Ingredients:
For the Honey Pepper Chicken:
– 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– 1/2 cup honey
– 1/4 cup soy sauce
– 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
– 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
– 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
– 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
– 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
For the Creamy Macaroni Cheese:
– 8 ounces macaroni pasta
– 2 tablespoons butter
– 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
– 2 cups milk
– 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
– 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Chopped parsley for garnish
Directions:
1. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken until golden and fully cooked, about 6-7 minutes per side. Once done, remove from the skillet and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, mix together honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, ground black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and ground cayenne pepper. Let it simmer until it thickens a bit, stirring occasionally, for around 2-3 minutes.
4. Slice the cooked chicken into strips and return them to the skillet with the honey pepper sauce. Make sure the chicken gets coated evenly with the sauce, then set it aside while you prepare the macaroni cheese.
5. Cook the macaroni pasta according to the instructions on the package, then drain and set it aside.
6. In a separate pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for about a minute, stirring constantly. Gradually whisk in the milk until you have a smooth sauce. Keep stirring and cooking until the sauce thickens up, which should take around 2-3 minutes.
7. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese until they melt and blend smoothly. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to your liking.
8. Mix the cooked pasta with the cheese sauce until everything is well coated.
9. To serve, plate up the creamy macaroni cheese and top it with the honey pepper chicken. Sprinkle some chopped parsley on top for a bit of freshness.
10. Enjoy your delicious Sweet and Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken with Creamy Macaroni Cheese! Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 45 minutes | Total Time: 60 minutes | Calories: 780 kcal | Servings: 4 portions