Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ Pasta
01 -
1 box (16 ounces) spiral pasta
→ Chicken
02 -
1 bag (25 ounces) breaded chicken strips
→ Bacon and Garnishes
03 -
5 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
04 -
Salt, to taste
05 -
Black pepper, to taste
06 -
Fresh basil, chopped, for garnish
→ Honey Pepper Sauce
07 -
3/4 cup honey
08 -
1/4 cup light brown sugar
09 -
3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
10 -
1/4 cup pineapple juice
11 -
Juice of 1 lemon
12 -
1 tablespoon vinegar
13 -
1 teaspoon black pepper
14 -
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
→ Cheese Sauce
15 -
1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter
16 -
2 cups heavy cream
17 -
1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
18 -
1 cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
19 -
3/4 cup freshly shredded colby jack cheese
20 -
2–3 cloves garlic, minced
# Instructions:
01 -
Cook the breaded chicken strips according to the package directions, either by baking or frying. Set aside once golden and crisp.
02 -
Boil the spiral pasta in a large pot of salted water until al dente. Drain thoroughly and reserve.
03 -
In a saucepan, combine honey, light brown sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice, lemon juice, vinegar, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, then reduce to a simmer. Cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens slightly. Remove from heat and allow to cool briefly.
04 -
Melt butter in a large pan over medium heat. Pour in heavy cream and whisk until combined. Gradually add parmesan, mozzarella, and colby jack cheeses, stirring after each addition until the sauce is smooth and cohesive. Stir in minced garlic, season with salt and black pepper to taste.
05 -
Add the drained pasta to the cheese sauce and mix well. Fold in half of the crumbled bacon for added savoriness.
06 -
Dip each cooked chicken strip into the honey pepper sauce, ensuring a thorough coating. Let any excess sauce drip off.
07 -
Plate the creamy pasta, newly sauced chicken strips, and sprinkle the remaining bacon. Finish with a generous amount of chopped fresh basil for bright herbal notes.
# Notes:
01 -
For a gluten-free adaptation, substitute traditional pasta with gluten-free pasta and use breaded chicken strips made with gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond flour.