Sweet and Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken with Creamy Mac and Cheese
A delightful blend of crispy honey-glazed fried chicken paired with creamy homemade mac and cheese, perfect for family dinners or cozy nights in.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 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)
For the Mac and Cheese
- 8 oz elbow macaroni
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk at room temperature
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon ground mustard (optional)
- 1 tablespoon butter, for the glaze to enhance the glaze flavor
Instructions
Preparation
- Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
- Set up a breading station with three shallow dishes: one for flour, one for beaten eggs, and one for breadcrumbs.
- Coat the chicken by dredging in flour, dipping in egg, and rolling in breadcrumbs.
Fry the Chicken
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Fry chicken pieces in batches for 5-7 minutes until golden brown.
- Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
Prepare the Glaze
- Whisk together honey, soy sauce, sriracha, garlic powder, and optional red pepper flakes in a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Heat until well combined and glistening.
Make the Mac and Cheese
- Cook elbow macaroni according to package instructions, then drain.
- In a saucepan, melt unsalted butter and whisk in flour to create a roux.
- Gradually add milk while stirring constantly until mixture thickens.
- Mix in shredded cheddar cheese until melted and smooth.
- Season cheese sauce with salt, pepper, and ground mustard.
- Combine cooked macaroni with cheese sauce, mixing until coated.
Serve
- Drizzle the fried chicken with the sweet and spicy honey glaze.
- Serve with a generous portion of creamy mac and cheese.
Notes
For storage, keep chicken and mac and cheese in separate airtight containers for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. You can freeze the chicken for up to 2 months.