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
Scale
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
