Ingredients
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 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 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 tablespoon oil or butter for frying
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/3 cup hot honey
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Boil salted water in a large pot, add elbow macaroni, and cook until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute before gradually adding milk until smooth. Cook until thickened.
- Stir in shredded cheddar and mozzarella until melted; season with salt and pepper.
- Fold cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce until well coated.
- Season chicken thighs with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and fry chicken for 4–5 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Brush hot honey over the cooked chicken while warm.
- Pour mac and cheese into a baking dish, place glazed chicken on top, and bake for 10–12 minutes until bubbling.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking/Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 760mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 33g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: For added texture, consider topping with crispy breadcrumbs before baking. Customize by adding vegetables like broccoli or spinach to the mac and cheese. Adjust the heat level of the hot honey based on personal preference.
