Name: High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
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)

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.

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.

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.