Honey Garlic Butter Chicken (Print-Friendly Version)

Tender chicken glazed with honey garlic butter paired with rich and creamy mac and cheese.

# Ingredients:

→ Chicken

01 - 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed

→ Marinade

02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
05 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - 1 teaspoon dried parsley
07 - Salt, to taste
08 - Black pepper, to taste

→ Sauce

09 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
10 - 2 tablespoons honey
11 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
12 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
13 - 1 cup heavy cream
14 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
15 - 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
16 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
17 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
18 - Salt, to taste
19 - Black pepper, to taste

→ Pasta

20 - 8 ounces elbow macaroni

# Steps:

01 - In a large bowl, combine cubed chicken with olive oil, minced garlic, smoked paprika, garlic powder, dried parsley, salt, and black pepper. Let marinate for 10 minutes.
02 - Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add marinated chicken and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fully cooked. Reduce heat to low, stir in 1 tablespoon butter, honey, and chopped fresh parsley. Allow butter to melt and coat the chicken. Remove from heat and set aside.
03 - Using the same skillet, melt remaining 1 tablespoon butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden. Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
04 - Stir in shredded mozzarella, cheddar cheese, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix continuously until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
05 - Boil elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking.
06 - Add the drained pasta to the cheese sauce. Stir to combine and simmer on low heat for 5 minutes to meld flavors.
07 - Serve immediately warm or portion into four airtight containers for meal prep.

# Notes & Tips:

01 - Marinate chicken for at least 10 minutes to maximize flavor; longer marination enhances taste further.
02 - Avoid overcooking pasta; rinsing under cold water stops the cooking process and keeps pasta al dente.
03 - When reheating mac and cheese, add a splash of milk to restore creaminess.

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