Description
Indulge in the perfect comfort food with this Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken served over creamy mac and cheese. The crispy chicken coated in a sweet and spicy sauce pairs beautifully with the rich and cheesy pasta.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken:
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 2 eggs, beaten
- vegetable oil for frying
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
For the Creamy Mac and Cheese:
- 1/2 lb elbow macaroni
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- salt to taste
- chopped parsley or green onions for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the macaroni: Cook macaroni according to package instructions; drain and set aside.
- Make the cheese sauce: Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in milk and cook until thickened. Stir in cheddar and Parmesan cheese until melted. Season with salt.
- Prepare the chicken: Combine honey, soy sauce, vinegar, red pepper flakes, black pepper, and garlic powder in a saucepan. Cook until slightly thickened. Coat chicken in cornstarch, dip in eggs, then coat again in cornstarch. Fry until golden brown.
- Coat the chicken: Toss fried chicken in the spicy honey pepper sauce.
- Serve: Serve the chicken over the creamy mac and cheese. Garnish with parsley or green onions.
Notes
- Adjust the red pepper flakes for desired heat level.
- Alternative pasta shapes like rotini or shells can be used.
- Store-bought fried chicken bites can be used for a shortcut.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop, Deep Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 680
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 31g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 65g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 130mg