Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Mac
Introducing High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese
I’m thrilled to share my ultimate comfort food fusion today! This High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese combines two family favorites into one incredible dish.
When my kids requested both mac and cheese and chicken for dinner, I decided to create something special. The result? A protein-packed masterpiece that’s become our weekly tradition!
This High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese is perfect for busy weeknights. Plus, it delivers that protein boost we all need for sustained energy.
I’ve tested this recipe countless times, and it never disappoints. The sweet-savory combination of honey and garlic creates magic with the creamy mac and cheese base.
5 Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe
I’ve perfected this High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese over dozens of family dinners. Here’s why it’ll become your new favorite too!
- ️ One-Pan Wonder – Less cleanup means more family time!
- Protein Powerhouse – Each serving packs over 35g of muscle-building protein
- Kid-Approved – The sweet honey glaze wins over even picky eaters
- Ready in 30 Minutes – Perfect for busy weeknights
- Meal Prep Champion – Stays delicious for days in the fridge
I’ve watched my family devour this High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese time after time. The combination is truly magical!
Let’s Talk Ingredients
The secret to amazing High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese is quality ingredients. Here’s what makes this dish special!
Chicken Breast
For this High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese, I recommend using boneless, skinless chicken breasts. They cook quickly and absorb flavors beautifully.
Look for organic chicken when possible. Furthermore, pound the breasts to even thickness for consistent cooking throughout the dish.
Honey
Raw, unfiltered honey works best in this High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese. It adds complexity and the perfect touch of sweetness.
I’ve found that local honey adds a wonderful depth of flavor. However, any good quality honey will work beautifully in this recipe.
Protein-Enriched Pasta
To boost the protein content in our High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese, I use protein-enriched elbow macaroni. Additionally, lentil or chickpea pasta works great!
The extra protein from specialty pasta makes this dish truly satisfying. Moreover, it helps maintain stable blood sugar levels after eating.
Cheese Blend
For the creamiest High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese, I use a mix of sharp cheddar and mozzarella. The combination creates perfect meltability!
Grate your own cheese rather than using pre-shredded. Besides, freshly grated cheese melts more smoothly without anti-caking agents.
Garlic Butter
Fresh garlic and quality butter create the flavor foundation for our High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese. I use unsalted butter for better control.
Mince garlic fresh for the most vibrant flavor. Meanwhile, European-style butter with higher fat content creates an extra luscious sauce.
How to Make High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese
Creating this High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese is easier than you might think! Follow these simple steps for dinner success.
First, season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Then, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with a tablespoon of olive oil.
Sear chicken for 5-6 minutes per side until golden. Meanwhile, cook your protein-enriched pasta according to package directions in salted water.
In a separate saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of butter. Next, add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Whisk in 1/4 cup of honey and let it bubble for 1 minute. Subsequently, add 1/4 cup of chicken broth and simmer until slightly thickened.
Pour this honey garlic butter sauce over the chicken. After that, continue cooking for 2-3 minutes until chicken is glazed and cooked through.
For the mac and cheese, drain pasta and return to pot. Then, add 2 tablespoons butter, 1/2 cup milk, and 2 cups cheese blend.
Stir over low heat until cheese is melted and creamy. Finally, slice the chicken and serve it over the mac and cheese.
Drizzle remaining honey garlic butter sauce over everything. Additionally, garnish with chopped parsley for a fresh finish to your High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese!
7 Pro Tips for Kitchen Success
After making this High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese dozens of times, I’ve discovered some game-changing tricks!
- Temp Matters – Bring chicken to room temperature for 15 minutes before cooking for even searing
- Pasta Water – Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water to thin out mac and cheese if needed
- Honey Hack – Warm honey slightly before measuring for easier pouring
- Cheese Secret – Add cheese gradually off heat to prevent clumping
- Rest Time – Let chicken rest 5 minutes before slicing for juicier results
- Al Dente – Slightly undercook pasta as it will continue cooking in the cheese sauce
- Make Ahead – Prepare components separately and combine just before serving
These tips will elevate your High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese from good to restaurant-quality! Trust me, your family will taste the difference.
Common Cooking Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced cooks can stumble when making High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese. Here are the pitfalls to watch for! ️
Overcrowding the pan when cooking chicken is a major mistake. Instead, cook in batches if needed for proper browning and caramelization.
Boiling the honey garlic sauce can burn the honey. Therefore, keep it at a gentle simmer for the best flavor development.
Using cold dairy products can make your mac and cheese grainy. Consequently, bring milk to room temperature before adding to the pasta.
Rushing the process leads to undercooked chicken. Hence, use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F internally.
Over-stirring mac and cheese can break the sauce. Rather, fold gently to maintain creaminess in your High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese.
Frequently Asked Questions
I’ve received so many questions about my High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese recipe! Here are the answers to your most common queries.
Can I use chicken thighs instead?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs work wonderfully in this High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese. They’re even more forgiving than breasts and add extra flavor.
Just adjust cooking time accordingly. Besides, thighs may need an extra 2-3 minutes per side to reach the safe internal temperature.
Is this dish freezer-friendly?
This High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese freezes beautifully! However, I recommend freezing the chicken and sauce separately from the mac and cheese.
Reheat gently with a splash of milk to revive the creaminess. Furthermore, it will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months when stored properly.
What can I substitute for honey?
If you’re avoiding honey, maple syrup makes an excellent substitute in this High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese. The flavor profile changes slightly but remains delicious!
Agave nectar also works well. In addition, brown sugar dissolved in a bit of water can be used in a pinch.
How do I make this dairy-free?
You can make a dairy-free version of High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese! Use plant-based butter, unsweetened almond milk, and your favorite dairy-free cheese.
Nutritional yeast adds extra cheesy flavor to dairy-free versions. Nevertheless, the protein content may vary slightly from the original recipe.
High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese Recipe
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Yields: 4 servings
Ingredients:
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 8 oz protein-enriched elbow macaroni
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup raw honey
- 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup milk (room temperature)
- 2 cups cheese blend (1.5 cups sharp cheddar, 1/2 cup mozzarella), freshly grated
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
- Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and garlic powder on both sides.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for 5-6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through (165°F internal temperature). Remove and set aside.
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook protein-enriched pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
- In the same skillet used for chicken, melt 4 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add honey and stir to combine. Let bubble for 1 minute, then add chicken broth. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Return chicken to the skillet, spooning sauce over the top. Cook for 2-3 more minutes until chicken is glazed and heated through. Remove from heat.
- Return drained pasta to its pot over low heat. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter, milk, and cheese blend. Stir gently until melted and creamy, adding reserved pasta water if needed.
- Slice chicken into strips and serve over the mac and cheese. Drizzle remaining honey garlic butter sauce over everything.
- Garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired.
Final Thoughts
This High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese has transformed our family dinner routine! It combines nutrition and comfort food perfectly.
I love watching everyone’s eyes light up when I serve this dish. Moreover, the protein boost keeps us satisfied for hours after eating.
If you’re looking for more protein-packed comfort food, you might also enjoy my keto chicken and mac cheese variation. It’s another family favorite!
Don’t forget to comment below with your results when you try this High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese! I can’t wait to hear how your family enjoys it.
Until next time, happy cooking! This High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese is sure to become your new go-to dinner recipe.