Description
Sizzling honey garlic butter chicken meets creamy mac & cheese in this irresistible comfort meal. Rich flavors and protein-packed goodness will have you craving seconds at your dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs (680 g) chicken thighs or breasts, boneless and skinless
- 2 tbsps unsalted butter
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tbsps low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (optional)
- ½ tsp chili flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 8 oz (226 g) high-protein pasta (chickpea or lentil)
- 1.5 cups unsweetened milk (dairy or high-protein plant)
- 1.5 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 scoop unflavored protein powder (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Seasoning Prep: Thoroughly coat chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both surfaces for robust flavor enhancement.
- Chicken Searing: Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium flame, then carefully place chicken and cook until achieving a golden-brown exterior and ensuring complete internal doneness, approximately 6-7 minutes per side.
- Aromatic Foundation: Reduce heat and introduce butter with minced garlic, gently sautéing until releasing a fragrant essence, about 1 minute.
- Sauce Development: Incorporate honey, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar into the skillet, allowing the mixture to gently simmer and thicken, creating a luscious glaze with concentrated flavors.
- Final Glazing: Reintroduce seared chicken into the skillet, delicately coating each piece with the honey-garlic sauce, permitting the proteins to absorb the rich, complex flavors and develop a glossy, caramelized exterior.
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F internally for safe consumption, preventing overcooking and maintaining juicy texture.
- Watch sauce carefully while simmering; if it becomes too thick, add a splash of water or chicken broth to maintain ideal glossy coating.
- Sauté garlic on low heat and remove immediately when fragrant to avoid burning, which creates bitter taste.
- Choose raw honey for deeper flavor and better caramelization, creating richer glaze that sticks beautifully to chicken.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 100mg