Description
This Honey Garlic Chicken Mac and Cheese is a comforting and flavorful casserole combining creamy, cheesy macaroni with tender chicken coated in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce. Baked to bubbly perfection with a golden top, it’s an ideal dish for family dinners or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Cheese Sauce
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Chicken and Sauce
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Garnish
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the assembled dish later.
- Cook Macaroni: Boil elbow macaroni in salted water according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
- Make Roux: In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and whisk in flour until smooth, forming a roux that will thicken the sauce.
- Prepare Cheese Sauce: Slowly whisk in milk gradually, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Bring to a simmer and cook on low heat for 5-7 minutes until thickened.
- Add Seasonings and Cheese: Remove from heat, then stir in salt, black pepper, nutmeg, shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Parmesan cheeses until completely melted and smooth.
- Combine Pasta and Cheese Sauce: Gently fold the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce until evenly coated.
- Make Honey Garlic Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and minced garlic to create the flavorful sauce for the chicken.
- Prepare Cornstarch Slurry: In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with water until smooth to be used later to thicken the sauce.
- Cook Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken cubes and cook for 6-8 minutes until browned and fully cooked through.
- Add Sauce to Chicken: Pour the honey garlic mixture over the cooked chicken in the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes to let flavors combine.
- Thicken Sauce: Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook for another minute until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken.
- Assemble Dish: Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, then spread the honey garlic chicken evenly over the top.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the dish is bubbly and the top is golden brown.
- Rest: Remove from oven and allow the casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes for the flavors to settle.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped green onions over the top if desired, then serve warm.
Notes
- Ensure macaroni is cooked al dente to avoid overcooking during baking.
- Adjust honey quantity according to your preferred sweetness level.
- Use full-fat cheese for a creamier sauce; low-fat cheeses may affect texture.
- Chicken breasts can be substituted with thighs for juicier meat.
- Garnishing with green onions adds a fresh, vibrant touch but is optional.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free flour and pasta.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
