High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese

Why Make This Recipe

High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese is a delicious and satisfying meal that brings together tender, flavorful chicken with cheesy, creamy macaroni. This dish is not only tasty but also packed with protein, which makes it perfect for a filling lunch or dinner. The combination of honey, garlic, and buttery chicken creates a mouthwatering flavor that pairs perfectly with the comforting mac & cheese. It’s a perfect family-friendly recipe that everyone will love!

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

Ingredients

• 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

Directions

1. 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. Let it marinate for 10 minutes while you prepare the other ingredients.

2. 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.

3. Make the Mac & Cheese: 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 bubble.

4. Melt the Cheese: Stir in the mozzarella, cheddar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until smooth and creamy.

5. Cook the Pasta: Boil the elbow macaroni according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to prevent overcooking.

6. Combine: Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and let it simmer on low for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.

7. 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

Serve this dish warm on a plate or in a bowl. You can garnish it with some extra chopped parsley for a fresh touch. It’s perfect as a main dish for lunch or dinner, and it pairs well with a simple salad or steamed vegetables on the side.

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

To store any leftovers, place the chicken and mac & cheese in airtight containers. Keep them in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. If you want to store it for a longer period, you can freeze the container for up to 2 months. When ready to eat, thaw it in the fridge overnight and reheat until warm.

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

• You can adjust the level of honey based on your sweetness preference.
• For extra creaminess, you can add more heavy cream or cheese to the mac & cheese.
• If you prefer a little spice, consider adding red pepper flakes to the chicken for a kick.

Variation

Feel free to switch up the protein! You can use turkey, tofu, or even shrimp in place of chicken. For the mac & cheese, try using different types of pasta, like shells or rotini, to change the texture.

FAQs

1. Can I use frozen chicken?
   Yes, you can use frozen chicken. Just make sure to thaw it completely before marinating and cooking.

2. Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
   Absolutely! You can prepare the dish ahead of time and simply reheat it when you’re ready to eat.

3. Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
   Yes, this recipe is great for meal prep. Just store the portions in airtight containers, and you can enjoy it throughout the week!

High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese

Print Recipe

A delicious and satisfying meal combining tender chicken with cheesy, creamy macaroni, packed with protein for a filling lunch or dinner.

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 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 cups heavy cream
• 1/2 cup freshly grated mozzarella
• 1/2 cup freshly grated cheddar cheese
• 12 oz elbow macaroni (cooked al dente)

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine the cubed chicken with olive oil, minced garlic, smoked paprika, garlic powder, dried parsley, salt, and black pepper. Let it marinate for 10 minutes while you prepare the other ingredients.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Pour in the heavy cream and let it gently bubble.
5. Stir in the mozzarella, cheddar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until smooth and creamy.
6. Boil the elbow macaroni according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to prevent overcooking.
7. Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and let it simmer on low for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
8. Serve warm on a plate or in a bowl, garnished with extra chopped parsley if desired.

Notes

For extra creaminess, consider adding more heavy cream or cheese. You can adjust honey based on sweetness preference.

• Author: jessica-baker
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: High Protein

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 8g
• Sodium: 900mg
• Fat: 24g
• Saturated Fat: 12g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 52g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 35g
• Cholesterol: 90mg

Keywords: chicken, mac and cheese, high protein, comfort food, family recipe