Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese
Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese combines creamy Parmesan, mozzarella, and Colby Jack cheese sauce with spiral noodles, crispy bacon, and breaded chicken strips coated in a sweet and spicy honey pepper sauce. Fresh basil adds a bright finishing touch.
Equipment
- pot For cooking the spiral noodles.
- saucepan For preparing the honey pepper sauce.
- large pan For preparing the cheese sauce and combining the pasta.
- colander For draining the cooked noodles.
- serving dish One large serving dish.
Ingredients
- 1 16 oz box spiral noodles
- 1 25 oz bag breaded chicken strips
- 5 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- salt and pepper to taste
- fresh basil for garnish
- 3/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 3 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup pineapple juice
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 1 tbsp vinegar
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 stick butter
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, freshly shredded
- 3/4 cup Colby Jack cheese, freshly shredded
- 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
- chopped fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Follow the package instructions to either bake or fry the breaded chicken strips. Once cooked, set them aside.
- Cook the spiral noodles in boiling water according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a saucepan, combine the honey, brown sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice, lemon juice, vinegar, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for about 15 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. Let it cool down after simmering.
- In a large pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the heavy cream and stir well. Gradually add the Parmesan, mozzarella, and Colby Jack cheese, stirring continuously until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth. Add the minced garlic and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Toss the cooked pasta in the cheese sauce until evenly coated. Stir in the crumbled bacon for extra flavor.
- Dip the cooked chicken strips into the honey pepper sauce, making sure they are fully coated.
- Plate the cheesy pasta, top with the honey pepper chicken strips, and garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired. Add more crumbled bacon for extra indulgence!
Notes
This mac and cheese features a sweet and spicy honey pepper chicken topping with crispy bacon. The creamy cheese sauce is a rich blend of Parmesan, mozzarella, and Colby Jack cheeses.