High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Mac and Cheese

Ingredients

• 800 g raw chicken breast (Cut into cubes)
• 1.5 tsp salt (For the chicken)
• 1 tsp black pepper (For the chicken)
• 1 tsp chilli flakes (For the chicken; leave out if you do not want it spicy)
• 1.5 tsp garlic powder (For the chicken)
• 1.5 tsp onion powder (For the chicken)
• 1.5 tsp paprika (For the chicken; regular or smoked paprika)
• 2 tsp olive oil (For seasoning the chicken)
• 30 g light butter (For cooking the chicken, plus extra once cooked; the extra amount is not specified)
• 2 tsp minced garlic (For the chicken)
• 30 g honey (The source notes 15 g honey per batch of chicken)
• fresh parsley (A handful, chopped)
• 1 tbsp minced garlic (For the macaroni and cheese sauce)
• 300 ml skimmed milk
• 160 g light cream cheese (Philadelphia brand specified)
• 1 tsp salt (For the sauce; or to taste)
• 0.5 tsp black pepper (For the sauce)
• 1 tsp smoked paprika (For the sauce)
• 0.5 tsp nutmeg (For the sauce)
• 100 g low-fat cheddar cheese (Any available low-fat cheese may be used)
• 220 g macaroni pasta (Uncooked weight; or use any pasta of your choice)

Steps

1. 1

   Cut the chicken breast into cubes. Season it with salt, black pepper, chilli flakes, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Add the olive oil and mix until the chicken’s color changes and the seasoning is distributed.

2. 2

   Heat a pan over medium heat and add the light butter for cooking. Let it melt, then add the chicken in batches if needed so the pan is not overcrowded.

3. 3

   Cook the chicken for 4–5 minutes on the first side until it develops a golden-brown crust. Turn it and cook the other side for a further 3–4 minutes; the video text also describes cooking for about 4–5 minutes per side until golden and crispy.

4. 4

   Lower the heat completely. Add the extra light butter, minced garlic, and honey to the chicken. Mix until the chicken is well coated and sticky.

5. 5

   Add the chopped fresh parsley, mix it through, then set the chicken aside.

6. 6

   Cook the macaroni according to its package directions, then drain it. The source specifies cooked macaroni but does not give the cooking directions.

7. 7

   Using the residue butter in the chicken pan, cook the tablespoon of minced garlic over medium-low heat for 2 minutes, until fragrant.

8. 8

   Add the skimmed milk, light cream cheese, salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and nutmeg. Stir until the sauce is completely smooth.

9. 9

   Lower the heat before adding the low-fat cheddar cheese. Stir over low heat until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens and becomes creamy.

10. 10

    Add the cooked macaroni and mix until it is evenly coated and creamy.

11. 11

    Serve the macaroni and cheese with the honey-garlic chicken and enjoy.

Notes

The source states four servings and lists 597 calories, 59 g protein, 52 g carbohydrates, and 16 g fat per serving. The amount of extra butter is not specified. The source does not specify how the cooked chicken is arranged with the macaroni for serving or give a separate pasta-cooking method.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• high-protein
• meal prep
• chicken
• pasta
• comfort food
• stovetop