Hot Honey Chicken Mac N Cheese Recipe
This Hot Honey Chicken Mac N Cheese is a delicious twist on classic comfort food, combining creamy mac and cheese with crispy pan-fried chicken thighs glazed in spicy, sweet hot honey. The dish is baked to bubbly perfection, making it a perfect hearty meal with a balance of savory, cheesy, and sweet heat flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Cheese Sauce
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (for roux)
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
Chicken
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 tablespoon oil or butter (for frying)
- 1/3 cup hot honey (or to taste)
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven temperature to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the finished dish.
- Cook the Macaroni: Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook until just al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Make the Roux: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Whisk in 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour and cook for about 1 minute until it forms a smooth paste, which will thicken the sauce.
- Add Milk and Thicken Sauce: Gradually whisk in 2 cups of whole milk to the roux, stirring constantly until the mixture is smooth and starts to thicken.
- Incorporate Cheese: Stir in 1 1/2 cups of sharp cheddar and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese until fully melted into the sauce. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Combine Macaroni and Cheese Sauce: Fold the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce, ensuring it is evenly coated.
- Season Chicken: Sprinkle 1 lb of boneless skinless chicken thighs with 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon paprika, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Fry Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of oil or butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the chicken thighs for 4–5 minutes on each side until they are cooked through and have a golden crust.
- Glaze Chicken with Hot Honey: While the chicken is still warm, brush or spoon 1/3 cup of hot honey over each piece for a spicy-sweet glaze.
- Assemble and Bake: Pour the mac and cheese into a baking dish and place the glazed chicken thighs on top. Bake in the preheated oven for 10–12 minutes until the mac and cheese is bubbling and lightly golden on top.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley if desired and serve immediately for a rich and flavorful meal.
Notes
- You can adjust the amount of hot honey according to your preferred spice level.
- For a crispier chicken skin, you can broil the chicken for 1-2 minutes after baking.
- Using whole milk adds creaminess; you can substitute with 2% milk, but the sauce may be less rich.
- Leftover mac and cheese can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Feel free to swap elbow macaroni for other short pasta shapes like shells or penne.
Keywords: Hot Honey Chicken, Mac and Cheese, Cheesy Chicken Bake, Comfort Food, Spicy Chicken, Baked Mac and Cheese
