Name: Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 16 ounces spiral noodles.; 25 ounces breaded chicken strips.; 5 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled.; 3/4 cup honey.; 1/4 cup brown sugar.; 3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce.; 1/4 cup pineapple juice.; 1 lemon, juiced.; 1 tablespoon vinegar.; 1 teaspoon black pepper.; 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper.; 1 stick butter.; 2 cups heavy cream.; 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded.; 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded.; 3/4 cup colby jack cheese, shredded.; 2-3 cloves garlic, minced.; Fresh basil.

A bowl of creamy macaroni and cheese topped with grilled chicken strips drizzled in a glossy sauce and garnished with fresh herbs. | recipesbyclare.com

My copycat honey pepper chicken mac brings restaurant magic home. Crispy chicken creamy cheese crispy bacon sweet spicy glaze makes pure comfort. Save money still get all that amazing flavor right kitchen.

Pure Comfort

This recipe gives everything good one dish. Rich mac cheese crispy chicken sweet spicy sauce. Costs way less than eating out tastes just good maybe better.

What You Need

Chicken: Crispy strips any kind work.
Pasta: Pound short shapes catch sauce.
Sweet Sauce: Honey pepper makes magic.
Cheese Mix: Butter cream three cheese good.
Bacon: Six slices crispy crumbled nice.
Herbs: Fresh basil makes pretty good.

Let's Cook

Start Chicken: Cook strips crispy set aside warm.
Boil Pasta: Cook till perfect drain ready wait.
Make Sauce: Honey pepper spice simmer thick.
Cheese Time: Melt butter cream cheese smooth nice.
All Together: Mix pasta cheese bacon chicken top.

Cheese Tips

Skip flour makes sauce extra creamy good. Add cheese slow keeps everything smooth nice. Season taste makes perfect flavor right.

A bowl of creamy macaroni and cheese topped with grilled chicken and barbecue sauce, garnished with fresh herbs. | recipesbyclare.com

Sweet Heat Tips

Let sauce cool gets thick naturally nice. Keep stirring makes flavors blend good. Low heat works magic every time.

Perfect Pasta

Short pasta holds sauce catches cheese best. Cook just right keeps texture perfect good.

Switch It Up

Try grilled chicken makes lighter meal nice. Different bacon cheese brings new taste good.

Save Some

Keeps three days fridge covered tight good. Warm slow splash milk makes creamy again.

Make It Yours

Add mushrooms spinach peppers make your way. Spicy honey brings extra kick nice.

A bowl of macaroni and cheese topped with crispy chicken strips drizzled in a rich sauce and garnished with parsley. | recipesbyclare.com

Save Money

Make home costs way less tastes just right. Feeds whole family one restaurant price good.

Feed Crowd

Makes plenty everyone gets full happy. Perfect game night family dinner both good.

Everyone Eats

Different pasta sauce makes gluten free nice. Everyone gets enjoy comfort food good.

Perfect Balance

Sweet honey savory bacon cheese all work. Spice level makes just how you like good.

More Protein

Add shrimp sausage makes extra special nice. Goes perfect honey pepper cheese so good.

A bowl of creamy macaroni and cheese topped with crispy, golden fried chicken pieces drizzled with a sweet sauce and garnished with fresh basil. | recipesbyclare.com

Kids Love It

Crispy sweet cheesy makes kids happy smile. Great way try new flavors makes fun good.

Fresh Touch

Green herbs top makes looking special nice. Brings bright flavor makes everything good.

Easy Clean

Cook everything same time saves dishes work. Simple steps makes cleanup quick nice.

Perfect Partners

Fresh salad bread makes meal complete good. Glass wine makes dinner extra special nice.

Pure Joy

This recipe brings restaurant flavor home good. Sweet savory creamy makes everyone happy.

A bowl of creamy macaroni and cheese topped with crispy fried chicken drizzled in sauce and garnished with chopped parsley. | recipesbyclare.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use homemade chicken strips?: Yes, you can bread and fry your own chicken strips instead of using frozen. Just ensure they're cooked through before glazing.
→ Why use freshly shredded cheese?: Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can make the sauce grainy. Fresh-shredded melts smoother.
→ Can I make the sauce ahead?: The honey pepper sauce can be made up to 3 days ahead and stored in the fridge. Reheat gently before using.
→ How do I prevent lumpy cheese sauce?: Add cheese gradually while stirring constantly over low heat. Make sure cream mixture isn't too hot when adding cheese.
→ What can I substitute for pineapple juice?: Apple juice or orange juice can work as substitutes, though they'll change the flavor slightly.

Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese