High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese
Tender chicken in sweet honey garlic butter sauce paired with creamy mac and cheese. High protein comfort food ready in under 30 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet, Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz each)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 4 tablespoons butter, divided
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
- 8 oz elbow macaroni
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt (optional for extra protein)
Instructions
- Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through to 165°F. Remove and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium and melt 2 tablespoons butter in the same skillet. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add honey, soy sauce, and remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Stir until butter melts and sauce combines.
- Return chicken to skillet and coat with honey garlic butter sauce. Cook for 1-2 minutes, turning once. Garnish with parsley.
- Cook macaroni according to package directions in salted boiling water (about 1 tablespoon salt). Drain and set aside.
- In the same pot, melt 1 tablespoon butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute.
- Gradually whisk in milk until smooth. Cook, stirring constantly, for about 5 minutes until sauce thickens.
- Remove from heat and stir in cheddar and mozzarella cheeses until melted. Stir in Greek yogurt if using.
- Add cooked macaroni to cheese sauce and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Serve chicken alongside mac and cheese.
Notes
- Pound chicken breasts to even thickness for uniform cooking. Use freshly shredded cheese for creamiest mac and cheese.
- For lower carb version, serve chicken with cauliflower mash instead of mac and cheese. Greek yogurt adds extra protein to the mac and cheese.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (1 chicken breast + half the mac and cheese)
- Calories: 785 kcal
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 890 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 19 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 62 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 42 g
- Cholesterol: 195 mg