What You’ll Need: Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Mac Ingredients
Okay, my friend, let’s gather our ingredients! Don’t worry; most of these are pantry staples. I’ve broken it down to make it super easy for you.For the Honey Garlic Butter Chicken:
- Chicken: 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- Butter: 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- Garlic: 6 cloves garlic, minced (go big or go home!)
- Honey: 1/4 cup honey (adds the perfect sweetness)
- Soy Sauce: 2 tablespoons soy sauce (for that umami depth)
- Apple Cider Vinegar: 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (balances the sweetness)
- Red Pepper Flakes: 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little kick)
- Salt and Pepper: To taste
- Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon
For the Mac and Cheese:
- Macaroni: 1 pound elbow macaroni
- Butter: 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Flour: 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- Milk: 3 cups whole milk
- Heavy Cream: 1/2 cup heavy cream (for extra richness!)
- Cheddar Cheese: 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese (sharp cheddar is my fave!)
- Parmesan Cheese: 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (adds a nutty flavor)
- Salt and Pepper: To taste
- Optional Toppings: Chopped green onions, parsley, or a sprinkle of extra red pepper flakes
Let’s Talk Chicken: Prepping for Success
Before we dive into the step-by-step instructions, let’s talk about the chicken. I like to cut my chicken into uniform, 1-inch cubes. This helps them cook evenly and quickly. Nobody wants dry chicken, right? Patting the chicken dry with paper towels before searing is also key. This helps it get a nice, golden-brown crust. And speaking of searing, don’t overcrowd the pan! Cook the chicken in batches to ensure each piece gets that delicious sear. This is a vital step in many healthy protein chicken recipes. This is also one of the reasons why this is one of my favorite easy meals to make for work – the chicken is so simple to prepare ahead of time.
Step-by-Step Instructions: Making Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Mac Magic Happen
Alright, friend, let’s get cooking! I’ll walk you through each step. Trust me, it’s easier than it looks.Step 1: Cook the Macaroni
- Cook the macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Make sure not to overcook it – slightly firm is what we’re going for! Drain well and set aside.
Step 2: Make the Honey Garlic Butter Chicken
- In a large skillet or wok, heat 2 tablespoons of butter and the olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Add the chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned on all sides and cooked through (about 5-7 minutes). Remember to cook in batches if necessary. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, or until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic!
- Pour in the honey, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar. Add the red pepper flakes (if using). Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 1-2 minutes, or until slightly thickened.
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss to coat with the honey garlic butter sauce.
Step 3: Create the Creamy Mac and Cheese
- In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to create a roux. This is the base of our creamy sauce!
- Gradually whisk in the milk, making sure to smooth out any lumps.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring constantly, until it thickens slightly (about 3-5 minutes).
- Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the cheddar cheese and Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 4: Combine and Serve
- Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir to coat evenly.
- Gently fold in the honey garlic butter chicken.
- Serve immediately, garnished with your favorite toppings like chopped green onions or parsley. Enjoy!
Troubleshooting Tips: Because Things Happen in the Kitchen
Let’s be real – sometimes things don’t go exactly as planned. Here are a few common issues and how to fix them:- Cheese sauce is too thick: Add a splash of milk or cream to thin it out.
- Cheese sauce is too thin: Simmer it for a few more minutes to allow it to thicken. You can also mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with a tablespoon of cold water and whisk it into the sauce.
- Chicken is dry: Make sure you’re not overcooking it. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Adding a little extra butter to the sauce can also help.
- Garlic burned: Start over! Burned garlic is bitter and will ruin the flavor of your dish. Trust me; it’s worth the extra effort.
Making it Your Own: Variations and Adaptations
The beauty of cooking is that you can always tweak a recipe to suit your taste. Here are some ideas for variations on this Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Mac:- Spice it up: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the honey garlic butter sauce.
- Add veggies: Sauté some broccoli florets, bell peppers, or mushrooms and add them to the mac and cheese.
