Sweet and spicy honey pepper chicken paired with creamy macaroni cheese makes for a delightful meal that the whole family will love. The chicken is tender and flavorful, with just the right amount of sweetness and heat. Meanwhile, the macaroni cheese is rich, creamy, and oh-so-cozy, making this dish perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner or a family get-together.
Why This Dish Is Great
This recipe is all about ease and enjoyment. With just a few everyday ingredients, you can create a delicious meal that tastes like a hug on a plate. It’s a quick recipe that doesn’t skimp on flavor, making it an ideal choice for busy parents. The combination of sweet and spicy chicken alongside creamy macaroni will surely have everyone asking for seconds.
How to Make This Dish
Cooking this meal is straightforward and perfect for beginners. You’ll start with marinating and cooking the chicken, followed by making the creamy macaroni cheese. It’s all about combining simple steps to bring out those comforting flavors that everyone can enjoy. Just follow the steps, and in no time, you’ll have a delightful dinner ready to serve.
What You Need
For the Chicken:
- 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp sriracha or hot chili sauce
- 1 tbsp garlic, minced
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Chopped green onions for garnish
For the Macaroni Cheese:
- 8 oz elbow macaroni
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 cups milk
- 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/4 tsp ground mustard powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Step-by-Step
- Start by preparing the chicken marinade. In a bowl, mix honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, sriracha, minced garlic, black pepper, and salt. Combine well and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chicken pieces and cook until browned and just cooked through.
- Add the prepared marinade to the skillet with the chicken. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 5 minutes or until the sauce has thickened and coated the chicken well.
- While the chicken is cooking, prepare the macaroni. Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute until it forms a paste.
- Slowly add milk, whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Cook until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Add cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, ground mustard powder, and stir until fully melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until the pasta is thoroughly coated.
- To serve, plate the creamy macaroni cheese and top with sweet and spicy honey pepper chicken. Sprinkle chopped green onions for garnish.
Best Ways to Enjoy It
This dish is fantastic on its own, but you can elevate the meal with a fresh side salad or steamed veggies. For something extra special, consider serving it with warm garlic bread. This recipe is also great for gatherings or casual family dinners—everyone will appreciate the comforting flavors!
How to Store Leftovers
To keep your leftovers fresh, store the chicken and macaroni cheese in airtight containers. They can go in the fridge for up to 3 days. If you’d like to freeze them, portion them into freezer-safe containers. Just ensure to let them cool completely before freezing. When you’re ready to eat, you can reheat in the microwave or oven.
Tips for Success
- Make sure to cut the chicken into similar-sized pieces for even cooking.
- Adjust the heat level by adding more or less sriracha according to your family’s taste.
- For a smoother cheese sauce, make sure to whisk continuously when adding the milk.
- If you’re short on time, consider using rotisserie chicken for the honey pepper chicken.
- Don’t skip on the green onions; they add a fresh crunch that brightens up the dish.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts for a juicier option.
- Substitute honey with maple syrup for a different sweet flavor.
- You can use gluten-free pasta for a gluten-free macaroni cheese version.
- Swap the cheddar cheese for a milder cheese, like gouda, if preferred.
- For a vegetarian version, try using crispy tofu in place of chicken.
Common Questions
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can marinate the chicken a day in advance and cook the macaroni cheese right before serving. This will help the flavors deepen in the chicken.
Can I freeze leftovers?
Absolutely! Just store the chicken and macaroni cheese separately in airtight containers. They can last in the freezer for about 2-3 months.
What’s the best way to reheat?
Reheat in the microwave until hot, or in the oven at a low temperature. If reheating in the oven, cover the dish to prevent dryness.
Can I substitute any ingredients?
Certainly! For example, you can replace sriracha with a milder hot sauce if your family prefers less heat.
What are some good sides to serve with this meal?
A simple side salad or some steamed broccoli pairs wonderfully. You might also enjoy crusty bread for scooping up the macaroni cheese.
Sweet and Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken with Creamy Macaroni Cheese
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces Can substitute chicken thighs for juicier option.
- 1/2 cup honey Can substitute with maple syrup.
- 1/4 cup soy sauce Use low-sodium soy sauce for a healthier option.
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp sriracha or hot chili sauce Adjust based on heat preference.
- 1 tbsp garlic, minced
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- to taste chopped green onions for garnish
For the Macaroni Cheese
- 8 oz elbow macaroni Can use gluten-free pasta for a gluten-free version.
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 cups milk Whisk continuously to avoid lumps.
- 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded Can substitute with gouda for a milder flavor.
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/4 tsp ground mustard powder
- to taste salt and pepper
Instructions
Preparation
- In a bowl, mix honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, sriracha, minced garlic, black pepper, and salt to prepare the chicken marinade. Combine well and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chicken pieces and cook until browned and just cooked through.
- Add the prepared marinade to the skillet with chicken. Reduce heat to low and let simmer for about 5 minutes or until the sauce thickens.
- While the chicken is cooking, prepare the macaroni. Cook elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Making the Cheese Sauce
- In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute until it forms a paste.
- Slowly add milk, whisking continuously until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Add cheddar and mozzarella cheese, ground mustard powder, and stir until fully melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until the pasta is thoroughly coated.
Serving
- Plate the creamy macaroni cheese and top it with sweet and spicy honey pepper chicken. Sprinkle with chopped green onions for garnish.
