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High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese

A comforting dish combining marinated chicken and creamy cheese sauce with elbow macaroni, perfect for building confidence in the kitchen.
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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, Comfort Food
Calories: 750
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 3 pieces chicken breasts, cubed The main protein and texture anchor.
  • 2 tbsp olive oil Helps the marinade cling to the chicken.
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced Gives a classic savory base.
  • 2 tsp smoked paprika Adds gentle warmth and smokiness.
  • 2 tsp garlic powder Reinforces fresh garlic flavor.
  • 1 tsp dried parsley Provides mild herb lift.
  • 2 tsp salt Essential for seasoning.
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper Adds a soft bite.
For Cooking
  • 3 tbsp avocado oil (or oil of choice) Used for cooking the chicken.
  • 2 tbsp butter Enriches the sauce.
  • 1 tbsp honey Balances the savory garlic.
  • 2 tbsp freshly chopped parsley A finishing herb that brightens the whole dish.
For the Cheese Sauce
  • 2 cups heavy cream The base of the cheese sauce.
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated mozzarella Adds stretch and smoothness.
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated cheddar cheese Adds sharper tang.
For the Pasta
  • 12 oz elbow macaroni, cooked al dente Pasta base that holds up in the sauce.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Marinate the cubed chicken with olive oil, minced garlic, smoked paprika, garlic powder, dried parsley, salt, and black pepper for about 10 minutes.
Cooking the Chicken
  1. Cook the marinated chicken in a skillet over medium heat for 10-15 minutes until fully cooked.
  2. Stir in butter, honey, and chopped parsley.
Making the Sauce
  1. In the same skillet, sauté additional minced garlic in butter before adding heavy cream.
  2. Allow it to bubble gently.
  3. Stir in mozzarella and cheddar until melted and creamy.
Pasta Cooking
  1. Boil elbow macaroni until al dente; drain and rinse under cold water.
Combining
  1. Combine cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce and simmer on low for about 5 minutes.

Notes

Serving suggestions: Spoon the mac and cheese onto plates and top with the honey garlic chicken, finishing with a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley. Pair with a simple green salad or steamed vegetables, if desired.