Description

This High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese recipe combines tender, flavorful chicken breasts marinated in a garlic and smoked paprika blend, cooked in buttery honey garlic sauce, and served with a creamy, cheesy mac and cheese. It’s a delicious, comforting dish perfect for meal prep or a satisfying dinner that balances rich flavors with high protein content.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken Marinade

3 chicken breasts, cubed
2 tbsp olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp smoked paprika
2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dried parsley
2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

For Cooking Chicken

3 tbsp avocado oil (or oil of choice)
2 tbsp butter
1 tbsp honey
2 tbsp freshly chopped parsley

Mac & Cheese Sauce

2 tbsp butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups heavy cream
1/2 cup freshly grated mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup freshly grated cheddar cheese
2 tsp smoked paprika
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

Pasta

12 oz elbow macaroni, cooked al dente

Instructions

Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine the cubed chicken with olive oil, minced garlic, smoked paprika, garlic powder, dried parsley, salt, and black pepper. Toss well to coat all pieces evenly. Let the chicken marinate for 10 minutes to absorb all the flavors while preparing other ingredients.
Cook the Chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium heat, add the marinated chicken and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is fully cooked and no longer pink inside. Reduce heat to low, then add butter, honey, and freshly chopped parsley. Stir gently, allowing the butter to melt and the sauce to coat the chicken evenly. Set the chicken aside.
Make the Mac & Cheese Sauce: In the same skillet, add butter to deglaze the pan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 2-3 minutes until golden and fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream, bringing it to a gentle bubble.
Melt the Cheese: Stir in the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheeses along with smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Continue stirring until the cheese melts completely, creating a smooth, creamy sauce.
Cook the Pasta: Meanwhile, boil the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and prevent it from becoming mushy.
Combine: Add the cooked, drained pasta to the cheese sauce and stir to coat thoroughly. Let the mixture simmer on low heat for about 5 minutes to meld the flavors together.
Serve & Store: Serve the honey garlic butter chicken alongside or atop the creamy mac & cheese. For meal prep, divide the portions evenly into four airtight containers. Enjoy warm or refrigerate for up to 4 days.

Notes

Marinate chicken only for 10 minutes to keep it tender and flavorful, but not soggy.
Use freshly grated cheese for a smoother melt and better flavor.
Rinsing pasta under cold water stops the cooking process and helps maintain ideal texture.
Adjust the seasoning in the mac & cheese sauce to taste before combining with pasta.
Store leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator and reheat gently to prevent drying the chicken.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: honey garlic chicken, butter chicken, high protein chicken, mac and cheese, creamy mac and cheese, stovetop chicken recipe, comfort food, meal prep dinner