Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Mac & Cheese – Cheesy Baked Comfort Food with Juicy Chicken, Honey Garlic Sauce & Creamy Pasta
Samantha
This Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Mac & Cheese is the ultimate cheesy comfort food—juicy chicken bites glazed in sticky honey garlic butter sauce folded into creamy baked mac and cheese. Packed with nearly 40g of protein per serving, it’s perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or cozy comfort food nights.
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
Total Time 45 minutes mins
Course Comfort Food, Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American with Asian-Inspired Flavors
Servings 6
Calories 530 kcal
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 1 lb elbow macaroni or pasta of choice
- 3 tbsp butter
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- ⅓ cup honey
- 2 tbsp soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp cayenne optional, for heat
- Fresh parsley for garnish
- Salt & pepper to taste
Cook the pasta: Boil macaroni until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Cook the chicken: In a skillet, melt butter, add chicken, season with salt, pepper, and paprika. Cook until golden brown.
Make the honey garlic sauce: Add garlic to skillet, sauté until fragrant. Stir in honey and soy sauce, simmer until chicken is coated and sticky.
Make the cheese sauce: In a separate pot, warm milk and cream, then stir in cheddar and mozzarella until melted.
Combine: Toss pasta into the cheese sauce, then fold in honey garlic butter chicken.
Optional bake: Transfer to casserole dish, top with extra cheese, bake at 375°F for 15 minutes until bubbly.
Secret Tips for the Perfect Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Mac & Cheese
1. Use freshly shredded cheese for maximum creaminess: Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting. Shred your own cheddar and mozzarella for that silky, gooey texture every great mac and cheese deserves. This step makes your cheesy baked comfort food extra indulgent.
2. Balance the honey garlic sauce: To get that perfect sweet-and-savory flavor, combine honey, garlic, soy sauce, and butter in the right proportions. Too much honey can make it overly sweet — you want just enough to complement the richness of the creamy pasta and juicy chicken.
3. Sear your chicken before baking: Browning your chicken pieces first locks in juices and adds a beautiful caramelized flavor that enhances the overall taste. Juicy golden chicken pairs perfectly with the buttery, garlicky cheese sauce in this honey garlic butter chicken mac and cheese.
4. Layer flavors, not just ingredients: When assembling the bake, mix some sauce directly into the cooked pasta before layering it with cheese and chicken. This ensures every bite of mac and cheese with chicken is coated in that luscious honey garlic butter sauce instead of just the top layer.
5. Don’t overbake: Bake just until the cheese topping is golden and bubbly. Overbaking can make the pasta dry. Keep it moist and creamy — that’s what makes this comfort food so irresistible.
6. Add texture with a crispy topping: For a finishing touch, sprinkle a mix of breadcrumbs and Parmesan before baking. It creates a crunchy, buttery crust that contrasts beautifully with the soft, creamy layers underneath.
7. Rest before serving: Let the mac and cheese sit for 5 minutes after removing it from the oven. This allows the sauce to thicken slightly and cling to the pasta perfectly, giving you that rich, spoonful-of-heaven moment in every bite.Keyword baked honey garlic chicken mac and cheese casserole, best sides for honey garlic butter chicken mac and cheese, cheesy honey garlic chicken mac and cheese meal prep, creamy honey garlic chicken mac and cheese skillet, easy honey garlic butter chicken mac and cheese dinner, healthy honey garlic butter chicken mac and cheese, high protein honey garlic chicken mac and cheese, honey garlic butter chicken mac and cheese recipe, one pan garlic butter chicken mac and cheese, stovetop honey garlic chicken mac and cheese recipe
