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There’s something magical about the combination of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors that can elevate a simple dish to extraordinary heights. Today, I’m excited to share with you a recipe that perfectly balances these elements:

Sweet and Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken paired with Creamy Macaroni Cheese. This dish is not only a feast for the taste buds but also a comforting meal that will have your family and friends coming back for seconds.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Sweet and Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken:

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper

For the Creamy Macaroni Cheese:

8 ounces macaroni pasta
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Chopped parsley for garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the Chicken:
Begin by seasoning the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken until golden brown and cooked through, approximately 6-7 minutes per side. Once done, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
Create the Honey Pepper Sauce:
In the same skillet, combine honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, ground black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and ground cayenne pepper. Allow this mixture to simmer until slightly thickened, stirring occasionally, for about 2-3 minutes.
Combine Chicken with Sauce:
Slice the cooked chicken into strips and return them to the skillet with the honey pepper sauce. Coat the chicken evenly with the sauce and set it aside while you prepare the macaroni cheese.
Cook the Macaroni:
Cook the macaroni pasta according to package instructions. Once cooked, drain and set it aside.
Prepare the Cheese Sauce:
In a separate pot, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually whisk in the milk until smooth. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens, approximately 2-3 minutes.
Add Cheese:
Remove the pot from heat and stir in the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese until melted and smooth. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
Combine Pasta and Sauce:
Combine the cooked pasta with the cheese sauce until well coated.
Serve and Enjoy:
To serve, plate the creamy macaroni cheese and top it with the honey pepper chicken. Garnish with chopped parsley for a pop of freshness.

Why You’ll Love This Dish

This Sweet and Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken with Creamy Macaroni Cheese is an absolute crowd-pleaser. The chicken is succulent and flavorful, with a perfect balance of sweetness from honey and a kick of spice from cayenne pepper. Paired with the creamy, cheesy goodness of macaroni cheese, this dish is a match made in culinary heaven.

Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner or hosting friends for a casual get-together, this dish is sure to impress. It’s comfort food at its finest—rich in flavor, satisfying, and incredibly delicious.

Final Thoughts

As you savor each bite of this delightful meal, you’ll appreciate how simple ingredients can come together to create something truly special. So why not give this recipe a try? Your taste buds will thank you!

Happy cooking!

Sweet and Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken

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Author: Noura
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

A delicious combo of sweet and spicy glazed chicken paired with rich and creamy macaroni cheese. Perfect for a satisfying and flavorful meal!

Instructions

Start by seasoning the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook the chicken until golden and cooked through, approximately 6–7 minutes per side.
Once done, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
In the same skillet, combine honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, ground black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and ground cayenne pepper. Allow the mixture to simmer until slightly thickened, stirring occasionally, for about 2–3 minutes.
Slice the cooked chicken into strips and return them to the skillet with the honey pepper sauce.
Coat the chicken evenly with the sauce and set it aside while you prepare the macaroni cheese.
Cook the macaroni pasta according to the package instructions, then drain and set it aside.
In a separate pot, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually whisk in the milk until smooth. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens, approximately 2–3 minutes.
Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese until melted and smooth. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
Combine the cooked pasta with the cheese sauce until well coated.

To serve, plate the creamy macaroni cheese and top it with the honey pepper chicken. Garnish with chopped parsley for a pop of freshness.

Notes

You can adjust the level of heat by reducing or increasing the cayenne pepper. For added texture, try broiling the chicken with sauce for a minute or two before serving.