Introduction

Hot Honey Chicken Mac N Cheese is a comforting twist on a classic favorite, combining creamy mac and cheese with spicy-sweet glazed chicken. This dish balances rich cheddar with a kick of hot honey for an irresistible flavor experience perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.

The dish shows three thick golden-brown crispy chicken strips placed on top of a creamy bed of mac and cheese. The mac and cheese curls are coated in a rich, smooth yellow cheese sauce with a gooey texture. The chicken pieces have a crunchy, slightly charred crust with small glistening spots of oil and are sprinkled with finely chopped green herbs for a fresh touch. The food is served in a black pan resting on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 cups elbow macaroni
2 tablespoons unsalted butter (for roux)
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups whole milk
1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
1 tablespoon oil or butter (for frying)
1/3 cup hot honey (or to taste)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
Step 2: In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux.
Step 3: Gradually whisk in the milk until smooth. Cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens.
Step 4: Stir in cheddar and mozzarella cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Step 5: Fold the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce until evenly coated.
Step 6: Season the chicken thighs with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Step 7: Heat oil or butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the chicken thighs for 4–5 minutes per side until cooked through and golden brown.
Step 8: While the chicken is still warm, brush or spoon the hot honey over each piece to glaze.
Step 9: Pour the mac and cheese into a baking dish and arrange the glazed chicken on top.
Step 10: Bake for 10–12 minutes, until the mac and cheese is bubbling and lightly golden.
Step 11: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired, then serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

Use smoked paprika instead of regular for a deeper, smoky flavor.
Substitute chicken breasts if preferred, but adjust cooking time accordingly.
For extra crunch, sprinkle breadcrumbs on top before baking.
Adjust the amount of hot honey depending on how spicy or sweet you like it.
Try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper to the cheese sauce for extra heat.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through to maintain a crispy chicken exterior. Microwaving is also possible but may soften the crust.

How to Serve

A close-up of a white bowl filled with creamy macaroni and cheese, showing soft, curved pasta coated in a shiny golden-yellow cheese sauce. On top, there are three thick strips of crispy, dark brown bacon with a glazed look, creating a rich texture contrast. Small green herbs are sprinkled over the cheese and bacon, adding a fresh touch of color. The bowl sits on a wooden table with a blurred green plant in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe with other types of pasta?

Yes, any short pasta like shells, rotini, or penne works well since they hold the cheese sauce nicely.

How spicy is hot honey, and can I adjust the heat?

Hot honey is sweet with a mild to moderate spicy kick. You can adjust the heat by using more or less hot honey or by adding extra chili flakes or hot sauce if you prefer it spicier.

Hot Honey Chicken Mac N Cheese Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 132 reviews

This Hot Honey Chicken Mac N Cheese recipe combines creamy, cheesy macaroni with tender, spiced chicken thighs glazed in a sweet and spicy hot honey sauce. Baked to golden perfection, it’s a comforting and flavorful dish perfect for a satisfying meal.

Author: Isabella
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Main Dish
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Macaroni and Cheese

2 cups elbow macaroni
2 tablespoons unsalted butter (for roux)
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups whole milk
1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika

Chicken

1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
1 tablespoon oil or butter (for frying)
1/3 cup hot honey (or to taste)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the assembled dish later.
Cook Macaroni: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook until just al dente, about 7–8 minutes. Drain the cooked macaroni and set aside.
Make Cheese Sauce: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Whisk in 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute to create a roux. Gradually whisk in 2 cups of whole milk until smooth, then cook the mixture until it thickens, about 4–5 minutes. Stir in 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese and 1 cup mozzarella cheese until melted. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Combine Macaroni and Cheese Sauce: Fold the cooked elbow macaroni into the cheese sauce until the pasta is evenly coated.
Season Chicken: Pat dry 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs and season them with 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon paprika, salt, and pepper to taste.
Cook Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of oil or butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the chicken thighs for 4–5 minutes per side until they are cooked through and golden brown.
Glaze Chicken: While the chicken is still warm, brush or spoon 1/3 cup of hot honey evenly over the thighs to create a spicy-sweet glaze.
Assemble and Bake: Pour the macaroni and cheese into a baking dish. Place the glazed chicken thighs on top. Bake in the preheated oven for 10–12 minutes, or until the mac and cheese is bubbling and lightly golden.
Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven, garnish with 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley if desired, and serve warm for a delicious meal.

Notes

For milder heat, reduce the amount of hot honey or use a milder variety.
Boneless skinless chicken thighs are preferred for juicy, tender meat, but chicken breasts can also be used.
Fresh parsley adds a nice color and fresh flavor but is optional.
Make sure not to overcook the pasta to avoid mushiness after baking.
You can use any shredded cheese blend, but sharp cheddar and mozzarella give the best melt and flavor balance.

Keywords: Hot honey chicken, mac and cheese, baked mac and cheese, spicy honey chicken, comfort food, cheesy pasta, dinner recipe