The Best Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese Recipe

As an Amazon Associate BakingBakewareSets.com earns from qualifying purchases.

Are you searching for the ultimate comfort food mashup that hits every single note—sweet, spicy, savory, and unbelievably creamy? You’ve scrolled through endless photos of decadent pasta, but you’re looking for something truly special, a dish that’s more than just a meal, but an entire experience. It’s the craving for a restaurant-quality dinner that you can actually create in your own kitchen, one that will have everyone asking for the recipe.

You’re tired of standard weeknight dinners and want to create something memorable. You want the crispy, juicy satisfaction of perfectly cooked chicken combined with the nostalgic embrace of rich, cheesy macaroni. The challenge is finding a recipe that balances these powerful flavors without one overpowering the others, and a cheese sauce that is genuinely creamy, not gritty or broken.

This Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese recipe combines crispy breaded chicken tossed in a sweet and spicy honey pepper sauce, served over an ultra-creamy four-cheese macaroni. It’s the ultimate comfort food delight that’s better and more affordable than the restaurant version. After several test batches, we’ve perfected the balance of sweet, spice, and creaminess to create a truly unforgettable dish that delivers on every single craving.

Craving the Ultimate Comfort Food Mashup?

This incredible recipe is the perfect fusion of two beloved comfort food classics: crispy honey pepper chicken and rich, velvety macaroni and cheese. Imagine tender, juicy chicken with a crunchy coating, all tossed in a glossy sauce that’s the perfect balance of sweet honey and zesty black pepper. Now, picture that served over a bed of spiral noodles swimming in a luscious, homemade four-cheese sauce, all topped with savory, crumbled bacon. This isn’t just dinner; it’s an event. It’s the homemade, copycat Applebee’s mac and cheese you’ve been dreaming of, elevated to a whole new level of deliciousness.

Why This Recipe is an Absolute Must-Try

This dish stands out because it delivers a complex and satisfying experience with every single bite. We’ve meticulously designed this recipe to ensure it’s not just good, but absolutely unforgettable. It’s the perfect family-favorite dinner that feels special enough for an occasion but is easy enough to bring together when a comfort food craving strikes.

  • A Symphony of Flavors: You get the deep sweetness from honey, a vibrant kick from black and cayenne pepper, the savory saltiness of bacon, and the rich, tangy depth of four different cheeses all working in perfect harmony.
  • Irresistible Textures: The contrast is what makes this dish so addictive. The truly crispy, juicy chicken is the perfect counterpoint to the velvety, smooth, and utterly creamy cheese sauce coating every spiral noodle.
  • Restaurant Quality at Home: Why go out when you can create this stunning, better-than-the-restaurant copycat Applebee’s recipe right in your own kitchen? We give you all the tips to get that signature flavor you love.
  • Totally Customizable: This recipe is your canvas. We’ll show you how to easily adjust the spice level, swap in different cheeses, or even use grilled chicken to make this dish perfectly your own.

The Ultimate Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese Recipe (Updated for 2025)

This recipe delivers a complete, restaurant-quality meal by breaking down the process into three manageable components: the Crispy Honey Pepper Chicken, the Ultimate Creamy Four-Cheese Sauce, and the final assembly. By tackling each part step-by-step, you’ll create a cohesive and show-stopping dish with ease. This master recipe brings together all the elements for the perfect sweet, spicy, and creamy pasta experience.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 6-8

1. For the Crispy Honey Pepper Chicken

Honey-Pepper-Chicken-Strips-Glossy-Sauce-Pan-Crispy-Texture-Ingredients

The heart of this dish is the perfectly cooked chicken coated in a thick, glossy, sweet and spicy sauce. We start with crispy chicken tenders and toss them in a homemade honey pepper sauce that’s incredibly easy to make. The combination of sweet honey, savory soy sauce, and a kick of pepper creates a flavor that’s truly addictive.

