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If you are craving a dish that wraps you in warmth, full of irresistible flavors and creamy goodness, then you are in for a treat with this Honey Garlic Chicken Mac and Cheese: A Comfort Food Recipe. It combines the nostalgic richness of classic mac and cheese with tender chicken glazed in a luscious honey garlic sauce, creating the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and cheesy goodness to satisfy all your comfort food desires. This dish is ideal for cozy family dinners or for impressing friends with a familiar yet elevated twist on two all-time favorites.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Honey Garlic Chicken Mac and Cheese: A Comfort Food Recipe lies in its simple, yet essential ingredients. Each one plays a crucial role in building the creamy, cheesy base or the sweet-savory chicken topping that makes this dish come alive.
- Elbow macaroni: The classic pasta shape that holds sauce beautifully and provides the perfect texture.
- Butter: The base for the roux which adds richness and smoothness to the cheese sauce.
- All-purpose flour: Thickens the sauce helping it cling beautifully to the pasta.
- Milk: The creamy element that forms the heart of the cheese sauce.
- Salt: Enhances every other flavor in the recipe.
- Black pepper: Adds a gentle warmth and contrast to the sweetness.
- Nutmeg: A subtle spice that brightens and deepens cheesy dishes.
- Cheddar cheese: Sharp and flavorful, it’s the backbone of the cheese sauce.
- Monterey Jack cheese: Melts smoothly, providing creamy silkiness.
- Parmesan cheese: Adds a nutty, salty punch that rounds out the cheese blend.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Tender protein that soaks up the delicious honey garlic glaze.
- Honey: Sweetens the sauce naturally, balancing savory and tangy notes.
- Soy sauce: Boosts umami and adds depth to the honey garlic glaze.
- Rice vinegar: Adds a touch of acidity that brightens the sauce.
- Garlic cloves: Fresh and minced for that unmistakable aromatic punch.
- Cornstarch: Helps thicken the chicken sauce for a luscious coating.
- Water: Used to make the cornstarch slurry for thickening.
- Vegetable oil: For cooking the chicken to a perfect golden brown.
- Green onions (optional): Adds a fresh, vibrant garnish to finish the dish.
How to Make Honey Garlic Chicken Mac and Cheese: A Comfort Food Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the pasta
Start by cooking your elbow macaroni in salted boiling water until just al dente. This ensures the pasta will hold its shape and texture perfectly even after baking. Drain it well and set it aside while you move on to the decadent cheese sauce.
Step 2: Make the cheese sauce
Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat, then whisk in the flour to create a roux. This is the secret to a silky smooth sauce, free of lumps. Slowly add milk while whisking constantly to avoid clumps and bring it to a gentle simmer. Once thickened, remove the pan from heat and stir in salt, pepper, nutmeg, and your trio of cheeses until everything melts into a gorgeously creamy sauce. This cheese sauce forms the heart of your mac and cheese.
Step 3: Combine pasta and cheese sauce
Gently fold the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce, making sure every piece is luxuriously coated. This step ensures every bite bursts with cheesy goodness when combined later with the honey garlic chicken.
Step 4: Prepare the honey garlic chicken
Whisk together honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and minced garlic to craft the signature glaze. Heat vegetable oil in a skillet and cook the chicken cubes until golden and cooked through—around 6 to 8 minutes—then pour the honey garlic mixture over the chicken. Let it cook for a few minutes to marry the flavors beautifully. Stir in a cornstarch slurry toward the end to thicken the sauce to the perfect consistency so it clings to each piece of chicken gloriously.
Step 5: Assemble and bake
Spread the mac and cheese evenly in a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, then lavishly top with the honey garlic chicken and all that glorious sauce. Bake at 350°F for 20 to 25 minutes until the top is bubbling and golden brown, signaling that comforting flavors have melded into a dream-like masterpiece. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving to set and to maximize deliciousness.
How to Serve Honey Garlic Chicken Mac and Cheese: A Comfort Food Recipe
Garnishes
Brighten this rich dish with a sprinkle of freshly chopped green onions for a pop of color and a subtle oniony bite that complements the sweet and savory components perfectly. You can also add a pinch of smoked paprika or fresh cracked black pepper on top to make every forkful even more inviting.
