Honey Pepper Chicken Mac (Print)
Crispy chicken strips coated in sweet-spicy honey glaze served over creamy three-cheese spiral pasta with crispy bacon crumbles.
# Ingredients:
→ Main Ingredients
01 -
16 ounces spiral noodles
02 -
25 ounces breaded chicken strips
03 -
5 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
04 -
Salt and pepper, to taste
05 -
Fresh basil for garnish
→ Honey Pepper Sauce
06 -
3/4 cup honey
07 -
1/4 cup light brown sugar
08 -
3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
09 -
1/4 cup pineapple juice
10 -
Juice of 1 lemon
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1 tablespoon vinegar
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1 teaspoon black pepper
13 -
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
→ Cheese Sauce
14 -
1 stick butter
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2 cups heavy cream
16 -
1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
17 -
1 cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
18 -
3/4 cup freshly shredded colby jack cheese
19 -
2-3 cloves minced garlic
# Steps:
01 -
Follow the package instructions to cook the breaded chicken strips either by baking or frying. Once cooked, set them aside.
02 -
Boil the spiral noodles according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
03 -
In a saucepan, combine honey, brown sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice, lemon juice, vinegar, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Bring to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes until slightly thickened. Allow to cool slightly.
04 -
Melt butter in a pan. Add heavy cream and stir in parmesan, mozzarella, and colby jack cheese gradually. Add minced garlic and season with salt and pepper to taste.
05 -
Mix the cooked pasta with the prepared cheese sauce. Stir in bacon for added flavor.
06 -
Dip the cooked chicken strips in the honey pepper sauce, ensuring they are thoroughly coated.
07 -
Plate the pasta mixture, top with the honey pepper chicken strips, and garnish with fresh basil or additional bacon, if desired.
# Additional Notes:
01 -
For a gluten-free version, replace the noodles with gluten-free pasta and use breaded chicken strips made with gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond flour.