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Sweet and Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken Easy Family Dinner Recipe

Sweet and Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken with Creamy Mac and Cheese

Sweet and Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken with Creamy Mac and Cheese is a restaurant-style comfort meal that balances the perfect mix of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors. Juicy chicken glazed in a sticky honey pepper sauce pairs beautifully with rich, velvety mac and cheese for the ultimate family dinner or special treat.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Comfort Food, Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Southern-Inspired
Calories: 750
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 tablespoon Olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon Ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
  • 0.5 teaspoon Garlic powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon Onion powder
  • 0.25 teaspoon Cayenne pepper
  • 0.5 teaspoon Salt
  • 0.5 cup Honey
  • 0.25 cup Apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons Soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons Butter
  • 2 cups Elbow macaroni
  • 4 cups Whole milk
  • 2 cups Shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup Shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 0.5 teaspoon Ground mustard
  • 0.5 teaspoon Garlic powder (for cheese sauce)
  • 1 tablespoon All-purpose flour
  • 0.5 teaspoon Salt (for cheese sauce)
  • 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper (for cheese sauce)

Method
 

  1. Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  2. Step 2: Season both sides of the chicken breasts with black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, and salt. Sear for 6–7 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
  3. Step 3: In the same skillet, add honey, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, and Dijon mustard. Stir to combine, scraping up any browned bits.
  4. Step 4: Simmer the sauce for about 5 minutes until slightly thickened. Return chicken to skillet and coat with the glaze. Simmer for another 5 minutes, flipping occasionally to caramelize the glaze.
  5. Step 5: Meanwhile, cook the elbow macaroni in salted boiling water for 7–8 minutes, until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  6. Step 6: In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1–2 minutes to form a roux.
  7. Step 7: Gradually add milk while whisking to prevent lumps. Cook until thickened, about 4–5 minutes.
  8. Step 8: Stir in cheddar and mozzarella cheeses until smooth and melted. Add ground mustard, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
  9. Step 9: Fold the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce, coating evenly.
  10. Step 10: Serve the honey pepper chicken alongside a generous portion of creamy mac and cheese. Spoon extra glaze over the chicken for maximum flavor.

Notes

For extra spice, add a dash more cayenne or drizzle with hot honey. You can also substitute smoked gouda or pepper jack cheese in the mac for a flavor twist.