- Use different cheeses: Try using Gruyere, Fontina, or Monterey Jack cheese in the mac and cheese.
- Make it gluten-free: Use gluten-free macaroni and a gluten-free flour blend for the roux.
- Add bacon: Everything’s better with bacon! Crispy bacon bits make a fantastic topping.
Serving Suggestions: Complete the Meal
While this Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Mac is a complete meal on its own, here are a few ideas for side dishes that would pair well with it:- Green salad: A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette will add some freshness to the meal.
- Steamed vegetables: Broccoli, asparagus, or green beans are all great choices.
- Garlic bread: Because why not?
- Coleslaw: The creamy coleslaw adds a refreshing contrast to the rich mac and cheese.
Why This Recipe Works: Dinner Ideas Kids Love
This recipe is a winner for so many reasons. It’s quick, easy, and packed with flavor. It’s also a great way to get your kids to eat their protein (the chicken) and their carbs (the mac and cheese) all in one delicious dish. Plus, it’s super customizable, so you can easily adjust it to suit your family’s tastes. Dinner ideas kids love are often hard to find, but I’ve found this is a hit every time.Final Thoughts: You Got This!
Making Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Mac might seem a little intimidating at first, but I promise you, it’s totally doable. Just follow the steps, don’t be afraid to experiment, and most importantly, have fun! You’ll have a delicious, comforting meal on the table in no time. So, go ahead, give it a try, and let me know how it turns out!What are some tips for preventing the chicken from drying out while cooking?
Cut the chicken into uniform, 1-inch cubes for even cooking. Pat the chicken dry before searing to help it brown nicely. Don’t overcrowd the pan; cook in batches. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). You can also add a little extra butter to the sauce.
My cheese sauce is too thick. How can I thin it out?
Add a splash of milk or cream to thin out the cheese sauce.
Are there any variations I can make to the Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Mac recipe?
Yes, you can spice it up with cayenne pepper or hot sauce, add vegetables like broccoli or bell peppers, use different cheeses like Gruyere or Fontina, make it gluten-free with gluten-free macaroni and flour, or add crispy bacon bits.
How long can I store leftovers of Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Mac?
You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Irresistible Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Mac
This Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Mac is a comforting and flavorful combination of creamy mac and cheese with tender, honey garlic glazed chicken. It’s a quick and easy meal that’s perfect for weeknights and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. This recipe is a delightful twist on classic comfort food.
Equipment
- Large Skillet or Wok
- Large saucepan
- Cooking pot
- Colander
- Whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Mixing Bowls
- Paper towels
- Meat thermometer (optional)
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Chopped green onions optional topping
- Extra red pepper flakes optional topping
Instructions
- Cook the macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
- In a large skillet or wok, heat 2 tablespoons of butter and the olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Add the chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned on all sides and cooked through (about 5-7 minutes). Cook in batches if necessary. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, or until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic!
- Pour in the honey, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar. Add the red pepper flakes (if using).
- Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 1-2 minutes, or until slightly thickened.
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss to coat with the honey garlic butter sauce.
- In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to create a roux.
- Gradually whisk in the milk, making sure to smooth out any lumps.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring constantly, until it thickens slightly (about 3-5 minutes).
- Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the cheddar cheese and Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir to coat evenly.
- Gently fold in the honey garlic butter chicken.
- Serve immediately, garnished with your favorite toppings like chopped green onions or parsley. Enjoy!
Notes
For a spicier dish, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the honey garlic butter sauce. You can also add sautéed broccoli florets, bell peppers, or mushrooms to the mac and cheese for added vegetables. Try using different cheeses like Gruyere, Fontina, or Monterey Jack in the mac and cheese. To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free macaroni and a gluten-free flour blend for the roux. Crispy bacon bits make a fantastic topping. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If the cheese sauce is too thick, add a splash of milk or cream. If it’s too thin, simmer for a few more minutes or whisk in a tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with a tablespoon of cold water. Make sure to not overcook the chicken.
