High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken (Print-Friendly Version)

Juicy chicken meets creamy mac and cheese, blended with honey garlic butter for a savory, protein-rich dish.

# Ingredients List:

→ Protein Preparation

01 - 3 chicken breasts, cut into 2 cm cubes
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 4 garlic cloves, minced
04 - 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
05 - 2 teaspoons garlic powder
06 - 1 teaspoon dried parsley
07 - 2 teaspoons salt
08 - 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper

→ Sauté and Finishing

09 - 3 tablespoons avocado oil
10 - 2 tablespoons butter
11 - 1 tablespoon honey
12 - 2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley

→ Cheese Sauce

13 - 2 cups heavy cream
14 - 0.5 cup freshly grated mozzarella cheese
15 - 0.5 cup freshly grated cheddar cheese

→ Pasta

16 - 340 grams elbow macaroni, cooked al dente

# How to Make It:

01 - In a large bowl, combine cubed chicken with olive oil, minced garlic, smoked paprika, garlic powder, dried parsley, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly and allow to marinate for 10 minutes.
02 - Heat avocado oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add marinated chicken and sauté for 10 to 15 minutes until fully cooked and golden.
03 - Stir butter, honey, and fresh parsley into the cooked chicken. Mix well to coat evenly.
04 - In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté additional minced garlic until fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream, bringing to a gentle simmer.
05 - Gradually add mozzarella and cheddar cheese to the cream, stirring continuously until the sauce is smooth and fully combined.
06 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water to halt further cooking.
07 - Fold cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce. Simmer on low heat for 5 minutes, ensuring the pasta is well coated and the sauce thickens.

# Extra Tips:

01 - For optimal flavor, use freshly grated cheese instead of pre-shredded varieties.