Hot Honey Chicken Mac N Cheese (Print-Friendly Version)

Modern comfort food comes alive with this easy hot honey chicken mac n cheese. Bold flavors and weekday-friendly prep make it perfect for fast dinners—one to keep handy.

# Ingredients You’ll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 2 cups elbow macaroni

→ Cheese Sauce

02 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
03 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
04 - 2 cups whole milk
05 - 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
06 - 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
07 - Salt, to taste
08 - Black pepper, to taste

→ Chicken

09 - 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs
10 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
11 - 1 teaspoon paprika
12 - Salt, to taste
13 - Black pepper, to taste
14 - 1 tablespoon oil or butter

→ Hot Honey Glaze & Garnish

15 - 1/3 cup hot honey
16 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

# How to Make It:

01 - Set oven temperature to 375°F (190°C) for baking.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook until just al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
03 - Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually incorporate milk, whisking until smooth. Continue cooking until sauce thickens. Add shredded sharp cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, whisking until completely melted. Season with salt and black pepper to your taste.
04 - Fold drained macaroni into the cheese sauce until pasta is evenly coated.
05 - Pat chicken thighs dry and season both sides with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
06 - Heat oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken thighs and sear for 4–5 minutes per side, until cooked through and golden brown.
07 - Brush or spoon hot honey over the cooked chicken while still warm for even coverage.
08 - Spread macaroni and cheese evenly into a baking dish. Arrange glazed chicken thighs on top of the pasta.
09 - Place dish in oven and bake for 10–12 minutes, until the top is bubbling and lightly golden.
10 - Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.

# Extra Suggestions:

01 - Allow cheese sauce to thicken before adding the pasta for optimal texture.
02 - Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

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