Description
This comforting dinner features juicy honey garlic butter chicken paired with creamy mac and cheese, creating a satisfying meal without the hassle of lengthy preparation.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 4 pieces Chicken breasts or boneless thighs (Chicken thighs are juicier and harder to mess up.)
- 2 tablespoons Butter (For rich sauce and flavor.)
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced (Fresh minced is best, but jar garlic works.)
- 1/4 cup Honey (The sweet part of the sauce.)
- 1/4 cup Soy sauce (Adds salt and depth.)
- 1 tablespoon Apple cider vinegar or lemon juice (Adds a little tang to balance the honey.)
- 1/2 teaspoon Black pepper (Do not skip it.)
For the Mac and Cheese
- 8 ounces Macaroni (Use protein pasta if available.)
- 1 cup Milk (Higher protein milk is a bonus.)
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt or cottage cheese (This is the high protein trick for the sauce.)
- 1 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded (Sharp cheddar makes it taste like real mac and cheese.)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard or paprika (Optional for extra flavor.)
Instructions
Preparation
- Boil the protein pasta or regular macaroni until just tender. Drain and set aside. Save a splash of pasta water if you want to loosen the cheese sauce later.
- Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and cook until golden on both sides and cooked through. Remove to a plate.
Cooking
- In the same skillet, add a touch more butter if the pan looks dry. Add garlic and stir for about 30 seconds so it gets fragrant. Add honey, soy sauce, and a small splash of vinegar or lemon juice. Let it bubble for a minute or two until it looks glossy. Add chicken back in and coat it in the sauce.
- In the pasta pot, lower the heat. Add milk and warm it gently. Stir in Greek yogurt or blended cottage cheese, then add cheddar a handful at a time. Stir until creamy. Add the cooked pasta and mix well. If it gets too thick, add a splash of milk or pasta water.
Serving
- Plate the mac and cheese, top with sticky chicken, and spoon extra sauce over everything.
Notes
This recipe is flexible; you can substitute chicken thighs for breasts, or use olive oil instead of butter for a lighter option. For gluten-free, use tamari and gluten-free pasta.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: dinner, Main Course
- Cuisine: American, Comfort Food