Sweet Spicy Chicken Mac (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ Main Ingredients
01 -
5 slices of crispy bacon, crumbled
02 -
Fresh basil leaves for topping
03 -
Seasonings: a pinch of salt and pepper
04 -
16 oz of spiral pasta
05 -
25 oz of breaded chicken tenders
→ Honey Pepper Sauce
06 -
1 tbsp vinegar
07 -
1/4 tsp of cayenne
08 -
Juice from one lemon
09 -
3/4 cup honey
10 -
1/4 cup pineapple juice
11 -
1/4 cup light brown sugar
12 -
3 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
13 -
1 tsp ground black pepper
→ Cheese Sauce
14 -
A single stick of butter
15 -
2 cups heavy whipping cream
16 -
1 cup freshly grated mozzarella
17 -
1/2 cup finely shredded parmesan
18 -
3/4 cup shredded colby jack cheese
19 -
2 or 3 garlic cloves, minced
# Instructions:
01 -
Heat up the breaded tenders following the package directions—bake or fry as needed. Set them aside when done.
02 -
Cook the spiral pasta based on the directions on the box. Drain the water and put the pasta to the side.
03 -
Put honey, soy sauce, brown sugar, pineapple juice, lemon juice, vinegar, cayenne, and black pepper into a saucepan. Let it boil, then simmer for 15 minutes. Cool it for a little bit.
04 -
Warm up butter in a pan. Stir in heavy cream slowly, mix in all the shredded cheeses, then add the minced garlic. Sprinkle in salt and pepper if needed.
05 -
Stir in the bacon crumbles and cooked pasta with the cheesy sauce until they're all combined.
06 -
Coat the cooked tenders thoroughly in the honey pepper sauce.
07 -
Scoop the cheesy pasta onto plates, place the honey-glazed chicken strips on top, and scatter some fresh basil or extra bacon if you'd like.
# Notes:
01 -
Swap out regular pasta for gluten-free options and use gluten-free breaded chicken pieces to make this gluten-free.