Description
High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese. Enjoy tender chicken, creamy mac, and a sweet-savory sauce. Your delicious, protein-packed meal!
Ingredients
Scale
- Chicken & Mac Base:
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 8 oz elbow macaroni
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2.5 cups whole milk
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
- Honey Garlic Sauce:
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (or more, to taste)
- Seasonings & Essentials:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Finishing Touches:
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 green onions, sliced
Instructions
- Prep the Chicken:: First things first, let’s get that chicken ready. Pat your boneless, skinless chicken breasts super dry with paper towels—this helps them get a beautiful sear. Then, slice them into bite-sized pieces, about 1-inch cubes. Now, sprinkle them generously with salt, black pepper, and that lovely smoked paprika. Toss them around a bit in a bowl to make sure every piece is coated. I always seem to get seasoning all over my counter here, but that’s just part of the process, right? This step is crucial for flavor, so don’t rush it!
- Sear the Chicken:: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add a tablespoon of olive oil. Once shimmering, add your seasoned chicken pieces in a single layer. Don’t overcrowd the pan, or they’ll steam instead of sear – you might need to do this in batches. Cook for about 3-4 minutes per side until they’re golden brown and cooked through. I always get excited at this point because the smell of the searing chicken and paprika is just incredible. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside; don’t clean the pan just yet, we want those browned bits for flavor!
- Whip Up the Honey Garlic Sauce:: Reduce the heat to medium. Add 2 tablespoons of butter to the same skillet, letting it melt. Then, toss in all that minced fresh garlic – oh, the aroma! Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being super careful not to burn it, because burnt garlic is a sad, bitter thing. Stir in the honey, low-sodium soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar. Bring it to a gentle simmer, letting it thicken slightly for about 2-3 minutes. This is where the magic happens, honestly, the way the sauce starts to bubble and smell so sweet and savory. Stir in the red pepper flakes now.
- Return Chicken to Sauce:: Once your High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken sauce has thickened a bit, return the cooked chicken pieces to the skillet. Toss everything together, making sure every piece of chicken is beautifully coated in that sticky, glossy honey garlic butter sauce. Let it simmer gently for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the chicken to soak up all those incredible flavors. This step always makes me think of those sticky takeout chicken dishes, but ours is so much better, and you know exactly what went into it!
- Cook the Macaroni:: While your chicken is getting saucy, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add your elbow macaroni and cook according to package directions until al dente. This is where I always forget to salt the water enough, so don’t be like me! Drain the macaroni really well and set aside. Don’t rinse it; we want that starch to help the cheese sauce stick. My kitchen always gets a little steamy here, but that’s just a sign of good things cooking!
- Make the Cheese Sauce:: In a separate large saucepan, melt the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to create a roux. It should smell a little nutty. Gradually whisk in the whole milk, a little at a time, until smooth. Keep whisking until the sauce thickens and starts to bubble, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese until completely melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Honestly, this is the part where I always taste it five times to make sure it’s perfect; oops, sometimes I add too much salt initially!
- Combine and Serve Your High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese:: Add the drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until evenly coated and creamy. Now, you can either serve the High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken directly over a bed of the mac & cheese, or, if you’re like me and love a good mix, gently fold the chicken and its sauce into the mac & cheese. Garnish generously with fresh chopped parsley and green onions. The vibrant colors just make it pop! This dish is so comforting and satisfying, a real hug in a bowl, perfect for those nights when you just need something hearty and delicious.