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When you need something comforting but don’t wanna settle for boring, this honey-pepper chicken mac with melty cheese totally hits the spot. Twirly pasta snuggles in creamy sauce, crispy chicken gets drizzled with a sticky sweet-hot glaze, and smoky bacon crumbles give that little extra kick. Fresh basil wakes up the whole plate. Make a big batch after a long week or when you want everyone grinning at dinner.
I tossed this together one lazy Sunday when the whole crew was dragging. Everyone was shocked how good it turned out. Now it’s what I fix any time my gang wants a little extra comfort.
Irresistible Ingredients
- Breaded chicken strips: any crunchy, golden kind works Just make sure they get crispy in the oven
- Bacon: thicker pieces are crunchier and bring big smoky flavor
- Salt and Pepper: don’t leave these out Use freshly ground black pepper for a flavor boost
- Basil for garnish: add fresh chopped leaves right on top—huge flavor punch
- Honey: gives your glaze shine and sweet taste Clover or wild both work
- Light brown sugar: thickens up your glaze and brings that caramel note
- Soy sauce: grab the low-salt kind to keep it from being too salty
- Pineapple juice: use straight-up juice for a tangy lift From a can is just fine
- Lemon juice: squeeze in right at the end to wake everything up
- Vinegar: apple cider type pops in here, giving a little zing
- Black pepper and cayenne pepper: you want both—freshly cracked gives bigger flavor
- Butter: melt this first for your cheese sauce Use unsalted—control the saltiness
- Heavy cream: makes everything ridiculously rich and cheesy
- Parmesan cheese: adds bold flavor Fresh-grated works best
- Mozzarella and colby jack cheese: melts into that gooey, stretchy pull If you shred it yourself, even better
- Minced garlic: take a little time to chop fresh—it’s way better
- Chopped basil: mix this in and it brightens everything up
- Spiral noodles: sturdy curls or colorful shapes hold the sauce and sneak in extra veggies
Chill Steps To Make It
- Finish Up:
- Spoon mac and cheese in bowls, pile on chicken and drizzle that glaze, sprinkle bacon, toss over fresh basil, and dig in hot.
- Glaze the Chicken:
- Coat the crisp strips in your honey pepper glaze—use a brush, or just dunk 'em. Make sure each piece gets glossy.
- Mix Pasta Together:
- Dump noodles into the melty cheese mix, add bacon except for a little, and stir until everything’s good and coated.
- Make Cheese Sauce First:
- Kick things off by melting butter in a pan over medium. Pour in cream and whisk until steamy. Slowly stir in all the cheese and keep stirring until smooth. Add garlic, salt, pepper, and end with basil.
- Cook Honey Pepper Glaze:
- Heat honey, brown sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice, lemon, vinegar, pepper, and cayenne in a pot. Bring to a gentle bubble, then lower the heat. Let it get thick—about fifteen minutes. Cool it off a bit so it sticks to chicken.
- Boil Your Noodles:
- Boil up a big pot of salty water. Cook the spiral pasta around eight minutes until just tender, stirring so nothing sticks. Drain, but don’t rinse.
- Get Chicken Crispy:
- Pop chicken strips in the oven and follow package directions until they’re nice and crunchy. Let them rest on a rack so they stay crisp.
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The real game-changer? That sticky honey pepper sauce. Makes the chicken even tastier. My famously picky eater always cleans their plate. Gotta love the way everyone zones out and just eats for a minute—table gets super quiet.
Staying Fresh
Toss leftovers in an airtight box, stash in the fridge—good for three days. Sauce keeps the noodles creamy. To reheat, pour in a splash of milk or cream and microwave covered. Chicken loses crunch but is still delicious!
Switch Things Up
Swap in gluten-free pasta or chicken if you’re avoiding wheat. Use grilled chicken to skip the breading. For lighter bites, go with turkey bacon. Switch the cheese to sharp cheddar or Monterey Jack for another vibe—play around with it!
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Chill Ways To Serve
Hearty enough all by itself but extra nice next to crisp salad or quick veggies. Everybody grabs seconds at potlucks. And when it’s warm out, serve with a big glass of tea or lemonade.
Cool Origins
Crispy chicken with cheesy mac comes from classic comfort food kitchens in America. That sweet-peppery sauce? Inspired by the South—where sweet stuff and spicy kicks go together. Mac and cheese brings people together—no wonder everyone wants seconds of this.
Common Recipe Questions
- → Can I use a different kind of pasta?
Definitely! Mac doesn't have to mean spirals. You can go for shells, elbows, or even penne if you want a bit more chew. Just pick your favorite shape.
- → How do I make it gluten-free?
Super simple! Swap in gluten-free pasta and grab chicken that's coated with gluten-free crumbs. Almond meal works too. You'll get that same tasty crunch.
- → Any tricks for crispy chicken?
For the best crunch, fry or bake your breaded chicken strips before tossing them with that honey pepper sauce. This keeps 'em nice and crispy under all that cheese.
- → What kind of cheese should I blend in?
Mixing mozzarella, Colby Jack, and parmesan gives you deliciously melty cheese that really covers the pasta and dials up the flavor.
- → Will it be too spicy?
Not really spicy—just a nice gentle warmth from black pepper and just a bit of cayenne. If you want less or more heat, go ahead and change how much you add.
- → Can I warm up leftovers?
You bet! Heat them on the stove or microwave. If it gets too thick, stir in a splash of cream or milk to get things creamy again.