Description
A creamy, cheesy bowl of macaroni and cheese enhanced with hot honey and crispy chicken for a delicious twist on comfort food.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
- 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 your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook until just al dente, about 7-8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Whisk in flour and cook for about 1 minute to create a roux.
- Gradually whisk in the milk until the mixture is smooth. Continue cooking until it thickens, stirring often.
- Stir in both cheddar and mozzarella cheeses until melted and combined. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
- Fold the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce, making sure each piece is well-coated.
- Season the chicken thighs with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Heat oil or butter in a skillet over medium-high heat and fry the chicken for 4-5 minutes per side until cooked through and golden brown.
- Brush or spoon hot honey over the cooked chicken while it’s still warm.
- Pour the mac and cheese into a baking dish. Place the glazed chicken thighs on top.
- Bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes until bubbling and lightly golden.
- Garnish with chopped parsley before serving. Enjoy your delicious creation!
Notes
Cook macaroni al dente to prevent it from becoming mushy. Adjust hot honey levels based on your spice preference.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 100mg