mac and cheese.

• Honey, Brown Sugar: Sweet components that create a glossy glaze for the chicken.
• Soy Sauce, Pineapple Juice, Lemon Juice, Vinegar: Adds complexity and balance to the honey pepper sauce.
• Black Pepper, Cayenne Pepper: Provide heat and spicy depth to the chicken glaze.

• Butter: Helps create a smooth base for the cheese sauce.
• Bacon: Adds crispy, salty texture to the mac and cheese.
• Basil: Fresh herb for garnishing and adding a bright flavor.
• Garlic, Salt, Pepper: Seasonings that enhance overall dish flavor.

Steps To Make Creamy Chicken Mac With Bacon

Step 1: Prepare Crispy Protein

Cook chicken strips according to package instructions. Bake or fry until golden and crispy.

Set aside to rest while preparing other components.

Step 2: Cook Perfect Pasta

Boil spiral noodles in salted water until they reach al dente texture.

Drain and set aside, keeping them warm.

Step 3: Create Zesty Honey Pepper Glaze

• Honey
• Brown sugar
• Soy sauce
• Pineapple juice
• Lemon juice
• Vinegar
• Black pepper
• Cayenne pepper

Bring mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.

Allow glaze to cool and thicken slightly.

Step 4: Whip Up Luxurious Cheese Sauce

Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat.

• Cheddar cheese
• Parmesan cheese
• Cream cheese

Add minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth and creamy.

Step 5: Combine Pasta and Cheese

Mix cooked pasta with the velvety cheese sauce. Sprinkle in crispy crumbled bacon, stirring gently to distribute evenly.

Step 6: Glaze the Chicken

Coat prepared chicken strips generously with the honey pepper sauce, ensuring each piece is beautifully glazed.

Step 7: Plate and Garnish

Transfer cheesy pasta to serving plates.

Top with glazed chicken strips. Scatter fresh basil leaves for a vibrant finish.

Top Tips For Honey Pepper Chicken Mac Success

• Marinate chicken ahead of time for deeper flavor infusion and more tender meat.
• Use thick-cut bacon for extra crispiness and robust smoky taste in the mac and cheese.
• Experiment with different cheese combinations like sharp cheddar and gruyère for a more complex cheese sauce.
• Reduce honey pepper sauce on low heat to create a thicker, more concentrated glaze for chicken strips.
• For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk and use Greek yogurt to maintain creaminess.

Ways To Switch Up Honey Pepper Mac And Cheese

• Spicy Southern Remix: Replace honey pepper sauce with a zesty buffalo-style coating using hot sauce, creating a fiery Southern-inspired mac and cheese experience.
• Mediterranean Herb Fusion: Swap brown sugar for oregano and add feta cheese, transforming the dish with Mediterranean flavors and crumbled kalamata olives.
• Smoky BBQ Ranch Edition: Incorporate BBQ sauce into the honey glaze and sprinkle ranch seasoning into the cheese sauce for a bold, tangy southwestern profile.
• Cajun Seafood Swap: Substitute chicken with blackened shrimp or crawfish, adding Cajun seasoning to the cheese sauce for a New Orleans-style mac and cheese adventure.

Best Pairings For Honey Pepper Chicken Mac And Cheese

• Pair with Zesty White Wine: Select a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to cut through the richness of the mac and cheese, complementing the honey pepper chicken's sweet and spicy notes.
• Enhance with Tangy Slaw Side: Create a light coleslaw with apple cider vinegar and green onions to provide a refreshing contrast to the creamy, decadent pasta dish, balancing the meal's flavors.
• Match with Crisp Craft Beer: Choose a hoppy IPA or a light wheat beer to cleanse the palate, its carbonation and slight bitterness perfectly offsetting the dish's creamy and sweet elements.

