Why make this recipe
High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese is a delicious dish that combines the savory flavors of chicken with the creamy goodness of mac and cheese. This recipe not only satisfies your taste buds but also packs a protein punch, making it a great choice for a hearty meal. It’s perfect for families or anyone who loves a comforting dish that still supports their nutrition goals.
How to make High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese
Ingredients:
- 3 chicken breasts (cubed)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- 2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 3 tbsp avocado oil (or oil of choice)
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp freshly chopped parsley
- 2 tbsp butter
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated mozzarella
- 1/2 cup freshly grated cheddar cheese
- 12 oz elbow macaroni (cooked al dente)
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Directions:
Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, mix the cubed chicken with olive oil, minced garlic, smoked paprika, garlic powder, dried parsley, salt, and black pepper. Let it marinate for 10 minutes while you get the other ingredients ready.
Cook the Chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the marinated chicken. Cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is fully cooked. Lower the heat and mix in the butter, honey, and chopped parsley. Let it melt and coat the chicken, then set it aside.
Make the Mac & Cheese: In the same skillet, add some butter to deglaze the pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes until it is golden and fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream and let it gently bubble.
Melt the Cheese: Stir in the mozzarella, cheddar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix everything until smooth and creamy.
Cook the Pasta: Boil the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions. After cooking, drain and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process.
Combine: Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and let it simmer on low for about 5 minutes, allowing all the flavors to blend together.
Serve & Store: Enjoy the dish warm or divide it into four airtight containers for easy meal prep.
How to serve High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese
Serve this dish warm on a plate, and sprinkle some extra chopped parsley on top for a fresh look. It pairs well with a simple green salad or steamed vegetables for a full meal that satisfies both your cravings and your nutritional needs.
How to store High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese
To keep leftovers fresh, store them in airtight containers in the refrigerator. It will stay good for about 3-4 days. You can reheat the chicken and mac & cheese in the microwave or on the stovetop when you’re ready to eat.
Tips to make High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese
- For extra flavor, consider adding some crushed red pepper flakes to the chicken or the cheese sauce.
- If you like your mac and cheese to have a crunchy top, top it with breadcrumbs before baking it for a few minutes until golden.
- Use different types of cheese like gouda or pepper jack for a twist on the original flavor.
Variation
You can easily make this dish with different proteins like shrimp or turkey. For a vegetarian option, swap the chicken for mushrooms or a plant-based protein, and use a vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
FAQs
1. Can I use frozen chicken?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken, but make sure to thaw it completely before marinating and cooking.
2. Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the chicken and mac and cheese in advance. Just reheat when you are ready to eat.
3. Is this recipe gluten-free?
To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta and check the labels on the other ingredients, like sauces and butter, to ensure they are gluten-free.
High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: High Protein
Description
A delicious dish that combines savory chicken with creamy mac and cheese, offering a hearty and nutritious meal.
Ingredients
- 3 chicken breasts (cubed)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- 2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 3 tbsp avocado oil (or oil of choice)
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp freshly chopped parsley
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated mozzarella
- 1/2 cup freshly grated cheddar cheese
- 12 oz elbow macaroni (cooked al dente)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix the cubed chicken with olive oil, minced garlic, smoked paprika, garlic powder, dried parsley, salt, and black pepper. Let it marinate for 10 minutes.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the marinated chicken. Cook for 10-15 minutes until fully cooked, then mix in the butter, honey, and chopped parsley, and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add butter to deglaze the pan and then add minced garlic, cooking for 2-3 minutes until golden.
- Pour in the heavy cream and let it gently bubble before stirring in mozzarella, cheddar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
- Boil the elbow macaroni according to package instructions, drain, and rinse under cold water.
- Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and let it simmer on low for about 5 minutes to combine flavors.
- Serve warm, garnished with extra chopped parsley.
Notes
For extra flavor, consider adding crushed red pepper flakes. For a crunchy top, top with breadcrumbs and bake until golden.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
Keywords: high protein, chicken, mac and cheese, comfort food, family meal
