If you’ve been searching for the perfect weeknight dinner that doesn’t skimp on flavor or nutrition, look no further than this High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese. You’ll be bowled over by the sweet-and-savory chicken, the luscious garlic butter glaze, and the impossibly creamy, protein-packed mac and cheese. It’s the kind of meal that wows everyone at the table, but comes together with surprising ease. The chicken is juicy, the sauce is finger-licking, and the pasta is so satisfying you’ll want seconds (and maybe thirds). Trust me: this is comfort food with a high-protein twist you’ll be making again and again.

High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The best part about this High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese is that the ingredients are simple, yet each one plays a crucial role in building rich flavor, satisfying texture, and beautiful color. Grab these pantry and fridge staples, and you’re well on your way to a stellar dinner!

Chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless pieces keep things lean yet juicy, and they soak up all that amazing sauce.
Olive oil: For searing the chicken to golden perfection and adding heart-healthy fat.
Butter: Provides the silkiness for both the savory chicken glaze and the creamy mac & cheese base.
Garlic cloves (minced): Fresh garlic brightens the sauce with robust aroma and depth.
Honey: Adds natural sweetness and helps the sauce caramelize into a glorious glaze.
Low-sodium soy sauce: Brings umami punch plus just the right amount of saltiness.
Apple cider vinegar: A dash of tang to balance out the honey’s sweetness perfectly.
Black pepper: For a little background heat and earthiness in both the chicken and pasta.
Chili flakes (optional): A pinch gives the sauce a gentle kick (completely up to your spice level!).
Fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish): Adds fresh color and a pop of herbal flavor over the finished dish.
High-protein pasta (such as chickpea or lentil): This is the key to boosting both nutrition and texture in your mac & cheese.
All-purpose flour: Helps thicken your cheese sauce for a classic, velvety finish.
Skim milk: Keeps your sauce creamy without the extra calories of whole milk or cream.
Unflavored whey protein powder (optional): The magic ingredient for even more protein without affecting flavor.
Reduced-fat cheddar cheese (shredded): Melts beautifully while delivering that iconic cheddar flavor.
Part-skim mozzarella cheese (shredded): For stringy, gooey, lighter cheese pulls in every forkful.
Mustard powder: Rounds out the cheese sauce with gentle sharpness and depth.
Salt: Balances flavors in both the pasta and cheese sauce.
Black pepper: A little extra bite in the cheese sauce goes a long way.

How to Make High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese

Step 1: Season and Sear the Chicken

Start by generously seasoning the chicken breasts with black pepper on both sides. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add your chicken. Sear each piece for about 5 to 6 minutes per side until they’re deeply golden and cooked through—the internal temperature should reach 165°F. Remove the chicken and set aside; this step builds the foundation for those juicy, flavor-packed bites in your High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese.

Step 2: Prepare the Honey Garlic Butter Sauce

In the same skillet (don’t clean it—those golden bits are pure flavor!), melt the butter over medium heat. Add in your minced garlic and let it sizzle for about a minute, just until fragrant and softened. Stir in the honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, and chili flakes if you want that little extra kick. Let the sauce simmer for 3 to 4 minutes, whisking occasionally, until it thickens slightly and turns wonderfully glossy.

Step 3: Glaze the Chicken

Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the bubbling sauce. Spoon the honey garlic butter all over the chicken, making sure every piece gets lacquering in that gorgeous, shiny glaze. Let them simmer together for a minute or two—this step helps the chicken soak up even more flavor while staying irresistibly moist.

Step 4: Cook the High-Protein Pasta

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook your high-protein pasta according to the package instructions until al dente (usually about 7 to 9 minutes). Drain well and set aside; this pasta gives your mac & cheese true staying power while keeping things light and nutritious as part of this High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese.

Step 5: Make the Cheese Sauce

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter, then sprinkle in the flour. Whisk constantly for about a minute to make a smooth roux; this simple step is the secret to lump-free, velvety cheese sauce. Gradually pour in the skim milk, whisking all the while, and bring it to a gentle simmer. If you’re upping the protein, whisk in the unflavored whey protein powder now. Once smooth, stir in both cheeses, the mustard powder, salt, and black pepper. Keep stirring just until the cheese melts into a thick, dreamy sauce.

