The Best Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese Delight

If you’ve ever found yourself torn between craving something sweet, savory, cheesy and crispy—girl, same. That’s exactly why this Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese Delight is about to rock your weeknight dinner rotation. It’s everything you love in one bowl: tender honey-glazed chicken, smoky bacon, and dreamy, gooey mac and cheese that wraps around every bite like a warm hug from your favorite sweatshirt.

Whether you’re a busy mom feeding a crew or just need a pick-me-up dinner after a long day, this dish is a love letter to comfort food. Bonus? It gives total copycat honey pepper chicken mac and cheese vibes—yes, like that one from the restaurant you low-key stalk on DoorDash.

Why You’ll Love This Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese Delight

Let’s break it down. This dish is:

• Sweet and spicy (hello, honey and cayenne!).
• Creamy and cheesy beyond belief.
• Packed with protein thanks to crispy chicken and bacon.
• And ready to impress even the pickiest eater in your house.

Plus, it’s got that Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese Delight feel that hits all the right notes—like comfort food karaoke, but way more delicious.

What You’ll Need For : Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese Delight

Main Ingredients:

• 1 (16 oz) box spiral noodles
• 1 (25 oz) bag breaded chicken strips, cooked and crispy
• 5 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

Honey Pepper Sauce:

• ¾ cup honey
• ¼ cup light brown sugar
• 3 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
• ¼ cup pineapple juice
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 tbsp vinegar
• 1 tsp black pepper
• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper

Creamy Cheese Sauce:

• 1 stick butter
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup shredded Parmesan
• 1 cup shredded Mozzarella
• ¾ cup shredded Colby Jack

Let’s Cook : Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese Delight

Step 1: Get That Pasta Boiling

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Toss in the spiral noodles and cook until al dente—about 9 minutes. Drain, rinse if you want slightly less starch, and set aside.

Step 2: Make the Honey Pepper Magic

In a saucepan over medium heat, whisk together the honey, brown sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice, lemon juice, vinegar, black pepper, and cayenne. Let it simmer for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally until it thickens slightly into a glaze. Warning: your kitchen will smell amazing. Try not to taste-test half of it before it’s done.

Step 3: Bake or Air Fry Your Chicken

If your breaded chicken isn’t already cooked, now’s the time. Bake it until golden and crispy (follow the package), or air fry for that extra crunch. Once done, toss the strips in your honey pepper glaze like they’re living their best life at a chicken spa.

Step 4: Bacon Time

Cook up that bacon until crispy and crumble it up. Hide a couple pieces if your kids (or husband) tend to “sample” before dinner’s ready. You know who you are.

Step 5: The Creamy Cheese Dream

Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant—just a minute. Stir in the heavy cream and let it warm up. Now slowly stir in your cheeses: Parmesan, Mozzarella, and Colby Jack. Stir until melty and smooth, then season with a pinch of salt if needed.

Step 6: Mix It All Together

Add the cooked noodles into your cheese sauce and stir gently until every twisty noodle is coated in that rich, creamy goodness. Then fold in the bacon.

Step 7: Top It Like You Mean It

Serve generous scoops of mac and cheese into bowls, and top with the glazed chicken strips. Drizzle with a little extra sauce if you’ve got it—don’t waste a drop!

Cooking Tips for Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese Delight

• Shortcut queen? Use pre-cooked chicken to cut down on time. No shame in the freezer game.
• Cheese swap tip: Don’t have Colby Jack? Cheddar works just fine. This recipe is flexible, not fussy.
• Make it spicy: Add an extra pinch of cayenne if you’re into heat (I see you, spice lovers).
• Leftovers idea: Reheat with a splash of milk to bring the creaminess back to life.

A Little Story From My Kitchen

This Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese Delight became an unexpected superstar at my house after one of those “what do I even make tonight?” moments. I had leftover chicken strips, some pasta, and that infamous sweet sauce I made once for grilled chicken. One bite in, and my kids were hooked. Now it’s our go-to for cozy Saturdays or anytime someone says, “can we just have something good for dinner?”

FAQs About Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese Delight

Conclusion

This Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese Delight is more than just a mouthful—it’s a meal that hugs you from the inside out. It brings together everything we love in one bowl: cheesy comfort, crispy chicken, and a sweet-savory glaze that’s downright addictive. The best part? You don’t need a culinary degree (or even a long grocery list) to pull this off.

So go ahead—grab that fork and dig into your next favorite comfort food classic. You deserve it.

Happy cooking,
Aneta 🐔💛

More Chicken Comforts You’ll Love

If this Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese Delight hit the spot, here are a few more recipes from Chicken Magic that’ll keep those cozy, comfort-food vibes going strong:

• 🍗 Texas Roadhouse Herb Crusted Chicken Recipe: For those craving bold flavors and crispy herb crusts, this restaurant-style chicken brings big taste to the table.
• 🧄 Sweet and Smoky Garlic Bacon Chicken: If you loved the bacon-honey combo in this mac and cheese, this one takes it to the next level with savory garlic and crispy bites of joy.
• 🌮 Pull-Apart Chicken Tacos: A fun, cheesy, hands-on meal perfect for game night or feeding a hungry crowd.
• 🍲 Creamy Tuscan Chicken Soup: Packed with garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach in a velvety broth—like a warm blanket in a bowl.

Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese Delight

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• Author: Aneta
• Total Time: 40 mins
• Yield: 6 servings 1x

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Description

Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese Delight is the ultimate comfort food fusion—sweet, spicy glazed chicken meets rich, cheesy pasta for a crave-worthy meal.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Pasta & Chicken:

• 1 (16 oz) box spiral noodles

• 1 (25 oz) bag breaded chicken strips, cooked

• 5 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

For the Honey Pepper Sauce:

• ¾ cup honey

• ¼ cup light brown sugar

• 3 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce

• ¼ cup pineapple juice

• Juice of 1 lemon

• 1 tbsp vinegar

• 1 tsp black pepper

• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper

For the Cheese Sauce:

• 1 stick butter

• 2 cups heavy cream

• 2–3 cloves garlic, minced

• ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese

• 1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese

• ¾ cup shredded Colby Jack cheese

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Instructions

1. Boil the Pasta: Cook spiral noodles in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.

2. Prepare the Honey Pepper Sauce: In a saucepan, whisk together honey, brown sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice, lemon juice, vinegar, black pepper, and cayenne. Simmer over medium heat for 5–7 minutes until slightly thickened.

3. Cook the Chicken: If not already cooked, bake or air-fry the chicken strips until crispy. Then toss them in the honey pepper sauce until well coated.

4. Crisp the Bacon: Cook the bacon until crispy, then crumble and set aside.

5. Make the Cheese Sauce: In a large pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Sauté the garlic until fragrant. Add the heavy cream, then stir in the Parmesan, Mozzarella, and Colby Jack cheeses until melted and smooth.

6. Combine: Stir the cooked noodles and bacon into the cheese sauce until fully coated.

7. Serve: Plate the mac and cheese, top with glazed chicken, and drizzle with any remaining sauce. Enjoy!

Notes

Want to lighten it up? Swap breaded chicken for grilled.
Add extra cayenne if you like more heat!
Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheat with a splash of milk to bring back creaminess.

• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 25 mins
• Category: Lunch
• Method: stovetop , Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 890 Kcal
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 980 mg
• Fat: 52 g
• Saturated Fat: 22 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 26 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 64 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 155 mg