Sweet and Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken with Creamy Mac and Cheese
A delicious dish blending sweet and spicy flavors with crispy chicken and creamy mac and cheese, perfect for any comfort food craving.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- to taste salt and pepper
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- vegetable oil, for frying
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sriracha sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional) for extra spice
- 1 tablespoon butter
For the Mac and Cheese
- 8 oz elbow macaroni
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- to taste salt and pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground mustard (optional)
Instructions
Preparation
- Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
- Prepare three bowls for the breading: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with breadcrumbs.
- Coat each chicken piece in flour, dip in the eggs, and then coat with breadcrumbs.
Frying the Chicken
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Fry the chicken pieces in batches for 5 to 7 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked.
- Transfer the fried chicken to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
Glaze Preparation
- In a small saucepan over low heat, combine honey, soy sauce, sriracha, garlic powder, and optional red pepper flakes.
- Stir continuously until the butter melts and the mixture is well combined.
- Keep the glaze warm while preparing the mac and cheese.
Mac and Cheese Preparation
- Cook macaroni as per package instructions, then drain.
- In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat, then whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Gradually add milk while whisking to prevent lumps until the mixture thickens.
- Reduce heat to low and stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted and smooth.
- Combine the cheese sauce with the cooked macaroni, adding salt, pepper, and optional ground mustard.
Assembly
- In a serving dish, place the creamy mac and cheese and crispy fried chicken.
- Drizzle the warm honey pepper glaze over the chicken before serving.
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Notes
Garnish with freshly chopped herbs like parsley or chives, and serve with a crisp salad or steamed vegetables for balance.