Why Make This Recipe
When it comes to weeknight dinners, finding a balance between delicious and nutritious can feel tricky. That’s where this High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese shines. It provides a wonderful mix of protein-packed chicken and creamy, cheesy goodness in a dish your whole family will enjoy. The sweet and savory honey garlic glaze brings everything together beautifully, making it an enticing meal for anyone at the dinner table. Plus, it’s a lifesaver for busy parents geared up for a hectic evening—simple to make, satisfying to eat!
How to Make High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese
This recipe may seem like it contains a lot of steps, but each one is straightforward. Let’s break it down into easy-to-follow segments. Trust me, with a little prep, you can whip this up with ease.
Ingredients
- 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
- 3 tbsp avocado oil (or oil of choice)
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp freshly chopped parsley
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated mozzarella
- 1/2 cup freshly grated cheddar cheese
- 12 oz elbow macaroni (cooked al dente)
Directions
Start by marinating those chicken cubes! In a bowl, mix together olive oil, minced garlic, smoked paprika, garlic powder, dried parsley, salt, and black pepper. Add the cubed chicken and let it sit for about 10 minutes to soak up all those flavors.
Heat a skillet over medium heat and toss in your marinated chicken. Cook it for 10-15 minutes until it is fully cooked and has a lovely golden brown color. Stir in the butter, honey, and chopped parsley to finish it off.
In the same skillet, sauté some additional minced garlic in butter. Then add your heavy cream and let it bubble gently—don’t rush it!
Stir in the mozzarella and cheddar cheese until melted and creamy. This part is like magic as it all comes together.
While the sauce is coming together, boil your elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until they’re al dente. Once cooked, drain and give them a rinse under cold water.
Finally, combine the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce, and let it simmer on low for about 5 minutes. Your delicious meal is ready to serve!
How to Serve High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese
Serve this comforting dish warm right off the stovetop. I like to plate the creamy mac and cheese first and then add a generous scoop of the honey garlic butter chicken on top. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a pop of color. Don’t forget to have some extra cheese or garlic bread on the side for those kids who love the cheesy goodness!
How to Store High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese
If you have leftovers (which I hope you do!), store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They should be good for about 3-4 days. When reheating, add a splash of cream or a little milk to bring back the creaminess. Just warm it up in the microwave or on the stove until heated through.
Tips to Make High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese
Prep Ahead: On busy nights, marinate your chicken in the morning or even the night before. This saves time and enhances the flavor!
Kid-Friendly: You can tweak the spices to make it milder for sensitive taste buds. Swap smoked paprika with a pinch of ground paprika instead.
Meal Prep Magic: Make a double batch when you have time. You can freeze portions to enjoy another day!
Variations
Feel free to customize this dish based on your family’s preferences. Swap chicken for turkey or even some beans for a vegetarian twist. If you’re not a fan of elbow macaroni, any pasta shape you like will work beautifully. Longer pasta, like spaghetti, adds a fun twist!
FAQs
Can I use low-fat cream instead of heavy cream?
Yes! You can use low-fat cream to reduce calories, but keep in mind the sauce may not be as rich and creamy.
What if my kids don’t like garlic?
You can simply reduce the amount of garlic or leave it out entirely. The honey and butter will still provide great flavor.
Is there a way to make this dish gluten-free?
Absolutely! Just use gluten-free macaroni and make sure all other ingredients, like the spices, are gluten-free.
With just a few simple steps, this High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese will quickly become a favorite in your home. Happy cooking!
High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: High-Protein
Description
A delicious weeknight dinner featuring protein-packed chicken and creamy mac and cheese, drizzled with a sweet and savory honey garlic glaze.
Ingredients
- 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
- 3 tbsp avocado oil (or oil of choice)
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp freshly chopped parsley
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated mozzarella
- 1/2 cup freshly grated cheddar cheese
- 12 oz elbow macaroni (cooked al dente)
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix together olive oil, minced garlic, smoked paprika, garlic powder, dried parsley, salt, and black pepper. Add the cubed chicken and let it sit for about 10 minutes to soak up all those flavors.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and toss in your marinated chicken. Cook for 10-15 minutes until fully cooked and golden brown. Stir in the butter, honey, and chopped parsley.
- Sauté additional minced garlic in butter in the same skillet, then add heavy cream and let it bubble.
- Stir in mozzarella and cheddar cheese until melted and creamy.
- While the sauce comes together, boil elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- Combine cooked macaroni with cheese sauce and let it simmer on low for about 5 minutes. Your meal is ready to serve.
Notes
For a kid-friendly adjustment, use milder spices. You can also customize the protein or pasta shape to suit your preferences.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
Keywords: chicken, mac and cheese, honey garlic, quick dinner, family meal