High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese is my answer to those evenings when you want real comfort food that also fuels your body right. The sweet-savory glaze on tender chicken paired with rich, creamy mac & cheese hits all the right notes without leaving you sluggish.
I started making this combination years ago when my kids were playing sports and needed hearty dinners that delivered energy for practice the next day. The aroma of butter and garlic sizzling in the pan would draw everyone into the kitchen, and they’d watch as I drizzled honey over the golden chicken, creating that beautiful glossy coating. The mac & cheese bubbling on the back burner added its own creamy comfort to the mix. It became our Tuesday night tradition easy enough for a weeknight, special enough to feel like a treat. Time to get cooking!
Why This Dinner Belongs in Your Recipe Box
This High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese represents everything I love about modern comfort cooking, it honors tradition while meeting today’s need for balanced nutrition.
- Delivers 38 grams of protein per serving to keep you satisfied and energized
- Comes together in just 30 minutes from start to finish on busy evenings
- Uses everyday ingredients you likely have in your kitchen right now
- Appeals to both kids and adults making dinnertime easier for everyone
- Adapts easily to dietary preferences with simple substitutions
- Creates that perfect balance of sweet honey, savory garlic, and creamy cheese
Understanding Your Ingredients
Chicken breast provides the lean protein foundation that makes this meal so satisfying. In my kitchen, I prefer boneless, skinless breasts pounded to even thickness so they cook uniformly and stay juicy.
Honey brings natural sweetness that caramelizes beautifully when it hits the hot pan, creating a glossy glaze that clings to every bite of chicken. I always choose raw honey for the best flavor complexity.
Fresh garlic delivers that aromatic punch that fills your kitchen with incredible fragrance and adds depth to the butter sauce. Minced fresh garlic outperforms jarred varieties every single time in this High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese.
Butter creates the rich, silky base for both the chicken glaze and the cheese sauce, adding luxurious mouthfeel without any artificial ingredients.
Sharp cheddar cheese melts smoothly into the pasta sauce while providing bold flavor that stands up to the sweet chicken glaze. I’ve found that freshly shredded sharp cheddar creates the creamiest sauce.
Elbow macaroni offers the classic shape that holds cheese sauce perfectly in every spoonful, and its quick cooking time keeps this meal weeknight-friendly.
Whole milk builds the creamy foundation for the cheese sauce, I prefer whole milk over lower-fat options because it creates that velvety texture we’re after.
The Method That Works
Step 1. Season your chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper on both sides. Betty always starts with proper seasoning because it’s your first opportunity to build flavor into the dish.
Step 2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear the chicken for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through to 165°F. I’ve learned that resisting the urge to move the chicken while it sears creates that beautiful golden crust.
Step 3. Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and keep it warm on a plate while you make the sauce. Through trial and error, I discovered that resting the chicken keeps it juicy.
Step 4. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and melt butter, then add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute, watch carefully so it doesn’t burn.
Step 5. Stir honey and a pinch of salt into the garlic butter, letting it simmer and thicken slightly for 2-3 minutes. The key I discovered is letting this bubble gently to concentrate the flavors.
Step 6. While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook the elbow macaroni according to package directions until al dente, then drain well.
Step 7. In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium heat and whisk in flour to create a roux, cooking for 1 minute. Slowly add milk while whisking continuously until the sauce is smooth and thickened, about 5 minutes.
Step 8. Remove the cheese sauce from heat and stir in shredded cheddar until completely melted and creamy. My family prefers when I add the cheese off-heat because it prevents the sauce from becoming grainy.
Step 9. Toss the cooked macaroni in the cheese sauce until every piece is coated. Return the chicken to the honey garlic butter sauce to coat it completely in that glossy glaze.
Step 10. Plate the High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese by serving the mac & cheese as a base with sliced chicken on top, then garnish with fresh parsley or chives.
Making the Most of Leftovers
I typically store the chicken and mac & cheese in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator, where they’ll keep beautifully for up to three days. Storing them separately prevents the mac & cheese from absorbing moisture from the chicken.
For longer storage, both components freeze well for up to two months in freezer-safe containers. Betty’s freezing method involves portioning individual servings so you can thaw exactly what you need for quick lunches or dinners.
For the best texture, I reheat the chicken gently in a skillet over medium heat or in the oven at 325°F to avoid drying it out. The mac & cheese warms best on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of milk stirred in to restore its creamy consistency, this takes just 5 minutes and brings back that just-made quality.
Complete Your Meal
- Steamed broccoli or green beans add fresh, crisp vegetables that balance the richness of this High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese perfectly
- Simple garden salad with a light vinaigrette cuts through the creamy cheese sauce and provides refreshing contrast
- Roasted asparagus brings elegant color and a slightly nutty flavor that complements both the sweet chicken and savory pasta
- Garlic bread is always a hit with my family for soaking up any extra honey garlic sauce left on the plate
- Sautéed spinach wilts down quickly and adds iron and nutrients without competing with the main flavors
FAQs
Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work beautifully and stay even more moist, though they’ll add a bit more fat to the dish.
The best approach I’ve tested is to remove the sauce from heat before adding cheese and stir it in gradually, this prevents the proteins from seizing up.
I recommend preparing the chicken and mac & cheese separately, storing them in divided containers for easy reheating throughout the week.
High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear chicken for about 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through to 165°F. Remove from pan and keep warm.
- In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and melt 2 tablespoons butter. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in honey and a pinch of salt, simmering to thicken slightly, about 2-3 minutes, before returning chicken to coat in the sauce.
- While making the sauce, bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a separate saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour to create a roux and cook for 1 minute, then slowly add milk while whisking continuously until smooth and thickened, about 5 minutes.
- Remove cheese sauce from heat and stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy. Toss the cooked macaroni in the cheese sauce until fully coated.
- Plate the mac & cheese and top with honey garlic butter chicken. Garnish with chopped parsley or chives for a fresh finish.
