Description
High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese is a deliciously balanced meal that combines tender chicken glazed in a sweet and savory honey garlic butter sauce with creamy, cheesy mac and cheese. This recipe offers a perfect harmony of flavors and textures, making it an ideal comfort food that’s also packed with muscle-building protein and simple, wholesome ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken and Sauce
- 2 large chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons honey
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional garnish)
For the Mac & Cheese
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons whole wheat flour
- 2 cups milk (whole or preferred milk)
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (freshly shredded recommended)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken for 5-6 minutes on each side until golden brown and fully cooked (internal temperature of 165°F). Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest.
- Make the Honey Garlic Butter Sauce: Reduce the skillet heat to low. Add the unsalted butter and let it melt. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant but not browned, about 1-2 minutes. Stir in the honey and cook for an additional 2 minutes to create a glossy sauce.
- Glaze the Chicken: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet. Spoon the honey garlic butter sauce over the chicken and let it simmer on low heat for 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Cook the Macaroni: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the Cheese Sauce: In a saucepan, melt unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in the whole wheat flour and cook for about a minute to form a roux. Gradually add milk while whisking continuously to avoid lumps. When the sauce thickens, remove from heat and stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine Pasta and Cheese Sauce: Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir gently to coat the pasta evenly with the creamy sauce.
- Plate and Serve: Place the glazed honey garlic butter chicken on a bed of creamy mac and cheese. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches 165°F for safe and juicy meat.
- Sauté garlic just until fragrant to avoid bitterness in the sauce.
- Use freshly shredded cheese instead of pre-shredded for smoother melting.
- Cook macaroni until just al dente to prevent mushiness when mixed with the sauce.
- Allow chicken to rest after cooking to retain juices and enhance tenderness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 650 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg