Description
Crispy honey buffalo chicken bites served over ultra-creamy mac n cheese, combining bold spice with rich cheesy comfort in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound boneless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/2 cup hot sauce
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked)
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onions
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the pasta. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat for frying the chicken.
- In a bowl, toss the chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cornstarch until well coated. Cook the elbow macaroni until al dente, then drain.
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Stir in the hot sauce and honey. Simmer gently until thickened slightly.
- Fry the chicken pieces in hot oil until golden and crispy, about 3–4 minutes per side. Toss them in the honey buffalo sauce.
- In a clean saucepan, heat the milk over medium-low heat. Stir in cheddar and mozzarella cheeses until melted and smooth. Add the cooked macaroni and mix well to coat.
- Layer the cheesy macaroni into bowls or a serving dish. Top with the sauced chicken bites and sprinkle with green onions.
- Serve hot, with an optional drizzle of extra sauce or a dollop of ranch dressing on the side.
Notes
- Use freshly shredded cheese for better melt and flavor.
- Pat the chicken dry before coating for a crispier texture.
- Let the mac n cheese sit for a few minutes before serving for a thicker sauce.
- Broil the final dish for 2–3 minutes for a golden, bubbly top.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 740
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 970mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 68g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 125mg
Keywords: buffalo chicken mac n cheese, honey buffalo chicken bites, cheesy pasta, comfort food, spicy chicken and pasta