Introduction

This High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese is a perfect blend of savory and sweet flavors packed into a hearty, comforting meal. Tender chicken thighs glazed in a honey-garlic butter sauce pair wonderfully with creamy, protein-rich macaroni and cheese. It’s a satisfying dish that’s easy to prepare and packed with flavor.

A clear glass dish holds two main layers side by side: on the left is a thick layer of creamy, golden-yellow macaroni and cheese with small maple leaf-shaped pasta, sprinkled with finely chopped green herbs; on the right are four browned, crispy chicken patties stacked slightly overlapping, each with a glazed, shiny surface and flecks of green herbs all over, giving a textured, juicy look. The dish sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

Golden Honey-Garlic Chicken:

1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup honey
2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

Creamy Protein Macaroni:

12 oz elbow macaroni
2 cups 2% milk
4 oz cream cheese
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 tsp Dijon mustard
Pinch of nutmeg

Fresh Finishes:

2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

Step 1: Pat dry the chicken thighs and season with salt and black pepper. In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes to make the sauce.

Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sear for 5-7 minutes on each side until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.

Step 3: Reduce heat to medium and add butter to the skillet. Pour in the honey-garlic sauce and simmer, stirring continuously for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.

Step 4: Return the chicken to the skillet, tossing to coat well in the sauce. Let it simmer for a few minutes to absorb the flavors.

Step 5: Meanwhile, cook elbow macaroni in salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well but do not rinse.

Step 6: In the same pot, melt cream cheese over medium-low heat. Gradually whisk in milk until smooth. Stir in cheddar cheese, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, and nutmeg until creamy and melted.

Step 7: Add the drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir to coat thoroughly.

Step 8: Serve the creamy macaroni alongside the honey garlic butter chicken. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Tips & Variations

Let the chicken rest in the sauce for a few minutes before serving to deepen the flavor.

Prepare the honey-garlic sauce ahead of time and refrigerate to speed up cooking.

For thicker mac & cheese, add extra shredded cheddar cheese.

Use chicken breasts if preferred, but adjust cooking time to avoid drying out.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Yes, you can use boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Just be mindful of cooking time as breasts cook faster and can dry out more easily than thighs.

Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?

Absolutely. This dish keeps well when stored properly and can be portioned out for easy meals throughout the week.

Dinner

High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese Recipe