Description
Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese Delight is a comforting and delicious dish combining crispy fried chicken chunks glazed with a sweet and spicy honey pepper sauce, served atop rich, cheesy cavatappi pasta. This recipe balances creamy textures with a crispy, flavorful crust and a hint of cracked black pepper, creating a perfect crowd-pleaser for dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs or regular breadcrumbs
- 1 ½ teaspoons cracked black pepper
- Salt to taste
- Oil for frying
Honey Pepper Glaze
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 ½ teaspoons cracked black pepper (use from breadcrumb mix)
Mac and Cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 12 ounces cavatappi pasta
- Salt to taste
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Marinate Chicken: Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized chunks and place them in a bowl with the buttermilk. Marinate for at least 30 minutes to tenderize and flavor the chicken.
- Prepare Breading: In a separate bowl, mix the panko or regular breadcrumbs with salt and 1 ½ teaspoons of cracked black pepper. Dredge each piece of marinated chicken thoroughly in the breadcrumb mixture and set aside.
- Fry Chicken: Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry the breaded chicken chunks until they are golden brown and crispy all over. Use a slotted spoon to remove the chicken and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the cavatappi pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make Cheese Sauce: In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour to create a roux and cook for about 1-2 minutes. Slowly add the heavy cream while continuously whisking. Allow the sauce to thicken, then stir in the shredded sharp cheddar and grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt to taste.
- Prepare Honey Pepper Glaze: In a small pan, combine the honey and cracked black pepper. Heat on low until the mixture is thin and pourable, stirring occasionally to combine flavors.
- Toss Pasta in Cheese Sauce: Add the cooked cavatappi pasta into the cheese sauce, mixing gently to coat all the pasta thoroughly with the creamy cheese mixture.
- Assemble the Dish: Serve the cheesy pasta in bowls topped with the crispy fried chicken pieces.
- Glaze and Garnish: Drizzle the warm honey pepper glaze over the fried chicken. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired for a fresh touch and color.
Notes
- For a healthier version, you can bake the breaded chicken chunks instead of frying them.
- Adjust the amount of cracked black pepper in the honey glaze to control heat level.
- Use sharp cheddar cheese for a more pronounced cheesy flavor.
- Ensure the roux cooks properly before adding cream to prevent lumps.
- This dish can be made ahead and reheated; add a splash of cream when reheating to maintain creaminess.
