Name: High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 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; 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

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High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese is a delightful and satisfying meal that the whole family will love. The chicken is sweet, tender, and coated in a rich honey garlic butter sauce, making it a perfect pairing for the creamy mac and cheese. It’s great for busy weeknights when you want something comforting and delicious, without spending all day in the kitchen.

Why You Will Love This High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese

This dish is a fantastic choice for families. It’s easy to prepare and makes use of common ingredients that you likely already have at home. The combination of flavors is simply irresistible, with the cozy mac and cheese complementing the savory chicken perfectly. Plus, it’s filling and can be made in about 30 minutes, making it a quick go-to for dinner.

How to Make High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese

Making this meal is a breeze. Just marinate the chicken, cook it on the stovetop, and whip up a creamy cheese sauce for the pasta. It all comes together easily in one pan, saving you time on both cooking and cleanup. Let’s dive into the specific steps to get it on your table.

What You Need

Ingredients for High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese

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

Step-by-Step

How to Cook High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese

Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine the cubed chicken with olive oil, garlic, smoked paprika, garlic powder, parsley, salt, and black pepper. Let it marinate for 10 minutes while you prepare the other ingredients.
Cook the Chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the marinated chicken. Cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fully cooked. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the butter, honey, and chopped parsley. Let it melt and coat the chicken, then set aside.
Make the Mac & Cheese: In the same skillet, add butter to deglaze the pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes until 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 until smooth and creamy.
Cook the Pasta: Boil the elbow macaroni according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to prevent overcooking.
Combine: Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and let it simmer on low for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
Serve & Store: Enjoy warm or divide into four airtight containers for meal prep.

How to Serve High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese

This meal is perfect on its own, but you can also add a simple green salad or some steamed vegetables on the side for a fresh touch. For a little extra flavor, sprinkle some extra cheese or fresh herbs on top before serving. It’s great for busy weeknights or even a cozy family gathering.

How to Store High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese

Leftovers will keep well in the fridge for about 3-4 days in an airtight container. If you want to save it for longer, you can freeze the chicken and mac & cheese in separate containers. When ready to reheat, just warm it up in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through.

Recipe Tips

Make sure to cook the chicken until it’s fully cooked. The inside should be no longer pink.
For the best texture, use freshly grated cheese. It melts more smoothly than pre-packaged.
Feel free to swap out the pasta for a gluten-free option.
Adjust the seasoning to your family’s taste. Add more honey for sweetness or extra paprika for warmth.
Be careful not to overcook the pasta; it will continue to cook when mixed with the cheese sauce.

Variations & Swaps

For a lighter version, use chicken thighs instead of breasts, or swap the heavy cream for half and half.
Add some cooked vegetables like spinach or broccoli to the mac and cheese to make it heartier.
Substitute the chicken with shrimp or tofu for a different protein option.

FAQs

Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! You can marinate the chicken and prepare the cheese sauce a day ahead. Just store everything in separate airtight containers. When you’re ready to serve, simply combine and heat everything gently.

Can I freeze leftovers?
Absolutely. You can freeze the dish, but it’s best to freeze the chicken separately from the mac and cheese. This will help maintain the texture when reheating.

How do I reheat it?
You can reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop. Just add a splash of milk or cream to the mac and cheese to help bring back its creamy texture as it warms.

What if I don’t have smoked paprika?
Regular paprika can be used instead, but the flavor will be slightly different. You can also add a pinch of cayenne for a little heat.

Any common mistakes to avoid?
Be careful with cooking time. Overcooking the chicken will make it dry. Also, make sure to cook the pasta just until al dente, as it will continue cooking in the cheese sauce.