Ingredients:

  • 1 (25 oz) bag breaded chicken strips (frozen)
  • ¾ cup honey
  • ¼ cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
  • ¼ cup pineapple juice
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions:

  1. Cook the Chicken: Cook the breaded chicken strips according to the package directions. Baking, air frying, or deep frying all work well. The goal is golden brown and extra crispy. Once cooked, set the chicken aside on a wire rack to ensure it stays crispy.
  2. Combine Sauce Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, whisk together the honey, brown sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice, lemon juice, white vinegar, black pepper, and cayenne pepper until well combined.
  3. Simmer & Thicken: Bring the sauce mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat. Once it boils, immediately reduce the heat to a simmer. Let it cook for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sauce will thicken slightly and become glossy. Note: It will continue to thicken significantly as it cools.
  4. Coat the Chicken: Let the sauce cool for a few minutes. In a large bowl, gently toss the crispy chicken strips with the warm honey pepper sauce until every piece is fully coated.

Pro-Tip: For the absolute crispiest chicken, we highly recommend using an air fryer set to 400°F. If you’re baking, elevate the chicken on a wire rack placed inside a baking sheet. This allows hot air to circulate all around the chicken, preventing a soggy bottom and ensuring maximum crunch.

Save this sauce recipe for wings and stir-fries!

2. For the Ultimate Creamy Four-Cheese Sauce & Pasta

Creamy-Melted-Cheese-Sauce-Wooden-Spoon-Parmesan-Colby-Jack-Noodles

The secret to an unforgettable mac and cheese is a velvety, lump-free cheese sauce made with freshly shredded cheese and heavy cream. This four-cheese blend of salty Parmesan, gooey mozzarella, and mild Colby Jack creates a perfectly balanced and incredibly rich sauce that clings to every curve of the spiral pasta.

Ingredients:

  • 16 ounces spiral noodles (or cavatappi)
  • 5 slices bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled
  • 1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter
  • 2-3 cloves minced garlic
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • ½ cup freshly shredded Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ¾ cup freshly shredded Colby Jack cheese
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
READ ALSO :  11 Easy Dump And Go Crockpot Meals For Busy Nights

Instructions:

  1. Cook Pasta: In a large pot of heavily salted boiling water, cook the spiral noodles until al dente (firm to the bite) according to package directions. Drain the pasta well and set it aside.
  2. Sauté Garlic: In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for just 30-60 seconds, stirring constantly, until it becomes fragrant. Be careful not to let it brown.
  3. Add Cream: Pour in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Stir occasionally and watch closely to ensure it does not come to a full boil.
  4. Melt the Cheeses: Reduce the heat to low. Add the shredded Parmesan, mozzarella, and Colby Jack cheeses to the pot one handful at a time. Stir constantly and patiently until each addition is completely melted before adding the next. This ensures the sauce stays smooth and velvety.
  5. Season: Once all the cheese is melted and the sauce is perfectly smooth, remove it from the heat. Season with salt and pepper to your personal taste.

Lesson Learned: The absolute key to a creamy, non-grainy cheese sauce is using freshly shredded cheese from a block. Pre-shredded bagged cheeses are coated with anti-caking agents like potato starch, which prevent the cheese from melting smoothly and can result in a gritty texture. Additionally, always keep the heat low when melting the cheese. Boiling the sauce can cause it to break or separate.

Pin this creamy cheese sauce for your next pasta night!

3. Assembling Your Masterpiece

Honey-Pepper-Chicken-Mac-And-Cheese-Bowl-Glossy-Chicken-Bacon-Basil

The final step is to bring all the delicious components together into one spectacular dish. This is where the magic happens, combining the creamy pasta, savory bacon, and sweet and spicy chicken into a meal that looks as incredible as it tastes.

