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Hot Honey Chicken Mac N Cheese

Creamy baked mac and cheese topped with crispy fried chicken and drizzled with spicy-sweet hot honey — a restaurant-style indulgence with soul food flair.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 6 bowls
Course: Comfort Food, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Southern
Calories: 780
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cheese Sauce
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 3 tbsp flour
  • 3 cups milk warm
  • 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 0.5 cup cream cheese
  • 0.5 tsp garlic powder
  • 0.5 tsp onion powder
  • salt and pepper to taste
Pasta
  • 1 lb elbow macaroni or cavatappi
Fried Chicken
  • 1 lb chicken thighs cut bite-size
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 tsp hot sauce
  • 1 cup flour
  • 0.5 cup cornstarch
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 0.5 tsp cayenne pepper
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • oil for frying
Hot Honey Drizzle
  • 0.5 cup honey
  • 2 tsp chili flakes
  • 1 tsp apple cider vinegar

Equipment

  • Saucepan
  • Mixing bowls
  • Skillet or fryer
  • Whisk
  • Baking dish

Method
 

  1. Marinate chicken in buttermilk and hot sauce for at least 1 hour.
  2. Cook pasta until al dente and set aside.
  3. Make cheese sauce with butter, flour, milk, and cheeses until smooth and creamy.
  4. Coat chicken in seasoned flour mix and fry until golden.
  5. Warm honey with chili flakes and vinegar to create hot honey drizzle.
  6. Combine pasta and sauce, top with chicken, drizzle hot honey, and serve.

Notes

Serve immediately for best crisp texture. Adjust honey heat level to preference.