🍯 Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese 🧀

A comforting twist to your dinner table, perfect for busy weeknights or a cozy family meal!

🍽️ Ingredients 🍽️
- 3/4 cup honey
- 1 25 ounces bag breaded chicken strips
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese (freshly shredded)
- 1 stick butter
- 1/4 cup pineapple juice
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 3 tablespoon soy sauce (low sodium)
- 1 16 ounces box spiral noodles
- 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 5 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 2-3 cloves minced garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 3/4 cup colby jack cheese (freshly shredded)
- Basil for garnish
- Salt and Pepper to taste

🧑‍🍳 Directions 🧑‍🍳
1. Prepare the chicken strips according to package instructions. You can choose to bake or fry them. Once done, set aside.
2. Boil the spiral noodles as per the package directions until al dente, then drain.
3. For the honey pepper sauce, mix together honey, brown sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice, lemon juice, vinegar, black pepper, and cayenne pepper in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then let it simmer for about 15 minutes until slightly thickened. Allow to cool slightly.
4. In another pan, melt butter over medium heat. Pour in heavy cream and gradually mix in parmesan, mozzarella, and colby jack cheeses, stirring continuously. Add minced garlic and season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Combine the cooked noodles with the cheese sauce, ensuring they are well coated. Stir in crumbled bacon for an extra layer of flavor.
6. Dip the cooked chicken strips into the honey pepper sauce, ensuring they are well coated.
7. To serve, place a portion of the cheesy noodles on a plate, top with honey pepper chicken strips, and garnish with basil leaves or more bacon if desired.

🍎 Nutritional Information 🍎
- Calories: 980 per serving
- Carbohydrates: 82g
- Protein: 55g
- Fats: 48g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Sugar: 36g

💡 Tips and Tricks 💡
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half and use low-fat cheese options.
- Add a crunchy texture by topping with breadcrumbs mixed with a little melted butter and baking in the oven for a few minutes until golden brown.

⏳ Preparation time ⏳
Preparation time: 20 minutes | Cooking time: 30 minutes | Serving: 4

Enjoy this luscious dish that brings together the sweetness of honey and the kick of pepper with the creamy goodness of mac and cheese! Perfect for those who love a little adventure in their meals.