Honey Garlic Butter Chicken and Mac and Cheese

Name: Honey Garlic Butter Chicken and Mac and Cheese
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1.5 lbs chicken breast, cubed; 8 cloves garlic, minced and divided; 1 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 2 tsp garlic powder, divided; 2 tsp paprika, divided; 1 tsp dried parsley; 1 tbsp olive oil; 4 tbsp butter, divided; 2 tbsp honey; 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped and divided; 1.5 cups heavy cream; 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese; 1 lb macaroni pasta, cooked al dente

This one-pan honey garlic butter chicken and mac and cheese combines tender, caramelized chicken with creamy pasta in a single dish. It's a high-protein, budget-friendly meal that comes together quickly and stores well for meal prep.

🌍American 🏷️Meal prep 🏷️Honey garlic chicken 🏷️Mac and cheese 🏷️One pan meal Chicken

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🏷️Pasta

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TikTok

Total

30 min

Servings

4

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$26–$43

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok

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TikTok

Ingredients

1.5 lbs chicken breast, cubed
8 cloves garlic, minced and divided
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 tsp garlic powder, divided
2 tsp paprika, divided
1 tsp dried parsley
1 tbsp olive oil
4 tbsp butter, divided
2 tbsp honey
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped and divided
1.5 cups heavy cream
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 lb macaroni pasta, cooked al dente

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Instructions

1
In a bowl, combine the cubed chicken breast with half of the minced garlic (about 4 cloves), salt, black pepper, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp paprika, and dried parsley. Mix until the chicken is evenly coated.
2
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and cook until browned on all sides.
3
Add 2 tbsp of butter, the honey, and about half of the fresh parsley to the skillet. Stir to combine and cook until the chicken is cooked through and coated in a glossy sauce.
4
Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
5
In the same skillet, melt the remaining 2 tbsp of butter over medium heat. Add the remaining minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
6
Pour in the heavy cream, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring to a simmer, then add the shredded cheddar cheese and stir until melted and the sauce is smooth.
7
Season the sauce with the remaining 1 tsp of garlic powder and 1 tsp of paprika. Stir to combine.
8
Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir until the pasta is fully coated.
9
Stir in the remaining fresh parsley. Serve the mac and cheese with the honey garlic butter chicken. Portion into meal prep containers if desired.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Cube chicken to uniform 1-inch pieces for even cooking; thinner pieces cook faster and stay tender.
Toast minced garlic in butter for 30-45 seconds before adding chicken to bloom the flavor and prevent scorching.
Add honey in the last 2 minutes of cooking chicken to prevent burning; it caramelizes quickly at high heat.
Stir mac frequently once combined to prevent sticking and ensure even coating of the sauce.

Substitutions

Chicken breast → chicken thighs (cook 2-3 minutes longer)
Butter → ghee or olive oil (1:1, slightly less rich flavor)
Honey → maple syrup or brown sugar (1:1 ratio)
Dried parsley → fresh parsley or chives (use 1 tbsp fresh, add at end)

Storage & make-ahead

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 4 days. Reheat on stovetop over medium heat with a splash of milk to restore creaminess; microwave reheats faster but may dry out slightly.

Common Questions

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breast?

Yes. Dark meat will cook slightly longer and stay juicier; add 2-3 minutes to the cooking time.

How do I prevent the mac from getting mushy?

Cook pasta 1-2 minutes under al dente before combining. The residual heat will finish cooking it without overcooking.

Is this recipe freezer-friendly?

Yes. Cool completely, transfer to an airtight container, and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and reheat gently on stovetop with a splash of milk.