Description
Indulge in the irresistible combination of tender honey pepper chicken strips atop a bed of creamy mac and cheese. This dish is a flavor-packed twist on a classic comfort food.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Spiral Noodles:
- 1 16 ounces box spiral noodles
Breaded Chicken Strips:
- 1 25 ounces bag breaded chicken strips
Bacon:
- 5 slices cooked and crumbled
Salt and Pepper:
- To taste
Basil:
- For garnish
Honey Pepper Sauce:
- 3/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup pineapple juice
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Cheese Sauce:
- 1 stick butter
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 1 cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
- 3/4 cup freshly shredded colby jack cheese
- 2–3 cloves minced garlic
- Chopped fresh basil
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Cook the chicken strips according to package instructions, then set aside.
- Cook the Noodles: Boil spiral noodles until al dente, then drain.
- Make the Honey Pepper Sauce: Combine honey, brown sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice, lemon juice, vinegar, black pepper, and cayenne in a saucepan. Simmer until slightly thickened.
- Create the Cheese Sauce: Melt butter, add cream, then gradually stir in cheeses and garlic. Season with salt and pepper.
- Combine and Serve: Mix pasta with cheese sauce and bacon. Coat chicken strips in honey pepper sauce. Plate pasta, top with chicken, and garnish with basil leaves.
Notes
- If you follow a gluten-free diet, use gluten-free pasta and breadcrumbs for this recipe to enjoy the flavors worry-free.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: Approximately 800 calories
- Sugar: Estimated 25g
- Sodium: Approximately 1200mg
- Fat: Approximately 45g
- Saturated Fat: Approximately 25g
- Unsaturated Fat: Estimated 15g
- Trans Fat: Less than 1g
- Carbohydrates: Approximately 75g
- Fiber: Approximately 3g
- Protein: Approximately 30g
- Cholesterol: Approximately 120mg
