Comfort Food Dinner: Honey Garlic Chicken & Mac and Cheese
Sweet and savory honey garlic butter chicken served over creamy, protein-rich mac & cheese for a bold and comforting dinner in 30 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
1½ lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into pieces
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
½ tsp paprika
1 tbsp oil
3 tbsp butter
4 garlic cloves, minced
⅓ cup honey
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp lemon juice or vinegar
For the Mac & Cheese:
8 oz elbow macaroni
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp flour
1½ cups milk
1½ cups shredded cheddar
½ cup shredded mozzarella
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Season chicken with salt, pepper, and paprika. Sear in oil until cooked. Set aside.
- In the same pan, melt butter and sauté garlic. Add honey, soy sauce, and lemon juice. Simmer 1–2 minutes.
- Return chicken to pan. Toss in glaze and simmer 2–3 minutes.
- In a separate pan, melt butter. Stir in flour, then milk. Cook until thick.
- Add cheese and stir until melted. Combine with pasta and season to taste.
- Serve chicken over mac & cheese with extra glaze.
Notes
Add steamed broccoli for a veggie boost. Use chickpea pasta or plant-based options for more protein or dietary needs.