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- 2 cups elbow macaroni - 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, diced - 2 tablespoons honey - 3 cloves garlic, minced - 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded - 1 cup Greek yogurt - 2 cups chicken broth - 1 tablespoon olive oil - 1 teaspoon paprika - Salt and pepper to taste - 1/4 cup green onions, chopped This dish starts with simple, yet flavorful ingredients. The elbow macaroni gives a great base. I love using boneless, skinless chicken breast for its lean protein. Honey adds a sweet touch that balances the garlic's punch. Fresh garlic gives the best flavor, so I always use minced garlic. Sharp cheddar cheese is key; it makes the sauce creamy and rich. I add Greek yogurt for extra creaminess and protein. Chicken broth provides depth to the sauce. Olive oil helps cook the chicken and adds a nice richness. Paprika brings warmth to the dish. I always season with salt and pepper to enhance all the flavors. Finally, I top it all off with chopped green onions for a fresh bite and color. Each ingredient plays a role in creating a tasty and satisfying meal. {{ingredient_image_1}} First, take a large pot and fill it with water. Add salt to the water to season it. Bring the water to a boil. Once it boils, add the elbow macaroni. Cook it according to the package instructions until it's al dente. This usually takes about 7 to 9 minutes. When done, drain the pasta in a colander and set it aside. Next, grab a large skillet and heat olive oil over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the diced chicken breast. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and paprika. Cook the chicken for about 7 to 10 minutes. You want it golden brown and cooked through. Stir it occasionally to ensure even cooking. Now, lower the heat on your skillet. Add minced garlic to the chicken and sauté for about 1 minute. The garlic should smell fragrant but not burn. After that, drizzle in the honey. Stir the chicken well to coat it in the honey. Cook for 2 more minutes until the sauce thickens a bit. In the same pot you used for the pasta, pour in the chicken broth. Bring the broth to a gentle simmer. Gradually add Greek yogurt to the pot. Stir it until the mixture is smooth and creamy. This will help to make your sauce rich and give extra protein. Once the sauce is creamy, slowly mix in the shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Stir constantly until the cheese melts and blends into the sauce. This will give the dish a cheesy flavor that pairs well with the chicken and honey. Finally, add the drained macaroni and the honey garlic chicken into the cheese sauce. Mix everything together well, making sure each piece of pasta is coated. Taste your dish and adjust seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed. Serve the Honey Garlic Chicken Mac and Cheese hot, garnished with chopped green onions for a fresh touch. Enjoy every cheesy bite! To boost protein in this dish, use Greek yogurt. It adds creaminess and protein. You can also try adding cottage cheese or even ricotta. These options blend well into the cheese sauce. For an extra protein punch, consider using ground turkey instead of chicken. This keeps the dish tasty while adding more protein per serving. Creaminess is key in mac and cheese. Greek yogurt helps, but you can use different methods too. Try adding more cheese, like Monterey Jack or Gouda. This gives a rich texture. You can also stir in a bit of milk or cream. This will help achieve the perfect creamy consistency. Remember to mix slowly to keep the sauce smooth. Seasoning is crucial for flavor. I love using garlic and paprika for a great taste. You can add more spices, like onion powder or cayenne pepper, for heat. Fresh herbs like thyme or basil can also add depth. Just remember, taste as you go! Adjust salt and pepper to your liking for the best flavor experience. Pro Tips Use Fresh Garlic: Freshly minced garlic provides a more robust flavor than pre-minced alternatives; it enhances the dish's aroma and taste. Cheese Choices: Experiment with different cheeses like Gruyère or Monterey Jack for a unique twist on the mac and cheese flavor profile. Cooking Chicken: Make sure not to overcrowd the skillet when cooking the chicken; this ensures even cooking and browning. Adjust Creaminess: If you prefer a creamier mac and cheese, add a bit more Greek yogurt or a splash of cream to the sauce. {{image_2}} You can swap the sharp cheddar cheese for other types. Try mozzarella for a milder taste. For a bolder flavor, use gouda or pepper jack. Mixing two cheeses