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Sweet and Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken

Sweet and Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken

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Sweet and Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken is the ultimate comfort meal that perfectly balances heat and sweetness. Juicy, golden-seared chicken breasts are coated in a sticky honey pepper glaze made with soy sauce, garlic, and a touch of cayenne for kick. Served alongside creamy homemade mac and cheese, this dish is rich, indulgent, and utterly satisfying — perfect for cozy nights in or special family dinners.

  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

For the Honey Pepper Chicken:

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper

For the Creamy Macaroni Cheese:

  • 8 ounces macaroni pasta
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups milk
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Chopped parsley, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook chicken for 6–7 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
  2. In the same skillet, combine honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, ground black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper. Simmer for 2–3 minutes, stirring, until slightly thickened.
  3. Slice the chicken into strips and return to the skillet, coating each piece evenly in the sticky honey pepper glaze. Set aside while preparing the mac and cheese.
  4. Cook macaroni according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  5. In a pot, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually whisk in milk until smooth and thickened (2–3 minutes).
  6. Remove from heat and stir in cheddar and mozzarella cheese until melted and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  7. Combine cooked macaroni with cheese sauce until fully coated.
  8. Serve the honey pepper chicken over the creamy macaroni cheese. Garnish with chopped parsley for freshness.

Notes

  • For extra spice, add an extra pinch of cayenne or a few chili flakes to the glaze.
  • Use leftover rotisserie chicken to cut down on cooking time.
  • Mac and cheese can be made ahead and reheated gently with a splash of milk to keep it creamy.
  • Pair with a crisp green salad to balance the richness.
  • Author: lina
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Skillet
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 780 kcal
  • Sugar: 25 g
  • Sodium: 940 mg
  • Fat: 34 g
  • Saturated Fat: 14 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 68 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 45 g
  • Cholesterol: 135 mg