
10/08/2025
🍯 Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken with Mac & Cheese
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
2–3 chicken breasts (butterflied or pounded to even thickness)
1 cup buttermilk (or milk with 1 tsp lemon juice)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp onion powder
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
Oil for frying
For the Honey Garlic Sauce:
½ cup honey
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice)
1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp water (for thickening)
For the Mac & Cheese:
8 oz elbow macaroni (about 2 cups)
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
2 cups milk (warm)
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (plus extra for topping)
Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Prepare the Mac & Cheese
Cook pasta according to package directions, drain, and set aside.
In a saucepan, melt butter, then whisk in flour to make a roux (1–2 minutes).
Slowly whisk in warm milk until smooth and thickened.
Stir in cheddar cheese until melted. Season with salt & pepper.
Mix cheese sauce with pasta, top with extra cheese, and keep warm.
2. Prepare the Chicken
Marinate chicken in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes (up to overnight).
Mix flour, panko, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
Remove chicken from marinade, dredge in the flour mixture, pressing lightly.
Fry in hot oil (350°F / 175°C) for 4–5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Drain on paper towels.
3. Make the Honey Garlic Sauce
In a small saucepan, combine honey, garlic, soy sauce, brown sugar, and vinegar.
Bring to a simmer, then add the cornstarch slurry. Stir until thickened (1–2 minutes).
4. Assemble
Slice fried chicken into strips.
Place on top of a bed of creamy mac & cheese.
Drizzle generously with honey garlic sauce.