Storage Tips For Keeping Chicken Mac And Cheese Creamy

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Keep chicken and pasta separate to maintain texture and prevent sogginess.
• Freeze: Transfer cooled mac and cheese to freezer-safe containers, avoiding bacon. Freeze for up to 2 months. Seal tightly to prevent freezer burn.
• Microwave Reheating: Place portion in microwave-safe dish, add splash of milk to restore creaminess. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until thoroughly warm.
• Oven Reheating: Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread mac and cheese in baking dish, cover with foil. Warm for 15-20 minutes, adding extra cheese on top for crispy layer.

Quick FAQs For Honey Pepper Chicken Mac With Bacon

• What makes the honey pepper sauce unique?

The sauce combines sweet honey, tangy pineapple juice, and spicy black and cayenne pepper for a complex flavor profile that perfectly balances sweet, sour, and heat.

• Can I make this dish spicier or milder?

Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to control the heat level. Remove it completely for a mild version or add more for extra spiciness.

• Is there a recommended cheese blend for the mac and cheese?

Use a combination of sharp cheddar and monterey jack for the best creamy texture and rich, tangy flavor that complements the honey pepper chicken.

• How do I ensure the chicken stays crispy when coated with sauce?

Pat the chicken dry before coating and apply the sauce just before serving to maintain the crispy exterior and prevent sogginess.

Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese with Crispy Bacon Recipe

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4.9 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Creamy honey pepper chicken mac and cheese with crispy bacon delivers pure comfort on a plate. Succulent chicken, golden bacon, and velvety cheese sauce combine to create a mouthwatering meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 25 ounces (709 grams) breaded chicken strips
• 5 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

Pasta and Cheese:

• 16 ounces (454 grams) spiral noodles
• 1/2 cup (50 grams) shredded parmesan cheese
• 1 cup (100 grams) mozzarella cheese, freshly shredded
• 3/4 cup (75 grams) Colby jack cheese, freshly shredded

Sauce and Seasonings:

• 3/4 cup (240 milliliters) honey
• 1/4 cup (50 grams) light brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) low-sodium soy sauce
• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) pineapple juice
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) vinegar
• 1 teaspoon (5 grams) black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon (1 gram) cayenne pepper
• 1 stick (113 grams) butter
• 2 cups (480 milliliters) heavy cream
• 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh basil, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven or prepare a skillet to cook chicken strips according to package instructions until golden and fully cooked, then set aside to rest.
2. Cook spiral pasta in salted boiling water for 8-10 minutes until perfectly tender, then drain and reserve.
3. Create honey pepper glaze by combining honey, brown sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice, lemon juice, vinegar, black pepper, and cayenne in a saucepan, simmering at medium heat for 15 minutes until slightly thickened.
4. Craft the creamy cheese sauce by melting butter in a separate pan, then gradually whisking in heavy cream and blending cheeses until smooth and velvety.
5. Incorporate minced garlic into the cheese sauce, seasoning with salt and pepper to enhance flavor profile.
6. Fold cooked pasta into the rich cheese sauce, ensuring even coating of noodles.
7. Crumble crispy bacon and gently mix into the cheesy pasta mixture.
8. Brush prepared chicken strips thoroughly with the reduced honey pepper glaze, creating a glossy and flavorful exterior.
9. Plate the cheesy pasta, arranging glazed chicken strips on top and garnishing with fresh basil leaves for a vibrant finish.

Notes

• Swap out heavy cream for Greek yogurt or half-and-half to reduce calories and make the dish lighter.
• Toast bread crumbs with parmesan for an extra crispy topping that adds texture and depth to the mac and cheese.
• For gluten-free options, use chickpea or rice pasta instead of traditional wheat pasta.
• Marinate chicken in honey pepper sauce overnight to intensify the flavor profile and create more tender meat.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 752
• Sugar: 31g
• Sodium: 1122mg
• Fat: 38g
• Saturated Fat: 20g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14g
• Trans Fat: 1g
• Carbohydrates: 70g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 32g
• Cholesterol: 126mg