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Hot Honey Chicken Mac N Cheese Recipe

Hot Honey Chicken Mac N Cheese Recipe
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★★★★★

5.1 from 21 reviews

A comforting and flavorful Hot Honey Chicken Mac N Cheese combines creamy, cheesy macaroni with succulent, spice-seasoned chicken thighs glazed in sweet and spicy hot honey. This easy-to-make casserole is perfect for weeknight dinners or any occasion that calls for a delicious twist on classic mac and cheese.

Ingredients

Scale

Macaroni and Cheese

  • 2 cups elbow macaroni
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (for roux)
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika

Chicken

  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 tablespoon oil or butter (for frying)
  • 1/3 cup hot honey (or to taste)
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to get it ready for baking the assembled dish.
  2. Cook the macaroni: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and boil until just al dente, usually about 7-8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  3. Make the cheese sauce: In a saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour and cook for about 1 minute to create a roux. Gradually whisk in 2 cups of whole milk until the mixture is smooth. Continue cooking until the sauce thickens, about 3-5 minutes.
  4. Add cheese and seasoning: Stir in 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese and 1 cup mozzarella cheese until melted and smooth. Season the cheese sauce with salt and black pepper to taste.
  5. Combine macaroni and cheese sauce: Fold the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce until all pasta is evenly coated.
  6. Prepare the chicken: Season 1 lb of boneless skinless chicken thighs with 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon paprika, salt, and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil or butter in a skillet over medium-high heat.
  7. Cook the chicken: Fry the chicken thighs for 4–5 minutes on each side until they are cooked through and nicely golden brown.
  8. Glaze the chicken: While the chicken is still warm, brush or spoon 1/3 cup of hot honey evenly over the pieces for a sweet and spicy glaze.
  9. Assemble the dish: Pour the cheesy macaroni into a baking dish, then arrange the honey-glazed chicken on top.
  10. Bake: Place the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the mac and cheese is bubbling and slightly golden on top.
  11. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh parsley if desired, and serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.

Notes

  • For a spicier kick, increase the amount of hot honey or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the chicken seasoning.
  • Use chicken breasts if preferred, though thighs offer more moisture and flavor.
  • You can substitute whole milk with 2% milk for a lighter option.
  • Make sure not to overcook the macaroni before baking; it should be slightly firm as it will cook more in the oven.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best texture retention.

Nutrition

Keywords: mac and cheese, hot honey chicken, baked casserole, comfort food, cheesy pasta, spicy honey glaze

Find it online: https://bakedbylisa.com/hot-honey-chicken-mac-n-cheese-recipe/