Description
This Spicy Honey Chicken and Mac is a delightful fusion dish combining tender, golden-brown chicken pieces tossed in a sweet and spicy honey-soy sauce, mixed with creamy cheddar macaroni. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner, this recipe balances savory, sweet, and spicy flavors with a rich, cheesy finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 lbs chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
Pasta and Cheese
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Garnish
- 1/4 cup green onions, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Gather all ingredients and measure them accurately. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels to ensure better browning during cooking.
- Cook Macaroni: In a large pot, bring water to a boil and cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Make Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and crushed red pepper flakes. Set this spicy honey sauce aside to use later.
- Heat Skillet: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil. Allow the oil to heat until it shimmers, indicating it’s hot and ready for cooking.
- Cook Chicken: Dredge the chicken pieces in the all-purpose flour, coating them evenly. Add the coated chicken to the hot skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.
- Add Sauce to Chicken: Pour the prepared honey-soy sauce over the cooked chicken in the skillet. Stir well and cook for 3-5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and coat the chicken fully.
- Combine Pasta and Chicken: Add the cooked elbow macaroni directly to the skillet with the chicken and sauce. Toss everything together thoroughly to combine all the flavors.
- Add Cream and Cheese: Stir in the heavy cream and shredded cheddar cheese until the cheese is melted and the mixture is creamy. Remove from heat.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the chopped green onions over the top as a fresh garnish just before serving. Enjoy your Spicy Honey Chicken and Mac warm.
Notes
- Patting the chicken dry before flouring helps achieve a crispy, golden crust.
- Adjust crushed red pepper flakes to control the spice level according to your preference.
- Using freshly shredded cheddar cheese melts better and provides superior flavor to pre-shredded varieties.
- This dish is best enjoyed immediately but can be refrigerated and reheated within 2 days.
- For a gluten-free variation, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and use gluten-free pasta.
