Description
A delicious and hearty High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken served alongside creamy homemade Mac & Cheese. This flavorful meal features marinated chicken cooked in a honey garlic butter sauce paired with rich, cheesy elbow macaroni, perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner or meal prep.
Ingredients
Chicken Marinade
- 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
Chicken Cooking
- 3 tbsp avocado oil (or oil of choice)
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp freshly chopped parsley
Mac & Cheese Sauce
- 2 tbsp butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated mozzarella
- 1/2 cup freshly grated cheddar cheese
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Pasta
- 12 oz elbow macaroni, cooked al dente
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine the cubed chicken with olive oil, minced garlic, smoked paprika, garlic powder, dried parsley, salt, and black pepper. Mix well and allow to marinate for 10 minutes to enhance flavor.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the marinated chicken. Cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is fully cooked and no longer pink. Reduce the heat to low, then stir in the butter, honey, and freshly chopped parsley. Allow the butter to melt and coat the chicken evenly, then set the chicken aside.
- Make the Mac & Cheese Sauce: In the same skillet, add butter to deglaze the pan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes until golden and fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream and let it gently simmer.
- Melt the Cheese: Stir in shredded mozzarella, cheddar cheese, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix continuously until the cheese melts completely, forming a smooth and creamy sauce.
- Cook the Pasta: Boil the elbow macaroni following package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent overcooking.
- Combine: Add the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce and stir well. Let it simmer on low heat for about 5 minutes so the pasta absorbs the flavors, stirring occasionally.
- Serve & Store: Serve the honey garlic butter chicken alongside or on top of the mac & cheese. Enjoy warm, or divide into four airtight containers for convenient meal prep.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken, even briefly, elevates the flavor significantly.
- Use freshly grated cheese for the best melt and flavor in the mac & cheese.
- Rinsing the pasta helps prevent clumping and stops residual cooking.
- For a lower fat option, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half.
- This recipe reheats well in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of cream or milk.
