If you crave comfort food that’s rich, satisfying, and secretly nutritious, let me introduce you to my High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese. This is the kind of glorious weeknight dinner that brings together succulent garlicky chicken smothered in a sweet-savory butter sauce, paired with dreamy, ultra-creamy mac and cheese. The best part? It’s loaded with protein and absolutely overflowing with craveable flavors. Whether you meal prep it for the week or serve it bubbling hot for a family dinner, this dish is pure joy in every bite.

High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Everything you need for High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese can be found in a well-stocked pantry or your local grocery store. Each ingredient is chosen to enhance flavor, texture, and a little pop of color – no filler, just essentials that come together to make something irresistible.

Chicken Breasts: Choose boneless, skinless chicken breasts for lean protein and a tender bite.
Olive Oil: Adds richness to the marinade and locks in all those spices.
Garlic (fresh, minced): Delivers that deeply aromatic kick that you can’t replicate with powder alone.
Smoked Paprika: Gives everything a smoky complexity and a lovely reddish tint.
Garlic Powder: Layers in more garlicky depth, ensuring the flavor is bold in every mouthful.
Dried Parsley: Brings a hint of earthy freshness that brightens the dish.
Salt & Black Pepper: Essential for rounding out and balancing all other flavors.
Avocado Oil (or oil of choice): Perfect for high-heat cooking without burning.
Butter: The key to luscious, glossy sauce and velvety mac & cheese.
Honey: Adds a gentle sweetness that balances the garlic and elevates the sauce.
Freshly Chopped Parsley: For vibrant color and a fresh herbal finish.
Heavy Cream: Creates the ultra-creamy base for your mac & cheese.
Mozzarella & Cheddar Cheese (freshly grated): These melt beautifully, combining stretchy and sharp flavors.
Elbow Macaroni: The ideal pasta shape for holding onto all that cheesy sauce.

How to Make High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

Start by tossing your cubed chicken breasts in a bowl with olive oil, the minced garlic, smoked paprika, garlic powder, dried parsley, salt, and black pepper. Let the chicken marinate for about 10 minutes. This quick bath infuses the meat with maximum flavor, making it ultra-juicy and aromatic by the time it hits the heat.

Step 2: Cook the Chicken

Heat up that skillet over medium heat and drizzle in avocado oil (or your favorite cooking oil). Add the marinated chicken and let it sizzle, stirring occasionally so every side gets golden brown. After 10-15 minutes, drop in the butter, honey, and freshly chopped parsley. Let everything melt together, keeping the heat low so the glaze clings to the chicken and gives it a gorgeous shine.

Step 3: Make the Mac & Cheese

Without even washing your skillet, add a little more butter and allow it to melt, scraping up all the tasty browned bits. Toss in more minced garlic, letting it become fragrant and just golden – that’s your flavor foundation. Pour in the heavy cream, and let it gently bubble until slightly thickened.

Step 4: Melt the Cheese

Now, stir in both the mozzarella and cheddar along with smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Keep mixing until everything is silky smooth and looks absolutely irresistible – you want it creamy, not clumpy. That’s the sign your sauce is ready.

Step 5: Cook the Pasta

As your sauce comes together, boil the elbow macaroni just until al dente. Be sure to drain and rinse it under cold water, so it keeps that perfect texture rather than turning mushy. That little bit of bite is essential for great mac & cheese.

Step 6: Combine and Simmer

Add the cooked pasta directly into the cheese sauce and let it simmer on low for about 5 minutes. This lets the pasta soak up all those bold flavors and gives you the most luscious, cohesive mac & cheese ever. Give everything a gentle toss so that every noodle gets its fair share of cheesy goodness.

Step 7: Serve & Store

Spoon generous helpings of the High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese into bowls or meal prep containers. It’s unbelievably tempting eaten straight from the skillet, but it’s also perfect to portion out for the week. Warm, hearty, and filling every single time.

How to Serve High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese

Garnishes

A final flourish of leafy fresh parsley, a dusting of smoked paprika, or even a sprinkle of extra cheddar takes this dish from rustic to restaurant-worthy. Not only do they add a pop of color, but these garnishes also amplify those herbaceous and smoky notes already in the meal.

Side Dishes

For a well-rounded dinner, serve your High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese alongside a crisp green salad or simple sautéed veggies. Something peppery like arugula or lightly steamed broccoli helps cut through the richness and adds a burst of freshness on your plate.

Creative Ways to Present

If you want to go beyond family-style, try layering the mac & cheese in a deep serving dish, spooning the honey garlic butter chicken on top, and finishing with a dramatic swirl of sauce. Individual ramekins also bring out that “special occasion” feel, even on a weekday. A decorative drizzle of honey and extra parsley will charm just about anyone.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese holds up beautifully in the fridge! Simply divide leftovers into airtight containers, letting them cool fully before sealing. It stays fresh and tasty for up to four days—making it a lifesaver for meal-preppers and busy families alike.

Freezing

If you’re planning ahead, portion any cooled leftovers into freezer-safe bags or containers. The cheese sauce and chicken both handle freezing well. To keep things at their best, freeze for up to 2 months; just be sure to label with the date for easy grab-and-go meals.

Reheating

To bring everything back to cheesy, saucy glory, reheat individual servings in the microwave, covered, in short bursts, stirring between each, or gently warm a larger batch on the stovetop with a splash of milk or cream to refresh the sauce’s creaminess. Add a sprinkle of fresh parsley and you’re back in business.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs are juicy and flavorful, and they’ll work beautifully with this recipe. Just keep an eye on cooking time—they may need a couple of extra minutes to cook through.

What’s the best way to make this dish gluten-free?

Simply swap in your favorite gluten-free pasta for the macaroni. Everything else in the High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese is naturally gluten-free, so it’s a super easy adaptation.

Can I prep the chicken and cheese sauce ahead of time?

Yes! You can marinate and cook the chicken, as well as make the cheese sauce the night before. Store them separately in the fridge. When you’re ready, just cook the pasta and combine everything—it’s dinner in a flash!

What cheeses work best if I want to experiment?

Feel free to try pepper jack for a spicy twist, gouda for a smoky note, or a bit of parmesan for an extra sharp tang. The key to the High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese is to use cheeses that melt smoothly and complement the honey garlic flavors.

How can I add even more protein?

If you want to boost protein further, toss in some white beans or steamed broccoli with the mac & cheese, or top with a sprinkle of hemp seeds. This dish is flexible enough to fit your nutritional goals.

Final Thoughts

I hope you feel inspired to dive into High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese! There’s just something magical about the marriage of savory, garlicky chicken and indulgent cheesy pasta. If you’re ready to upgrade your comfort food game, give this recipe a try—you’ll be hooked after the very first bite.

High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese Recipe

★★★★★

5.2 from 22 reviews

Author: lilan
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in this delicious High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken paired with creamy Mac & Cheese for a satisfying and comforting meal that is perfect for any day of the week.

Instructions

Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine the cubed chicken with olive oil, garlic, smoked paprika, garlic powder, parsley, salt, and black pepper. Marinate for 10 minutes.
Cook the Chicken: Cook marinated chicken in a skillet over medium heat for 10-15 minutes. Add butter, honey, and parsley; set aside.
Make the Mac & Cheese: In the same skillet, cook garlic in butter. Add heavy cream and let it bubble. Melt in mozzarella, cheddar, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Cook the Pasta: Boil elbow macaroni, drain, and rinse.
Combine: Add pasta to cheese sauce; simmer for 5 minutes.
Serve & Store: Enjoy warm or store in airtight containers for meal prep.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Pan-Frying, Boiling, Simmering
Cuisine: American