
This crispy, sticky, sweet-and-spicy honey pepper chicken pairs perfectly with ultra-creamy macaroni & cheese for a restaurant-worthy meal thatβs totally irresistible. The crunchy chicken, caramelized honey glaze, and velvety mac & cheese create an unforgettable combo!
π Prep Time: 20 minutes
β³ Cook Time: 30 minutes
β± Total Time: 50 minutes
π½ Servings: 4
π₯ Calories per Serving: ~750
π Ingredients
For the Honey Pepper Chicken:
- π 2 large chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- π₯ 2 eggs, beaten
- πΎ 1 cup all-purpose flour
- π₯ 1 tsp salt
- πΆ Β½ tsp black pepper
- π½ Β½ cup cornstarch (for extra crispiness)
- π’ Vegetable oil, for frying
For the Honey Pepper Glaze:
- π― Β½ cup honey
- πΆ 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to spice level)
- π₯£ ΒΌ cup soy sauce
- π₯ 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- π₯ 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- π§ 1 clove garlic, minced
- πΏ 1 tbsp butter (for richness)
For the Creamy Mac & Cheese:
- π 2 cups elbow macaroni
- π§ 3 tbsp butter
- πΎ 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- π₯ 2 cups whole milk
- π§ 1 Β½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- π§ Β½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- π₯ 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- π§ Salt & pepper, to taste
π©βπ³ Instructions
Make the Chicken:
1οΈβ£ Heat the oil to 350Β°F (175Β°C) in a deep pan or fryer.
2οΈβ£ Coat the chicken: In a bowl, mix flour, cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Dip each piece of chicken into the beaten eggs, then dredge in the flour mixture until well coated.
3οΈβ£ Fry until golden: Cook chicken in batches for 4-5 minutes until crispy. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
Make the Honey Pepper Glaze:
4οΈβ£ In a saucepan over medium heat, combine honey, red pepper flakes, soy sauce, vinegar, Dijon mustard, and garlic. Simmer for 3-5 minutes until slightly thickened.
5οΈβ£ Remove from heat and stir in butter. Toss the fried chicken in the glaze until fully coated.
Make the Mac & Cheese:
6οΈβ£ Cook macaroni according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
7οΈβ£ In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Slowly add milk, whisking constantly, until smooth.
8οΈβ£ Stir in cheddar and mozzarella cheese, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Cook until cheese is fully melted.
9οΈβ£ Mix in the cooked macaroni and stir until creamy.
Assemble & Serve:
π Plate the creamy mac & cheese and top with the sweet and spicy honey pepper chicken. Garnish with extra honey drizzle and chopped parsley.
π― Why Youβll Love This Recipe
βοΈ Crispy, sticky, sweet & spicy chicken thatβs completely addictive!
βοΈ Extra creamy, cheesy mac & cheese for the ultimate comfort.
βοΈ The perfect balance of heat and sweetness in every bite!
βοΈ A restaurant-quality meal you can make at home!
π₯ Helpful Tips
β
Want it spicier? Add more red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce.
β
Extra crispy chicken? Double-fry itβfry once, let rest, then fry again for 2 minutes.
β
Make it extra cheesy by adding Parmesan or smoked gouda to the mac & cheese.
Enjoy your Sweet and Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken with Creamy Mac & Cheeseβa flavor-packed dish that will have everyone asking for seconds! π―πΆοΈπ§ Let me know if you need more delicious recipes! π
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