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Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese

Copycat Applebee’s Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese

  • Author: Eliza Nooman
  • Prep Time: 15minutes
  • Cook Time: 25minutes
  • Total Time: 40minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Cuisine: American

Description

Dive into the savory delight of Copycat Applebee’s Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese, a perfect blend of creamy, cheesy pasta topped with juicy chicken and drizzled with a sweet and spicy sauce. A comfort food classic that brings the taste of Applebee’s right to your table.


Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

For the Honey Pepper Sauce

  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder

For the Mac and Cheese

  • 8 oz macaroni pasta
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp ground black pepper

Instructions

  • Bake or deep fry chicken strips according to package directions (you can also make your own), set aside.
  • Cook pasta according to package directions.
  • Meanwhile mix all your Honey Pepper sauce ingredients in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring often. Remove from heat and let cool slightly to thicken.
  • To make your cheese sauce melt your butter and cream together in a large pan.
  • Once melted add in your cheese one at a time, stirring after each addition then and garlic and stir until incorporated and everything in melted.
  • Add salt and pepper to taste.
  • Add pasta to pan with sauce and stir to combine, add in your bacon and stir until incorporated.
  • Dip each of your chicken strips into the honey pepper sauce until coated and set aside.
  • When ready to serve, dish up your pasta and top with chicken strips and sprinkle with basil and additional bacon if desired.


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4 people
  • Calories: 1037
  • Sugar: 67g
  • Sodium: 1529mg
  • Fat: 72g
  • Saturated Fat: 41g
  • Carbohydrates: 74g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 26g
  • Cholesterol: 243mg