Side Dishes
Since this dish is so hearty and flavorful, pairing it with something light and fresh works wonders. A crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette cuts through the richness, while roasted vegetables like asparagus or Brussels sprouts add earthiness and texture contrast. For a heartier meal, simple garlic bread or warm dinner rolls soak up every last drop of sauce splendidly.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to impress guests or just switch up presentation, try serving this Honey Garlic Chicken Mac and Cheese: A Comfort Food Recipe in individual ramekins topped with a crunchy breadcrumb crust for added texture. Alternatively, use colorful bowls and garnish artistically with fresh herbs to turn this classic comfort food into a restaurant-worthy dish that invites smiles all around the table.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
This dish stores beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to enjoy leftovers, the flavors only deepen. Just be sure to stir gently after reheating to maintain that creamy consistency and prevent any separation in the cheese sauce.
Freezing
Honey Garlic Chicken Mac and Cheese: A Comfort Food Recipe also freezes well. Portion it out into freezer-safe containers before baking or freeze the fully cooked casserole. It will keep for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for best results.
Reheating
To reheat, warm portions gently in the microwave or oven at 350°F until heated through and bubbly. Adding a splash of milk or cream can help restore that freshly baked creaminess, while topping with a little extra shredded cheese during reheating brings back that melty-cheese appeal.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Absolutely! While elbow macaroni is classic for mac and cheese, you can swap in shells, penne, or cavatappi. Just make sure to adjust cooking times so your pasta is al dente and perfect for baking.
Is there a way to make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend for the roux, and use gluten-free pasta. Ensure your soy sauce is gluten-free too, or use tamari to keep all the flavors intact.
Can I use pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken?
Definitely. You can save time by shredding pre-cooked chicken and tossing it in the honey garlic sauce on the stove before layering it atop the mac and cheese. Just adjust cooking times so the chicken heats through without drying out.
How spicy is this dish?
This Honey Garlic Chicken Mac and Cheese: A Comfort Food Recipe leans toward sweet and savory rather than spicy. However, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes or drizzle some hot sauce to introduce a gentle heat if you like things a little spicy.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
While the chicken is a star component, you can make it vegetarian by substituting with roasted vegetables like mushrooms or cauliflower tossed in the honey garlic sauce. The cheese sauce base remains the same, delivering comforting richness without the meat.
Final Thoughts
If there is one dish to warm your soul and put a smile on your face, it has got to be this Honey Garlic Chicken Mac and Cheese: A Comfort Food Recipe. It’s one of those heartening meals that brings everyone to the table, begging for seconds and unforgettable memories. So roll up your sleeves and treat yourself to this delicious, cheesy, sweet-savory hug in a bowl. You won’t regret it!
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Honey Garlic Chicken Mac and Cheese: A Comfort Food Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Description
This Honey Garlic Chicken Mac and Cheese combines creamy, cheesy macaroni with tender, flavorful chicken simmered in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce. Baked until bubbly and golden, this comforting dish is perfect for family dinners or special occasions, serving up rich flavors and satisfying textures in every bite.
Ingredients
Mac and Cheese
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Honey Garlic Chicken
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Garnish
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the assembled dish later.
- Cook Macaroni: Boil the elbow macaroni following package instructions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
- Make Roux: In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Whisk in flour until the mixture is smooth and forms a roux, which will thicken the cheese sauce.
- Add Milk: Gradually whisk in milk, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat and let it simmer gently for 5-7 minutes until thickened.
- Incorporate Seasonings and Cheese: Remove sauce from heat and stir in salt, black pepper, nutmeg, cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Parmesan cheese until fully melted and smooth.
- Combine Macaroni and Cheese Sauce: Gently fold the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce, ensuring each piece is coated.
- Prepare Honey Garlic Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and minced garlic for the flavorful chicken glaze.
- Make Cornstarch Slurry: In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch and water until smooth to be used to thicken the sauce later.
- Cook Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add cubed chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, approximately 6-8 minutes.
- Add Honey Garlic Sauce: Pour the honey garlic mixture over the cooked chicken and cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Thicken Sauce: Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook for an additional minute until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken well.
- Assemble Dish: Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it evenly.
- Top with Chicken: Evenly distribute the honey garlic chicken over the macaroni and cheese layer.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and golden brown on top.
- Rest: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes to set before serving.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle with chopped green onions, if desired, for a fresh garnish before serving.
Notes
- Use freshly shredded cheese rather than pre-shredded for smoother melting.
- Ensure the chicken pieces are evenly sized for uniform cooking.
- For a spicier kick, add red pepper flakes to the honey garlic sauce.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
- To make this dish gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
