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Delicious high-protein honey garlic butter chicken served with mac and cheese

High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese

A delicious one-pan meal that combines savory honey garlic chicken with creamy mac and cheese, perfect for a cozy family dinner.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 550
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 3 pieces 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
For Cooking
  • 3 tbsp avocado oil (or oil of choice)
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 2 tbsp freshly chopped parsley
For the Mac & Cheese
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated mozzarella
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated cheddar cheese
  • 12 oz elbow macaroni (cooked al dente)
  • 2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Combine the cubed chicken with olive oil, minced garlic, smoked paprika, garlic powder, dried parsley, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl. Let it marinate for 10 minutes.
Cooking the Chicken
  1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the marinated chicken. Cook for 10-15 minutes until fully cooked.
  2. Stir in the butter, honey, and chopped parsley and let it melt, then set aside.
Making Mac & Cheese
  1. In the same skillet, add butter to deglaze the pan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes.
  2. Pour in the heavy cream and allow it to bubble.
  3. Stir in mozzarella, cheddar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth and creamy.
Final Assembly
  1. Boil the elbow macaroni according to package instructions. Drain and rinse.
  2. Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and simmer on low for about 5 minutes.
  3. Enjoy warm or divide into containers for meal prep.

Notes

Marinate the chicken longer for even more flavor. Swap out mozzarella for gouda for a smoky twist. Add spinach or broccoli for a nutrient boost.