Description
This Hot Honey Chicken Mac and Cheese combines creamy, cheesy macaroni with tender shredded chicken and a sweet-spicy drizzle of hot honey, creating a comforting dish perfect for a cozy dinner. Featuring seven delightful flavors spanning from sharp cheddar to zesty spices, it offers a balanced taste that will satisfy your cravings in just 35 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Mac and Cheese Base
- 8 oz elbow macaroni
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Chicken and Topping
- 1 lb chicken breast, cooked and shredded
- 1/4 cup hot honey
Instructions
- Cook macaroni: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make the roux: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter completely. Add the all-purpose flour and stir continuously to form a smooth roux, cooking for about 1-2 minutes to eliminate the raw flour taste.
- Add milk: Slowly whisk in the milk to the roux, ensuring there are no lumps. Continue whisking and cooking until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 3-5 minutes.
- Incorporate seasonings and cheese: Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Combine macaroni with cheese sauce: Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and mix well to coat all the pasta evenly.
- Top with chicken: Transfer the cheesy macaroni to serving plates or a casserole dish and evenly distribute the shredded cooked chicken over the top.
- Drizzle hot honey: Drizzle the hot honey directly over the shredded chicken to add a balance of sweetness and heat.
- Serve warm: Serve the hot honey chicken mac and cheese immediately while warm for the best flavor experience.
Notes
- You can substitute elbow macaroni with other short pasta like shells or penne.
- For spicier heat, increase the amount of hot honey or mix in a dash of cayenne pepper to the cheese sauce.
- Use freshly cooked chicken or leftover rotisserie chicken for convenience.
- For a creamier texture, use whole milk or add a splash of heavy cream.
- Make sure to cook the roux properly to avoid a floury taste and ensure a smooth sauce.
