Honey Pepper Chicken Mac (Printable Version)

# What You'll Need:

→ Cheese Sauce

01 - 2 or 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
02 - 3/4 cup shredded colby jack
03 - 1 cup mozzarella, shredded (fresh if you’ve got it)
04 - Half cup parmesan, grated
05 - Half cup butter (one stick, unsalted)
06 - 2 cups heavy whipping cream

→ Honey Pepper Sauce

07 - 1/4 tsp ground cayenne
08 - 1 tsp fresh black pepper
09 - 1 tbsp vinegar
10 - Juice from one lemon
11 - 1/4 cup pineapple juice
12 - 3 tbsp soy sauce (use low sodium)
13 - 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
14 - 3/4 cup honey

→ Bacon and Garnishes

15 - Fresh basil, chopped, for tossing over the top
16 - Cracked black pepper as you like
17 - Salt, sprinkle to taste
18 - Five slices of bacon, cooked up and crumbled

→ Chicken

19 - Bag (25 oz) crispy chicken strips

→ Pasta

20 - Box (16 oz) spiral pasta noodles

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Bake or fry chicken strips per the package. Let ‘em cool after they’re good and crunchy.
02 - Boil salted water in a big pot, stir in spiral noodles, and cook till just right. Drain them and leave aside.
03 - Mix honey, brown sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice, lemon squeeze, vinegar, black pepper, and some cayenne in a little pot. Warm on medium till it bubbles, then simmer gentle for 15 minutes, stirring now and then. Take off heat and let it settle down.
04 - In a big pan, melt your butter on medium. Pour in heavy cream and stir to blend. Slowly add parmesan, then mozzarella, next colby jack—stir each time so everything melts down smooth. Toss in the garlic. Add some salt or pepper if you want.
05 - Dump the noodles into your cheese sauce, stir till every bit’s coated nice. Mix in half the bacon.
06 - Dip each chicken strip in honey pepper sauce so they're good and sticky. Let the extra sauce drip off.
07 - Sling cheesy noodles onto plates, top with glossy chicken, then add the last bacon and a shower of basil for taste and color.

# Additional Tips:

01 - Need it gluten-free? Grab gluten-free pasta noodles and chicken coated in almond flour or gluten-free breading.

Go Back