High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken (Printable Recipe Version)
Juicy honey garlic chicken with creamy mac & cheese, blending rich flavors and high protein for a filling dish.
# Ingredients You’ll Need:
→ Chicken Marinade
01 -
3 chicken breasts, cubed
02 -
2 tablespoons olive oil
03 -
4 cloves garlic, minced
04 -
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
05 -
2 teaspoons garlic powder
06 -
1 teaspoon dried parsley
07 -
2 teaspoons salt
08 -
0.5 teaspoon black pepper
→ For Cooking the Chicken
09 -
3 tablespoons avocado oil or neutral oil
10 -
2 tablespoons butter
11 -
1 tablespoon honey
12 -
2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley
→ Mac & Cheese
13 -
2 tablespoons butter
14 -
4 cloves garlic, minced
15 -
480 millilitres heavy cream
16 -
60 grams freshly grated mozzarella
17 -
60 grams freshly grated cheddar cheese
18 -
340 grams elbow macaroni, cooked al dente
19 -
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
20 -
2 teaspoons garlic powder
21 -
2 teaspoons salt
22 -
0.5 teaspoon black pepper
# Steps to Make It:
01 -
Combine cubed chicken breasts with olive oil, minced garlic, smoked paprika, garlic powder, dried parsley, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl. Toss thoroughly to coat and marinate for 10 minutes.
02 -
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add avocado oil and the marinated chicken pieces. Cook for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden and cooked through.
03 -
Lower the heat. Add butter, honey, and chopped parsley to the chicken in the skillet. Stir to coat evenly, then remove chicken from the pan and set aside.
04 -
In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat to deglaze. Add minced garlic and sauté for 2–3 minutes, until aromatic and golden. Pour in heavy cream and allow it to gently simmer.
05 -
Stir in grated mozzarella, cheddar cheese, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
06 -
Boil elbow macaroni in salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold running water to halt cooking.
07 -
Add the drained macaroni to the skillet with the cheese sauce. Simmer over low heat for 5 minutes, stirring to evenly coat the pasta.
08 -
Top macaroni and cheese with prepared honey garlic butter chicken. Serve warm, or portion into containers for meal prep.
# Extra Information:
01 -
For optimal texture, grate cheese fresh to ensure a smooth and creamy sauce.