🍯 Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese 🧀

Treat your taste buds to a cozy night in with this sumptuous Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese. It's the perfect blend of sweet, spicy, and cheesy goodness that everyone in the family will love!

🍽️ Ingredients 🍽️

For the Cheese Sauce:
- 1 stick butter
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
- 3/4 cup freshly shredded Colby Jack cheese
- 2-3 cloves minced garlic
- Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Pasta and Chicken:
- 1 16 oz box spiral noodles
- 1 25 oz bag breaded chicken strips
- 5 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil, for garnish

For the Honey Pepper Sauce:
- 3/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup pineapple juice
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

🧑‍🍳 Directions 🧑‍🍳

1. Prepare the Chicken:
Cook the breaded chicken strips according to package instructions until golden and crispy. Set aside.

2. Cook the Noodles:
Boil the spiral noodles in a pot until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.

3. Make the Honey Pepper Sauce:
In a saucepan, combine honey, brown sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice, lemon juice, vinegar, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 15 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and let cool.

4. Prepare the Cheese Sauce:
In a skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add heavy cream and stir well. Gradually mix in Parmesan, mozzarella, and Colby Jack cheeses, stirring until fully melted. Add minced garlic and season with salt and pepper.

5. Combine Pasta and Sauce:
In a large bowl, mix the cooked noodles with the cheese sauce until well coated. Stir in the crumbled bacon.

6. Coat the Chicken:
Dip each cooked chicken strip into the honey pepper sauce, ensuring they are well coated.

7. Serve:
Plate a generous serving of the pasta mixture and top with the honey pepper chicken strips. Garnish with fresh basil and additional bacon if desired.

🍎 Nutritional Information 🍎

- Calories: 980 per serving
- Carbohydrates: 84g
- Proteins: 38g
- Fats: 58g

💡 Tips and Tricks 💡

For an extra crispy chicken, try air frying the breaded strips instead of baking or deep frying. It reduces the oil while keeping that satisfying crunch!

⏳ Preparation Time ⏳

Preparation time: 20 minutes | Cooking time: 30 minutes | Serving: 6

Dive into this creamy delight and watch it disappear before your eyes. Perfect for those evenings when you crave something heartwarming and delicious!