Ingredients:

  • Cooked Spiral Pasta
  • Warm Creamy Four-Cheese Sauce
  • Coated Honey Pepper Chicken
  • Crumbled Bacon
  • Optional: Freshly chopped basil for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Pour the warm cheese sauce over the drained pasta in the large pot. Stir gently but thoroughly until every single noodle is generously coated in creamy goodness.
  2. Mix in Bacon: Stir in about two-thirds of the crumbled bacon, reserving the rest for a garnish on top.
  3. Plate the Mac: Spoon a generous portion of the creamy bacon mac and cheese into individual bowls or onto plates.
  4. Top with Chicken: Arrange several pieces of the glossy honey pepper chicken directly on top of the mac and cheese.
  5. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the dish with the remaining crumbled bacon and some freshly chopped basil, if you’re using it. Serve immediately while it’s hot, cheesy, and bubbly for the best experience.

https://www.lemon8-app.com/@marmarcleveland216/7446023807120294442?region=us

Pro-Tip: For a beautiful family-style presentation, transfer all of the prepared mac and cheese into a large, shallow serving dish or casserole pan. Arrange all of the honey pepper chicken over the top, then garnish with the bacon and basil. It makes a stunning centerpiece for the dinner table that invites everyone to dig in.

Share a photo of your creation and tag us!

Key Takeaways: Your Quick Guide to Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese Delight

To ensure your dish is a runaway success, remember these four essential tips. They are the difference between a good mac and cheese and a great one.

  • Shred Your Own Cheese: For the smoothest, creamiest sauce imaginable, always buy blocks of cheese and shred them yourself. It’s the single most important step for a velvety texture.
  • Don’t Overcook the Sauces: Gentle heat is your best friend. The honey pepper sauce will thicken as it cools, so don’t reduce it too much on the stove. Boiling the cheese sauce can make it separate and grainy.
  • Keep Chicken Crispy: Cook your chicken until it’s very crispy. To prevent it from getting soggy, toss it with the sauce right before you are ready to assemble and serve.
  • Serve Immediately: This dish is at its absolute peak when served fresh, hot, and bubbly. The contrast between the hot, creamy pasta and the warm, crispy chicken is what makes it so special.

People Also Ask About Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese Delight

Here are answers to some common questions to help you perfect this sweet and spicy comfort food classic.

What is the key to creamy macaroni and cheese?

The key to ultra-creamy mac and cheese is twofold: use a combination of good melting cheeses (like mozzarella and Colby Jack) that you shred yourself, and create a smooth base with butter and heavy cream over low heat. Avoid boiling the sauce and stay away from pre-shredded cheeses, as both can lead to a grainy or separated texture.

Can you have chicken with mac and cheese?

Absolutely! Chicken and mac and cheese are a classic comfort food pairing. The savory flavor of chicken, especially when it’s crispy and coated in a dynamic sweet and spicy sauce like this honey pepper version, perfectly complements the rich, creamy pasta. It elevates mac and cheese from a simple side dish into a complete, deeply satisfying meal.

How do I store and reheat leftovers?

To store leftovers, place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For the best results when reheating, warm the mac and cheese gently in a saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of milk or cream to loosen the sauce and restore its creamy consistency. It’s best to reheat the chicken separately in an air fryer or oven for a few minutes to help it crisp up again before serving.

What are some good variations for this recipe?

This recipe is a great starting point for creativity. For a spicier kick, add a finely diced jalapeño to the cheese sauce or increase the cayenne pepper in the honey pepper sauce. You can use grilled chicken for a lighter, smokier option or experiment with different cheeses like smoked Gouda or sharp cheddar for a bolder flavor. For extra depth, try adding a dash of smoked paprika or garlic powder to the honey pepper sauce.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese is more than just a recipe; it’s an experience. It’s the perfect answer for a cozy night in, a celebratory family dinner, or any moment that calls for a serious dose of delicious comfort. The incredible combination of sweet, spicy, savory, and creamy is guaranteed to impress. We know it will become a new and frequently requested favorite in your home. What will be the first occasion you make this for? Let us know in the comments below

Share your love
Richard
Richard

Richard Charpentier is the CEO of Baking Innovation, a leading provider of baking solutions. He has over 20 years of experience in the baking industry and has been a driving force behind the company's success.

🍰 Get Exclusive Discounts on Kitchenware Sets! 🍰

Join 10,000+ passionate bakers who are already taking advantage of our exclusive offers and limited-time discounts. 🎉 👇