Are you tired of searching for exciting healthy dinner recipes protein options that don't taste like cardboard? If you're looking for a meal that's both deeply satisfying and packed with nutrients, you've found it. This high protein honey garlic chicken with creamy mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food fusion. It’s a game-changer for your weekly meal prep, combining tender, sweet-and-savory chicken with a velvety, rich cheese sauce that will have you counting down the minutes to lunch. Say goodbye to boring dinners and hello to a dish that delivers on flavor, comfort, and nutrition.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Perfectly Balanced: You get the best of both worlds—a decadent, cheesy pasta dish and a lean protein powerhouse, all in one bowl.
- Meal Prep Champion: This recipe is designed to hold up beautifully. It makes four perfectly portioned meals that taste just as good on day four as they do on day one.
- Quick & Easy: With straightforward steps and common ingredients, you can have this incredible meal ready in under 45 minutes.
- Irresistibly Delicious: The sticky, savory honey garlic glaze on the chicken perfectly cuts through the richness of the creamy three-cheese sauce. It's a flavor combination you won't forget.
Ingredients You'll Need
Here’s what you need to gather to create this masterpiece.
For the High Protein Honey Garlic Chicken
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: Cut into bite-sized 1-inch cubes for quick and even cooking.
- Olive Oil: To help the marinade stick and get a beautiful sear on the chicken.
- Fresh Garlic: Minced. This is for the marinade and adds a pungent, aromatic base.
- Butter: Unsalted is best, to melt into the glaze at the end for a rich, glossy finish.
- Honey: The star of the glaze, providing that signature sweetness.
- Spices: Smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper are all you need to create a deeply flavorful chicken marinade.
- Fresh Parsley: Finely chopped, to add a pop of color and fresh flavor to the final glaze.
For the Creamy Mac & Cheese
- Elbow Macaroni: The classic pasta shape for mac and cheese, perfect for catching all that cheesy sauce.
- Butter & Garlic: Used to deglaze the pan after cooking the chicken, creating an incredible flavor foundation for the sauce.
- Heavy Cream: The secret to an ultra-rich and velvety cheese sauce.
- Shredded Cheeses: A blend of sharp cheddar and low-moisture mozzarella gives you the perfect combination of sharp flavor and epic cheese pull.
- Spices: A touch more smoked paprika and garlic powder to tie the flavors of the whole dish together.
Step-by-Step Instructions
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Marinate the Chicken: In a medium bowl, toss the cubed chicken with olive oil, minced garlic, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well to ensure every piece is coated. Let it sit for at least 10 minutes to absorb the flavors while you get your other ingredients ready.
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Cook the Chicken to Perfection: Heat a large skillet or pan over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through.
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Create the Honey Garlic Glaze: Reduce the heat to low. Add the butter and honey to the skillet with the chicken. Stir continuously as the butter melts, creating a luscious glaze that coats every piece. Sprinkle in the chopped parsley, stir once more, and then remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
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Craft the Cheese Sauce: In the same skillet (don't wipe it out!), melt a little more butter over medium heat. Add the remaining minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Pour in the heavy cream and bring it to a gentle simmer, scraping up any delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
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Melt the Cheeses: Reduce the heat to low and stir in the shredded mozzarella and cheddar, along with the smoked paprika and garlic powder. Continue stirring until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
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Combine and Serve: While you make the sauce, cook the elbow macaroni according to the package directions until al dente. Drain it well and add it directly to the cheese sauce in the skillet. Stir to combine, letting it simmer for a few minutes. Serve the mac and cheese warm, topped with a generous portion of the honey garlic chicken.
Tips for Success
Grate Your Own Cheese
For the smoothest, creamiest mac and cheese, buy blocks of cheddar and mozzarella and grate them yourself. Pre-shredded cheeses are often coated in anti-caking agents that can make your sauce gritty.
Don't Overcook the Pasta
Cook your macaroni just until it's al dente (firm to the bite). It will continue to cook slightly when you add it to the hot cheese sauce. Rinsing it briefly under cold water can help stop the cooking process immediately.
Reheating Like a Pro
When reheating leftovers, the mac and cheese can tighten up. Simply add a splash of milk or cream when you warm it up (on the stovetop or in the microwave) and stir to bring back its original creamy glory.
Variations and Customizations
This recipe is a fantastic base for creativity. Try these additions to make it your own:
- Protein Swaps: Not feeling chicken? This honey garlic glaze is also incredible on cubed turkey breast. For a smoky, savory twist reminiscent of rustic recipes, try swapping the chicken for sliced and grilled sausage.
- Veggie Boost: Stir in a few handfuls of fresh baby spinach at the end until you have wilted spinach, or mix in steamed broccoli florets. For an autumnal twist, fold in cubes of tender roasted butternut squash. You can even use frozen spinach—just be sure to thaw it and squeeze out all the excess water first.
- Flavor Twists: For a Mediterranean flair, crumble in some feta cheese for a delicious spinach and feta combination. For a salty, crunchy topping, fry up some prosciutto or salami from your favorite Italian deli until crisp and sprinkle it over the top.
- Pasta Alternatives: This cheese sauce is phenomenal with more than just macaroni. Try it with shells, penne, or even pillowy Gnocchi Pasta for an extra-decadent meal. It's one of our favorite easy pasta recipes for a reason!
Storage and Meal Prep
Store leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the chicken and mac and cheese separately for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
A Perfect Addition to Your Healthy Dinner Recipes Protein Rotation
Finding reliable healthy dinner recipes protein options that the whole family will eat can be a challenge. This dish bridges the gap between a healthy, protein-forward meal and the ultimate comfort food, making it a guaranteed winner for weeknight dinners and planned-out meal preps. Enjoy
Ultimate High Protein Hooney Garlic Chicken and Mac & Cheese
Ingredients
For the Honey Garlic Chicken
- 1.5 lbs chicken breast boneless, skinless, and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley finely chopped
For the Creamy Mac & Cheese
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese freshly grated
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese freshly grated
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Marinate the chicken by combining the cubed chicken breast, olive oil, 2 cloves of minced garlic, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Toss until the chicken is evenly coated and set aside to marinate for at least 10 minutes.
- Cook the macaroni in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta well and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process, then set aside.
- Sauté the chicken in a large skillet over medium-high heat, cooking for 10-15 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking.
- Create the honey garlic glaze by reducing the heat to low and adding 2 tablespoons of butter and the honey to the skillet with the chicken. Stir until the butter is melted and the chicken is coated in the glossy sauce. Stir in the chopped fresh parsley and transfer the chicken to a separate plate.
- Start the cheese sauce in the same skillet over medium heat. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, allowing it to melt and deglaze the pan. Sauté the remaining 2 cloves of minced garlic for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Whisk in the heavy cream, bringing it to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low and gradually stir in the grated cheddar and mozzarella cheeses. Continue stirring until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Season with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon of smoked paprika, plus salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce, stirring gently to coat every piece. Allow it to simmer for 2-3 minutes for the flavors to meld together perfectly.
- Serve the creamy mac and cheese immediately, topped with the high protein hooney garlic chicken. Alternatively, divide the dish into four airtight containers for convenient meal prep.
Equipment
- Large Skillet
- Cutting Board
- Measuring Cups & Spoons
