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why make this recipe
High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken & Mac & Cheese Delight is not just tasty; it’s also a fantastic way to enjoy a filling meal packed with protein. The chicken is juicy and flavorful, blended with the sweetness of honey and richness of garlic butter, making it a perfect match for creamy mac and cheese. This dish brings comfort food to the next level while keeping it nutritious.
how to make High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken & Mac & Cheese Delight
Ingredients :
- 1 lb Chicken Breasts (or chicken thighs for extra juiciness)
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil (or avocado oil)
- 4 cloves Garlic (minced)
- 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tbsp Dried Parsley
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
- 2 tbsp Avocado Oil/Butter (for cooking the chicken)
- 1/4 cup Honey
- 2 tbsp Freshly Chopped Parsley (for garnish)
- 2 tbsp Butter
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
- 1 cup Freshly Grated Mozzarella Cheese
- 1 cup Freshly Grated Cheddar Cheese
- 2 cups Elbow Macaroni
Directions :
- Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a large bowl, mix the chicken breasts or thighs with olive oil, minced garlic, smoked paprika, garlic powder, dried parsley, salt, and black pepper. Let it marinate for about 15 minutes.
- In a skillet, heat avocado oil or butter over medium heat. Add the marinated chicken and cook until browned on both sides, about 5 minutes per side.
- Drizzle honey over the chicken and very gently toss to coat. Transfer to the oven and bake for another 10-15 minutes until cooked through.
- While the chicken cooks, bring a pot of salted water to boil. Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In the same pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add heavy cream and bring to a simmer.
- Stir in the mozzarella and cheddar cheese until melted. Mix in cooked macaroni and combine well.
- Serve the macaroni cheese alongside the honey garlic chicken, garnished with freshly chopped parsley.
how to serve High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken & Mac & Cheese Delight
Plate the dish with the honey garlic chicken on one side and a generous helping of mac and cheese on the other. You can drizzle a little extra honey over the chicken for added sweetness. A side of steamed vegetables or a fresh salad can add color and nutrition.
how to store High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken & Mac & Cheese Delight
To store leftovers, let the chicken and mac and cheese cool completely. Place them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop, adding a little milk to the mac and cheese if it seems dry.
tips to make High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken & Mac & Cheese Delight
- For even juicier chicken, consider using chicken thighs instead of breasts.
- Add vegetables like broccoli or spinach to the mac and cheese for added nutrition.
- Substitute honey with maple syrup for a different flavor twist.
variation
You can easily turn this dish into a spicy delight by adding some red pepper flakes or hot sauce to the marinade for the chicken. For a lighter version, swap the macaroni with zucchini noodles for a low-carb option.
FAQs
1. Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken. Just ensure it is completely thawed before marinating and cooking.
2. Can I make the mac and cheese ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the mac and cheese, cool it, and store it in the fridge. Reheat it with a little extra cream or milk to keep it creamy.
3. What if I don’t have smoked paprika?
If you don’t have smoked paprika, regular paprika works well too, but it will lack that smoky flavor. You might also add a sprinkle of liquid smoke for a similar effect.
High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken & Mac & Cheese Delight
A filling meal packed with protein featuring juicy chicken, sweet honey, and rich garlic butter served alongside creamy mac and cheese.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: High Protein
Ingredients
- 1 lb Chicken Breasts (or chicken thighs for extra juiciness)
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil (or avocado oil)
- 4 cloves Garlic (minced)
- 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tbsp Dried Parsley
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
- 2 tbsp Avocado Oil/Butter (for cooking the chicken)
- 1/4 cup Honey
- 2 tbsp Freshly Chopped Parsley (for garnish)
- 2 tbsp Butter
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
- 1 cup Freshly Grated Mozzarella Cheese
- 1 cup Freshly Grated Cheddar Cheese
- 2 cups Elbow Macaroni
Instructions
- Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a large bowl, mix the chicken breasts or thighs with olive oil, minced garlic, smoked paprika, garlic powder, dried parsley, salt, and black pepper. Let it marinate for about 15 minutes.
- Heat avocado oil or butter over medium heat in a skillet. Add the marinated chicken and cook until browned on both sides, about 5 minutes per side.
- Drizzle honey over the chicken and very gently toss to coat. Transfer to the oven and bake for another 10-15 minutes until cooked through.
- While the chicken cooks, bring a pot of salted water to boil. Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In the same pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add heavy cream and bring to a simmer.
- Stir in the mozzarella and cheddar cheese until melted. Mix in cooked macaroni and combine well.
- Serve the macaroni cheese alongside the honey garlic chicken, garnished with freshly chopped parsley.
Notes
For even juicier chicken, consider using chicken thighs. Add vegetables like broccoli or spinach to the mac and cheese for added nutrition. Substitute honey with maple syrup for a different flavor twist.