Description
Creamy mac and cheese paired with honey garlic butter chicken for a high-protein comfort meal that works for weeknights or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 chicken breasts, cubed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 tablespoons avocado oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated mozzarella
- 1/2 cup freshly grated cheddar cheese
- 12 ounces elbow macaroni, cooked al dente
Instructions
- Combine cubed chicken with olive oil, garlic, spices, parsley, salt, and pepper, then marinate for 10 minutes.
- Heat a large skillet with avocado oil and cook chicken for 10–15 minutes until fully cooked.
- Reduce heat and stir in butter, honey, and fresh parsley until chicken is coated, then set aside.
- In the same skillet, add butter and garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Pour in heavy cream and let it gently bubble.
- Stir in mozzarella, cheddar, and seasonings until smooth and creamy.
- Add cooked macaroni and simmer on low for 5 minutes.
- Fold chicken back into the mac and cheese and serve warm.
Notes
- Use freshly grated cheese for the smoothest sauce.
- Add a splash of milk or cream when reheating leftovers.
- Protein-enriched pasta can be used for higher protein.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 165mg