Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese

Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese

4 servings
Fan of your favorite restaurant recipes but want to make them at home? This Copycat Applebee's Honey Pepper Mac and Cheese is the perfect copycat recipe. Filled with mac and cheese, chicken and bacon it is completely addicting!

Ingredients

  • spiral noodles
    1 box
  • bag breaded chicken strips
    1 oz
  • bacon

    cooked and crumbled

    5 slice
  • Salt and Pepper
  • Basil
  • honey
    ¾ c
  • light brown sugar
    ¼ c
  • soy sauce

    low sodium

    3 tbsp
  • pineapple juice
    ¼ c
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • vinegar
    1 tbsp
  • black pepper
    1 tsp
  • cayenne pepper
    ¼ tsp
  • butter
    1 stick
  • heavy cream
    2 c
  • parmesan cheese
    ½ c
  • mozzarella cheese
    1 c
  • colby jack cheese
    ¾ c
  • garlic
    2 clove
  • Chopped fresh basil

Directions

  1. 1

    Bake or deep fry chicken strips according to package directions (you can also make your own), set aside.

  2. 2

    Cook pasta according to package directions.

  3. 3

    Meanwhile mix all your Honey Pepper sauce ingredients in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring often. Remove from heat and let cool slightly to thicken.

  4. 4

    To make your cheese sauce melt your butter and cream together in a large pan.

  5. 5

    Once melted add in your cheese one at a time, stirring after each addition then and garlic and stir until incorporated and everything in melted.

  6. 6

    Add salt and pepper to taste.

  7. 7

    Add pasta to pan with sauce and stir to combine, add in your bacon and stir until incorporated.

  8. 8

    Dip each of your chicken strips into the honey pepper sauce until coated and set aside.

  9. 9

    When ready to serve, dish up your pasta and top with chicken strips and sprinkle with basil and additional bacon if desired.

Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese

Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese

40 min4 servings1037 cal

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About this Recipe

Dreaming of that irresistibly sweet and savory mac and cheese from your favorite restaurant? This homemade Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese brings that craveable flavor right to your kitchen, transforming ordinary comfort food into an extraordinary meal.

What makes this dish so utterly addicting is the harmonious blend of rich, creamy mac and cheese with crispy, tender chicken, savory bacon, and a vibrant honey pepper sauce. The thoughtful combination of sweet honey, brown sugar, zesty lemon, and a subtle kick of black and cayenne pepper in the sauce is what truly elevates this mac and cheese experience.

Prepare for a symphony of textures and tastes: tender spiral noodles enveloped in a luxurious, extra-cheesy blend of shredded Parmesan, fresh mozzarella, and Colby Jack cheeses. Each generous bite offers a delightful contrast of sweet and spicy from the unique honey pepper sauce, perfectly complemented by the savory breaded chicken and crisp, crumbled bacon. It's comfort food taken to an exciting new level, perfect for satisfying serious cravings and impressing family and friends.

Feel free to customize this indulgent dish to your liking. For a different protein, consider swapping the breaded chicken strips for grilled chicken or pan-fried tofu. You can also adjust the spice level by adding more or less cayenne pepper to the honey pepper sauce. Don't have a specific cheese? Experiment with your favorite good-melting cheeses to find your ideal creamy blend.

This hearty Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese is a standout meal on its own, ideal for a comforting weeknight dinner or a special gathering. Serve it warm, perhaps with a simple green salad to balance the richness.

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