Honey Garlic Butter Chicken (Print-Friendly)

Juicy chicken with honey-garlic glaze paired with creamy, cheesy macaroni for the ultimate protein-packed comfort meal.

# Ingredients:

→ 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 - 340g (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:

01 - In a large bowl, combine the cubed chicken with olive oil, garlic, smoked paprika, garlic powder, parsley, salt, and black pepper. Let it marinate for 10 minutes while you prepare 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 the heat to low and stir in the butter, honey, and chopped parsley. Let it melt and coat the chicken, then set aside.
03 - In the same skillet, add butter to deglaze the pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes until golden and fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream and let it gently bubble.
04 - Stir in the mozzarella, cheddar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until smooth and creamy.
05 - Boil 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 and let it simmer on low for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
07 - Enjoy warm or divide into four airtight containers for meal prep.

# Notes:

01 - This high-protein dish combines honey garlic butter chicken with creamy mac and cheese for a balanced comfort meal that's perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep.