High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken (Printable Version)
Chicken and creamy mac & cheese combine in a hearty, high-protein dish enriched with honey, butter, and herbs.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken Marinade
01 -
3 chicken breasts, cubed
02 -
2 tablespoons olive oil
03 -
4 cloves garlic, minced
04 -
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
05 -
2 teaspoons garlic powder
06 -
1 teaspoon dried parsley
07 -
2 teaspoons salt
08 -
½ teaspoon black pepper
→ For Cooking the Chicken
09 -
3 tablespoons avocado oil (or oil of choice)
10 -
2 tablespoons butter
11 -
1 tablespoon honey
12 -
2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley
→ Mac & Cheese
13 -
2 tablespoons butter
14 -
4 cloves garlic, minced
15 -
2 cups heavy cream
16 -
½ cup freshly grated mozzarella
17 -
½ cup freshly grated cheddar cheese
18 -
12 oz elbow macaroni, cooked al dente
19 -
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
20 -
2 teaspoons garlic powder
21 -
2 teaspoons salt
22 -
½ teaspoon black pepper
# Steps to Follow:
01 -
Combine cubed chicken with olive oil, garlic, smoked paprika, garlic powder, parsley, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl. Let it marinate for 10 minutes while preparing the other ingredients.
02 -
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the marinated chicken. Cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fully cooked. Reduce heat to low, then stir in butter, honey, and chopped parsley. Let it melt and coat the chicken before setting aside.
03 -
In the same skillet, deglaze the pan with butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes until golden and fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream and let it gently bubble.
04 -
Add mozzarella, cheddar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to the cream. Stir until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
05 -
Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to prevent overcooking.
06 -
Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce in the skillet. Let it simmer on low heat for 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
07 -
Enjoy warm or divide into four airtight containers for meal prep.