Sweet Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken (Printable)
Tender chicken glazed with sweet and spicy honey pepper sauce, served with ultra-creamy mac and cheese for ultimate comfort.
# Ingredient List:
→ For the Chicken
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 tsp salt
03 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
04 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
05 - 2 tbsp olive oil
→ For the Honey Pepper Sauce
06 - 1/3 cup honey
07 - 2 tbsp soy sauce
08 - 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
09 - 1 tbsp sriracha or hot sauce
10 - 1 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
11 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
12 - 1 tbsp unsalted butter
→ For the Creamy Mac and Cheese
13 - 12 oz elbow macaroni or small pasta
14 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
15 - 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
16 - 2 cups whole milk
17 - 1 cup heavy cream
18 - 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
19 - 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
20 - 1/2 tsp salt
21 - 1/4 tsp ground mustard
22 - 1/4 tsp white or black pepper
# How to Make:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F.
02 - Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken on both sides until golden, about 3 minutes per side.
04 - In a small saucepan, combine honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, sriracha, black pepper, and minced garlic. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, cook for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened. Stir in butter.
05 - Brush half the honey pepper sauce over seared chicken. Transfer skillet to oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
06 - Meanwhile, cook macaroni in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions; drain and set aside.
07 - In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk and cream; cook, stirring, until thickened, 3-5 minutes.
08 - Remove from heat. Add cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, salt, mustard, and pepper; stir until smooth. Add pasta, stirring to coat evenly.
09 - Remove chicken from oven, brush with remaining honey pepper sauce. Let rest 5 minutes before slicing.
10 - Serve sliced chicken over or alongside creamy mac and cheese.
# Helpful Tips:
01 -
- The honey pepper sauce creates this incredible sticky coating that clings to every bite
- That balance of sweet heat and creamy cheese feels like a warm hug on a plate
02 -
- The sauce thickens quickly as it cools, so brush it on while the chicken is still hot from the oven
- Grating your own cheese makes a huge difference in how smoothly it melts into the sauce
03 -
- Letting the chicken rest before slicing keeps all those juices inside
- The honey glaze burns easily at high heat, so watch it closely under the broiler