Protein Dinner with Creamy Mac and Honey BBQ Chicken
This high-protein comfort meal features creamy, low-carb mac and cheese paired with sticky-sweet honey BBQ chicken bites—perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or fueling post-workout recovery.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
Scale
For the Mac and Cheese:
- 8 oz high-protein pasta
- 1 cup cottage cheese or Greek yogurt
- ½ cup low-fat milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar
- ¼ cup grated parmesan
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp mustard powder
- ¼ tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Honey BBQ Chicken:
- 1 lb chicken breast or thighs, cut into bites
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt, pepper, garlic powder to taste
- ½ cup honey BBQ sauce
- 1 tbsp honey (optional)
Instructions
- Cook pasta until al dente. Drain and reserve ¼ cup of pasta water.
- Blend cottage cheese, milk, and seasonings until smooth. Heat in a saucepan over low and stir in cheeses. Combine with pasta.
- Season and sauté chicken in oil until browned and cooked through (6–8 minutes).
- Add BBQ sauce and honey to chicken. Simmer until glazed.
- Serve warm with mac and cheese and optional toppings.
Notes
Use Greek yogurt for a tangier sauce. For spicier chicken, add hot sauce to the glaze. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days.