Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese Delight (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ For the Mac and Cheese

01 - 2 cups elbow macaroni
02 - 2 tablespoons butter
03 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
04 - 2 cups whole milk
05 - 1 cup heavy cream
06 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
07 - 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
08 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
09 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
10 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ For the Honey Pepper Chicken

11 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
12 - 1 cup buttermilk
13 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
14 - 1 teaspoon paprika
15 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
16 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
17 - Vegetable oil for frying

→ For the Honey Pepper Glaze

18 - 1/3 cup honey
19 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
20 - 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
21 - 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

# Instructions:

01 - Soak your chicken pieces in buttermilk for at least 20 minutes. This helps tenderize the meat and gives it extra flavor.
02 - While the chicken soaks, mix the flour, paprika, salt, and black pepper in a shallow bowl. This is what will give your chicken its crispy exterior.
03 - Heat about 1/2 inch of vegetable oil in a large pan. Take each piece of chicken from the buttermilk, let excess drip off, then coat in the flour mixture. Fry until golden and crispy, about 4-5 minutes per side. Transfer to paper towels to drain.
04 - In a small saucepan, mix the honey, soy sauce, cracked black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Warm over low heat for 2-3 minutes until it's smooth and slightly thickened. Toss your fried chicken pieces in this glaze until well coated.
05 - Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook your macaroni according to the package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
06 - In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Sprinkle in the flour and whisk constantly for 1-2 minutes to make a roux. Gradually pour in the milk and cream, whisking to prevent lumps. Cook until it starts to thicken.
07 - Reduce the heat to low and add the cheddar and mozzarella cheeses. Stir until completely melted and smooth. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
08 - Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until well combined. Spoon this creamy mac and cheese into bowls and top with your honey pepper glazed chicken pieces. Serve hot!

# Notes:

01 - For a spicier dish, add more red pepper flakes to the honey glaze.
02 - You can substitute the cheddar with any favorite melting cheese like Gouda or Gruyere.
03 - For a lighter version, use milk instead of heavy cream in the mac and cheese.
04 - This dish reheats well the next day - just add a splash of milk when warming the mac and cheese.

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