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High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese

A delicious fusion of tender chicken in honey garlic sauce with creamy mac & cheese, packed with protein and easy to make.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Comfort Food
Calories: 780

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 3 pieces 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
For the Mac & Cheese
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated mozzarella
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated cheddar cheese
  • 12 oz elbow macaroni (cooked al dente)

Method
 

Marinate the Chicken
  1. In a bowl, combine the cubed chicken with olive oil, minced garlic, smoked paprika, garlic powder, dried parsley, salt, and black pepper. Make sure the chicken is well-coated with the marinade. Let it sit for about 10 minutes.
Cook the Chicken
  1. Heat a skillet over medium heat and add the marinated chicken. Cook for about 10-15 minutes until completely cooked through and no longer pink inside.
  2. Stir in the butter, honey, and chopped parsley, mixing them in well and then set the chicken aside.
Make the Mac & Cheese
  1. In the same skillet, add butter and minced garlic, cooking until the garlic releases its aroma.
  2. Pour in the heavy cream and let it bubble gently.
  3. Stir in the freshly grated mozzarella and cheddar cheese, along with more smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until smooth and creamy.
Cook the Pasta
  1. In a separate pot, boil the elbow macaroni until al dente, then drain and rinse under cold water.
Combine
  1. Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce in the skillet. Stir to combine and simmer for about 5 minutes.
Serve & Store
  1. Serve warm straight from the skillet. Store leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator.

Notes

Use fresh ingredients for the best flavor; adjust spices to suit your taste. Experiment with cheese options or protein alternatives, and feel free to add vegetables for added nutrition.