High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese
A delicious and comforting dish that combines tender chicken in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce with creamy mac and cheese, providing a high-protein meal that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- to taste Salt and pepper for seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil for cooking the chicken
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter for the sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced use freshly minced for the best flavor
- ⅓ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons of water
For the Mac & Cheese
- 2 cups milk gently bring to a simmer
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese make sure it melts smoothly
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni or your pasta of choice
- to taste Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
Preparation
- Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Cooking Chicken
- Add the seasoned chicken breasts to the skillet. Cook for about 5-6 minutes on each side until golden-brown and cooked through.
- Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Making the Sauce
- In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add the butter and minced garlic. Sauté for about one minute until fragrant.
- Stir in honey, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and coat well in the sauce.
- Dissolve cornstarch in water and whisk into the sauce to thicken. Cook for an additional couple of minutes.
Preparing the Mac & Cheese
- Cook macaroni according to package instructions. Drain and keep in the pot.
- In a separate saucepan, bring the milk to a simmer and gradually stir in cheddar cheese until smooth.
- Pour the cheese mixture over the cooked macaroni and stir until coated.
Serving
- Serve a portion of mac and cheese on a plate alongside a chicken breast glistening with honey garlic sauce.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley.
Notes
Ensure chicken is at room temperature before cooking for even cooking. Use freshly minced garlic for the most flavor. Don’t rush the cheese melting process; a gentle heat will help prevent clumping. Taste the sauce before serving to adjust flavors.