Honey Garlic Chicken Mac (Printable Recipe)

Flavorful chicken and creamy mac & cheese in one satisfying high-protein meal.

# Ingredients You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 1.5 lb chicken breasts, cubed
02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
05 - 1 tsp garlic powder
06 - 1 tsp dried parsley
07 - Salt and black pepper to taste
08 - 2 tbsp butter
09 - 1.5 tbsp honey
10 - 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

→ Mac & Cheese

11 - 8 oz elbow macaroni
12 - 1 tbsp butter
13 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
14 - 1 cup heavy cream
15 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
16 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
17 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
18 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
19 - Salt and black pepper to taste

# Steps to Follow:

01 - In a large bowl, mix cubed chicken with olive oil, garlic, paprika, garlic powder, dried parsley, salt, and pepper. Let it marinate for 10 minutes.
02 - Heat a skillet over medium heat and add the marinated chicken. Cook for 10–15 minutes until golden and fully cooked.
03 - Reduce heat to low. Stir in butter, honey, and chopped parsley until melted and coated. Set aside.
04 - Cook elbow macaroni according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking.
05 - In the same skillet, add butter and minced garlic. Cook 2–3 minutes until fragrant. Add heavy cream and let it bubble gently.
06 - Add mozzarella, cheddar, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir over low heat until smooth and creamy.
07 - Add cooked macaroni to cheese sauce and let simmer for 5 minutes over low heat to meld flavors.
08 - Combine the glazed chicken and mac and cheese. Serve warm or divide into four containers for storage.

# Extra Tips:

01 - Marinate chicken for at least 10 minutes to enhance flavor; longer marination increases depth.
02 - Use freshly grated cheese to ensure a smoother, creamier sauce and prevent graininess.
03 - Reheat with a splash of milk to restore creamy consistency in the mac and cheese.