can also create a fun depth of flavor. Just make sure to keep the total amount the same. To make this dish vegetarian, replace the chicken with cooked chickpeas or lentils. They add protein and a nice texture. You can also add veggies like spinach or bell peppers for extra color and nutrition. Just sauté them before adding to the cheese sauce. If you like heat, add some diced jalapeños or red pepper flakes. Mix them in with the chicken as it cooks. For an even spicier kick, try a spicy cheese, like pepper jack. This variation brings a new level of excitement to your meal. After enjoying your Honey Garlic Chicken Mac and Cheese, store the leftovers in an airtight container. Make sure to cool the dish to room temperature first. This helps maintain the taste and texture. Leftovers can last for up to three days in the fridge. Label the container with the date to keep track of freshness. To reheat, place the leftovers in a microwave-safe bowl. Add a splash of chicken broth or water to keep it moist. Cover the bowl with a microwave-safe lid or wrap. Heat in the microwave for about 1-2 minutes. Stir halfway for even warming. You can also reheat in a skillet over low heat. Stir often to prevent sticking. If you want to save some for later, you can freeze the Honey Garlic Chicken Mac and Cheese. Use a freezer-safe container or bag. Make sure to remove as much air as possible. Label it with the date. It can last for about 2-3 months in the freezer. To thaw, place it in the fridge overnight before reheating. Yes, you can use whole wheat pasta. It adds more fiber and nutrients. The taste and texture are a bit different, but it will still work well. Just cook it according to package directions. Whole wheat pasta makes this dish even healthier. To make this dish dairy-free, switch Greek yogurt and cheese for plant-based options. Use almond or coconut yogurt. For cheese, try a dairy-free cheese blend. Nutritional yeast can add a cheesy flavor, too. Adjust the liquid in the sauce with more broth as needed. If you don't have Greek yogurt, use plain yogurt or sour cream. You can also try silken tofu blended until smooth. Each option will keep the dish creamy and rich. Just make sure it has a similar texture for the best results. The chicken is fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. You can check this with a meat thermometer. The meat should look white and be firm. If it’s still pink or soft, cook it a bit longer. Always ensure your chicken is safe to eat. This blog explored a tasty pasta dish with chicken and honey garlic sauce. We covered the key ingredients, like elbow macaroni and sharp cheddar. You learned step-by-step how to cook the pasta and prepare the chicken. Tips helped you enhance protein and perfect creaminess. We even looked at variations, storage info, and common questions. Cooking can be fun and easy with these simple steps. Enjoy your delicious creation!

Honey Garlic Chicken Mac and Cheese

A creamy and flavorful mac and cheese dish featuring honey garlic chicken.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 600 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups elbow macaroni
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, diced
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup Greek yogurt
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • to taste salt and pepper
  • 1 4 cup green onions, chopped

Instructions
 

  • In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  • In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced chicken, season with salt, pepper, and paprika, and cook for about 7-10 minutes until cooked through and golden brown.
  • Lower the heat and add the minced garlic to the skillet with chicken. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Then drizzle in the honey, stirring to coat the chicken evenly. Cook for another 2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
  • In the same pot used for the pasta, pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Gradually add the Greek yogurt, stirring until smooth and creamy.
  • Gradually mix in the shredded cheddar cheese until fully melted and incorporated into the sauce.
  • Add the drained macaroni and honey garlic chicken to the cheese sauce, stirring well to combine all ingredients. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed.
  • Spoon the Honey Garlic Chicken Mac and Cheese onto plates and garnish with fresh chopped green onions.

Notes

Serve in deep bowls with a sprinkle of extra cheddar on top and a drizzle of honey for an added touch of elegance. Enjoy!
Keyword chicken, honey garlic, mac and cheese