Hot Honey Chicken Mac and Cheese

This is creamy, crunchy, sweet-and-spicy comfort food that somehow made the childhood staple mac and cheese grown-up enough to bring to a dinner party and still trash your apron. Hot Honey Chicken Mac and Cheese marries gooey cheddar, tender shredded chicken, and a hit of hot honey that makes your taste buds do the cha-cha. It’s special because it’s basically permission to eat two comfort foods at once and pretend it’s sophisticated. Try it because you deserve something that pairs well with a couch, a glass of something cold, and zero judgement.

One time my husband tried to help by chopping pineapple for a “tropical twist” and nearly gave up because the pineapple pieces started a food fight with the dog. I took over, dropped a pan (of course the loudest one), and then proudly served it while trying to hide the scorch mark on the counter. My kid announced it was “too spicy” after taking three bites and then sneaked back for thirds. The moral: never trust anyone who says “I’ll just watch this step.”

Time-Saving Hacks

– Use rotisserie chicken. I judge you a little, but I still use it. Life>boning a chicken.
– Pre-shred the cheese while binge-watching something you’ll forget the next day. Less time grating, more time pretending you’re a chef.
– Microwave the milk for 30 seconds if you’re impatient and slightly blasphemous. It works.
– If you must use multiple pans, at least stack them while they cool so the sink looks like a modern art installation.
– Make the hot honey in microwave increments if you’re short on patience: honey + chili flakes + splash of lemon, zap and stir. I won’t stop you.

Serving Ideas

– Serve with a crisp salad to feel virtuous. Add bacon if you’re lying to yourself.
– Pile on extra hot honey at the table for people who like decisions.
– Serve with wine if the kids drove you nuts today; if they didn’t, still open the wine.
– For parties, turn it into a casserole and pretend you planned it for weeks. Nobody will check the calendar.
– If you’re eating straight from the pan at 11pm, I cannot help you. I encourage you.

What to Serve It With

A simple green salad with vinaigrette, roasted veggies (broccoli loves this), or garlic bread if you believe carbs fix everything. Drinks: Riesling for balance, IPA if you want bitterness to match your life, or a cold soda if you’re nostalgic.

✔Tips & Mistakes

Tip: Salt the pasta water like the ocean — your mac will thank you.
Don’t: Overcook the pasta unless you like mushy regrets. Pull it al dente; it’ll finish cooking in the sauce.
Fix: Sauce too thin? Stir in a handful of extra cheese off-heat. Sauce too thick? Splash in milk, then give it a pep talk.
Pro tip: Reserve a cup of pasta water. It’s your emergency binder for sauce glue.
I once tried to skip browning the chicken and learned that pale chicken is still chicken, but not as proud. Brown the chicken. It’s worth the extra dish.

✔Storage Tips

Store it in the fridge… if there’s any left. Cold midnight leftovers? Sometimes better than fresh. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of milk, or in the oven covered with foil so it doesn’t get sad and crusty. Freeze in portions if you’re meal-prepping like a mythical adult.

✔Variations and Substitutions

Swap whatever you want—sugar ↔ honey, soy sauce ↔ tamari, or skip steps and call it “deconstructed.” It still counts. Try smoked gouda for smokiness, pepper jack for extra kick, or swap chicken for pulled pork if you’re having an identity crisis. Gluten-free pasta works fine — miracles do happen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hot Honey Chicken Mac and Cheese

A deliciously creamy mac and cheese with a spicy honey twist that elevates the classic comfort dish.

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Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes minutes

Servings: 6

Calories: 120kcal

Ingredients

 

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Main Ingredients

• ▢ 1.25 lb boneless chicken thighs cut into bite-sized pieces
• ▢ 8 oz elbow macaroni or any pasta of choice
• ▢ 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese for a gooey texture
• ▢ 1.5 cups milk whole or 2%
• ▢ 0.5 cup hot honey for sweetness and a kick
• ▢ 0.25 cup butter unsalted
• ▢ 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
• ▢ 0.5 tsp garlic powder
• ▢ 0.5 tsp onion powder
• ▢ 1 tsp salt adjust to taste
• ▢ 0.25 tsp black pepper freshly ground

Instructions

Preparation Steps

• Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
• In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add chicken pieces and cook until browned and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes.
• Stir in flour, garlic powder, and onion powder. Cook for 2 minutes until slightly golden.
• Slowly whisk in milk, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens, about 4-5 minutes.
• Mix in mozzarella cheese until melted and smooth. Stir in hot honey, salt, and pepper.
• Combine the cooked pasta with the cheese sauce and chicken mixture. Mix well.
• Serve warm, drizzled with extra hot honey if desired.

Notes

You can add chopped green onions or parsley to garnish for a fresh touch. Serve with a side salad.