High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese

Looking for a high protein & low budget meal prep? Look no further, this high protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese is a perfect staple for every week!

This high-protein honey garlic butter chicken paired with creamy mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort meal with a nutritious twist. Juicy, flavorful chicken meets rich, cheesy pasta for a dish that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep.

Here are some other delicious pasta options;  Creamy Tomato Garlic Pasta Recipe, Creamy Pesto Pasta & my Creamy Sausage Pasta!!

Ingredients

• Chicken Breasts
• Olive Oil
• Garlic
• Butter
• Honey
• Parsley
• Heavy Cream
• Mozzarella
• Cheddar Cheese
• Elbow Macaroni
• Spices: Smoked Paprika, Garlic Powder, & Dried Parsley

See recipe card for quantities... (scroll all the way down:)

Instructions & Video

Marinate the cubed chicken breast!

Cook the marinated chicken!

Make the pasta sauce & add in the aldente macaroni!

Put it altogether in an airtight container & have 4 meal prepped meals ready!

1. Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine the cubed chicken with olive oil, garlic, smoked paprika, garlic powder, parsley, salt, and black pepper. Let it marinate for 10 minutes while you prepare the other ingredients.
2. Cook the Chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the marinated chicken. Cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fully cooked. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the butter, honey, and chopped parsley. Let it melt and coat the chicken, then set aside.
3. Make the Mac & Cheese: In the same skillet, add butter to deglaze the pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes until golden and fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream and let it gently bubble.
4. Melt the Cheese: Stir in the mozzarella, cheddar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until smooth and creamy.
5. Cook the Pasta: Boil the elbow macaroni according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to prevent overcooking.
6. Combine: Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and let it simmer on low for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
7. Serve & Store: Enjoy warm or divide into four airtight containers for meal prep.

Scroll all the way down for the recipe card!

Substitutions

• Chicken Breasts → Chicken Thighs, Turkey Breast, or Firm Tofu
• Olive Oil → Avocado Oil, Coconut Oil, or Melted Ghee
• Garlic → Garlic Powder, Shallots, or Onion Powder
• Butter → Ghee, Coconut Oil, or Plant-Based Butter
• Honey → Maple Syrup, Agave Syrup, or Brown Sugar
• Heavy Cream → Half-and-Half, Coconut Cream, or Greek Yogurt (thinned with milk)
• Mozzarella Cheese Grated → Provolone, Monterey Jack, or Mild White Cheddar
• Cheddar Cheese, Grated → Colby Jack, Gouda, or Pepper Jack

Equipment

• Cutting Board
• Large Skillet
• Measuring Cups & Spoons

Storage

Store leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat the mac and cheese with a splash of milk to restore creaminess. For longer storage, freeze the chicken and mac separately for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating on the stove or in the microwave.

FAQs

Related

Looking for other high protein recipes like this? Try these:

Dessert Pairings

These are my favorite desserts to serve with this recipe:

High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese

5 from 6 votes

This high-protein honey garlic butter chicken paired with creamy mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort meal with a nutritious twist. Juicy, flavorful chicken meets rich, cheesy pasta for a dish that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x?

Chicken Marinade:

• 3 chicken breasts cubed
• 2 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 2 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

For Cooking the Chicken:

• 3 tablespoon avocado oil or oil of choice
• 2 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 tablespoon freshly chopped parsley

Mac & Cheese:

• 2 tablespoon butter
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 2 cups heavy cream
• ½ cup freshly grated mozzarella
• ½ cup freshly grated cheddar cheese
• 12 oz elbow macaroni cooked al dente
• 2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

Equipment

• Large Skillet
• Measuring Cups & Spoons

Method

 

1. Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine the cubed chicken with olive oil, garlic, smoked paprika, garlic powder, parsley, salt, and black pepper. Let it marinate for 10 minutes while you prepare the other ingredients.
2. Cook the Chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the marinated chicken. Cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fully cooked. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the butter, honey, and chopped parsley. Let it melt and coat the chicken, then set aside.
3. Make the Mac & Cheese: In the same skillet, add butter to deglaze the pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes until golden and fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream and let it gently bubble.
4. Melt the Cheese: Stir in the mozzarella, cheddar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until smooth and creamy.
5. Cook the Pasta: Boil the elbow macaroni according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to prevent overcooking.
6. Combine: Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and let it simmer on low for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
7. Serve & Store: Enjoy warm or divide into four airtight containers for meal prep. (Watch Video Below!)

Notes

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Food safety

• Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
• Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
• Wash hands after touching raw meat
• Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
• Never leave cooking food unattended
• Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
• Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

See more guidelines at USDA.gov.