Step 6: Combine and Serve

Add the drained pasta into the finished cheese sauce, stirring well until every piece is coated in silky, cheesy goodness. To serve, arrange a glazed chicken breast on each plate with a generous mound of high-protein mac & cheese alongside. Spoon any extra honey garlic sauce from the skillet over the chicken for even more flavor. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and dig in—this is High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese at its finest!

How to Serve High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese

Garnishes

Don’t underestimate the power of a good garnish! Freshly chopped parsley not only adds a pop of color but also lends a fresh, herby note that brightens the rich flavors of this High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese. For extra flair, a light sprinkle of chili flakes or a grate of lemon zest over the top works beautifully too.

Side Dishes

While this dish is truly a showstopper on its own, you can round out the meal with sides like roasted broccoli, crisp green beans, or a simply dressed side salad. Steamed peas or lightly sautéed spinach tuck in extra veggies and balance the comforting richness of your High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese.

Creative Ways to Present

You can pile the mac & cheese into a bowl with sliced chicken artfully fanned over the top, or serve as a two-part plate for those who like to keep their flavors distinct. For gatherings, set everything up family-style so everyone can help themselves to as much sauce and cheesy pasta as they desire—you can even set out extra garnishes for that personal touch!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Transfer any leftover High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese to airtight containers once cooled. Store the chicken and mac & cheese separately if possible; that way, the pasta stays creamy and the chicken keeps its glaze. They’ll both keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days—perfect for easy lunches!

Freezing

Both components of this dish freeze nicely if you want to meal prep for a busy week. Let the chicken and mac & cheese cool completely, then package them in freezer-safe containers or bags. The chicken can be frozen for up to 2 months, as can the mac & cheese—just know that cheese sauces can sometimes separate slightly after freezing, but a good stir upon reheating brings them right back together.

Reheating

To reheat, warm the chicken gently in a skillet with a splash of water or extra sauce until hot and juicy. For the mac & cheese, add a tablespoon or two of skim milk before reheating in the microwave or on the stove over low heat. This keeps it creamy and stops the sauce from drying out. If you froze the meal, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for best results.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs will stay just as juicy and work wonderfully with the sweet and savory honey garlic butter sauce. You may just need to adjust the cook time slightly, as thighs can take a little longer to reach 165°F.

What’s the best type Main Course

You have a lot of tasty options! Chickpea and lentil pasta are great for extra protein and fiber, but you could also use high-protein wheat pasta or even black bean pasta. Just make sure to follow the package instructions for cooking times.

Do I have to add protein powder to the cheese sauce?

Not at all! The whey protein powder is entirely optional and won’t affect the flavor, but it’s a super easy way to boost the protein count if you want to. If you skip it, your mac & cheese will still turn out beautifully creamy.

Can I make this gluten-free?

Yes, you can! Just use your favorite gluten-free high-protein pasta and sub a gluten-free all-purpose flour for the cheese sauce roux. Double-check your soy sauce as well—tamari is a great gluten-free substitute.

How do I add more veggies to the dish?

Feel free to stir steamed broccoli, peas, or even sautéed spinach into the mac & cheese just before serving. You can also add a quick side salad or roasted vegetables to round out your High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese.

Final Thoughts

I can’t wait for you to dig into this High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese! It’s comforting, deeply flavorful, and packed with protein to keep you energized. Don’t be surprised if this becomes your new favorite go-to—give it a try soon and watch everyone fall in love at first bite.

High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese Recipe

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4.9 from 21 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in this deliciously satisfying High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken served with a side of creamy, protein-packed Mac & Cheese. A flavorful and nutritious meal that’s sure to become a family favorite!

Ingredients

Scale

For Honey Garlic Butter Chicken:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 garlic cloves (minced)
¼ cup honey
3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)

For High-Protein Mac & Cheese:

8 ounces high-protein pasta (such as chickpea or lentil pasta)
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 ½ cups skim milk
1 scoop unflavored whey protein powder (optional)
1 cup reduced-fat cheddar cheese (shredded)
½ cup part-skim mozzarella cheese (shredded)
½ teaspoon mustard powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

Season chicken: Season chicken with black pepper.
Cook chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet, cook chicken until golden and cooked through. Set aside.
Prepare sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter, add garlic, honey, soy sauce, and vinegar. Simmer until thickened.
Combine: Return chicken to skillet, coat with sauce. Cook pasta, prepare cheese sauce, and combine with cooked pasta.
Serve: Serve chicken with mac & cheese, garnish with parsley.