Creamy Honey Pepper Chicken Mac & Cheese Recipe

That first hiss from the cooker tells you something good is happening. You feel that valve hiss and your heart kinda skips a beat cause you know the pressure build is doing its job. That sound means the chicken and pasta are getting perfectly tender pull inside that pot. Its a small thing but heck, it makes kitchen time feel special.

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You notice the smell too as everything starts mingling together in there. Creamy cheese, sweet honey, tangy pineapple and lemon juice all getting cozy with garlic and spices. The air fills up with this promise that dinners about to hit the spot. You recall how hard it is to get those flavors exactly right without the pressure cooker speeding things along.

Its that patience you save that makes you appreciate the natural release after the timer dings. Youre gonna love how the food pulls apart tender and the flavors are bang on. You just know this recipes gonna be a household fave since its easy but tastes like you slaved over it all day.

What Makes Pressure Cooking Win Every Round

• Speed up your cook time without losing flavor or texture
• Get that chicken strips tender pull but still crispy outside
• One pot cooking means fewer dishes to scrub later
• Pressure build locks in all those sweet and savory juices
• Quick release gets dinner on the table fast when youre hungry
• Natural release keeps pasta and cheese creamy not mushy

What Goes Into the Pot Today

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• 16 ounces spiral pasta, pre-cooked and ready to go
• 25 ounces breaded chicken strips, baked or air fried nice and crispy
• 5 slices bacon cooked crispy then crumbled for smoky crunch
• Salt and black pepper to your taste buds delight
• Handful of fresh basil leaves to sprinkle as a fresh garnish
• ¾ cup honey for that sticky sweet glaze
• ¼ cup light brown sugar to deepen the sweetness
• 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce for umami goodness
• ¼ cup pineapple juice mixing in tropical tang
• Juice of 1 lemon plus 1 tablespoon vinegar adding zing and balance
• A little kick from 1 teaspoon black pepper and ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter melting into creamy richness
• 2 cups heavy cream for super smooth sauce
• ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese to bring sharp depth
• 1 cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese for melty pull
• ¾ cup freshly shredded Colby Jack cheese for that classic mac and cheese vibe
• 2-3 cloves minced garlic to punch up the flavor

Your Complete Cooking Timeline

First, you gotta cook up that spiral pasta by the package instructions. You dont want it mushy so make sure to drain it well and set it aside.

Then bake or air fry those breaded chicken strips till theyre golden and crispy. Once cool enough to handle, slice them into strips so they sit just right on your mac and cheese.

Next, in a small saucepan on medium heat, stir together honey, brown sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice, and lemon juice. Let it simmer a few minutes until its thick and sticky but not burnt. Then pull it off the heat so it waits for the big mix.

Grab a big bowl or pot and toss your cooked pasta with crumbled bacon. Add half the honey sauce and stir gently so everything gets some sweet love. Season with salt and pepper to your liking. This part is where you really get the flavors bonded.

Now plate up the pasta bowls, pile on your sliced chicken strips, and dribble the rest of that honey sauce over the top. Dont be shy, heck, go nuts with the sauce!

Finally sprinkle fresh basil if youre feelin fancy and serve it all warm. Y are set for a meal that hits all those sweet and savory notes without fuss.

Quick Tricks That Save Your Time

• Use pre-cooked or frozen chicken strips from your fave brand to skip baking step
• Grab store-bought spiral pasta that cooks super fast or use quick-cook pasta
• Make the honey sauce ahead and keep it in the fridge to just pour when dinners ready

Your First Taste After the Wait

The first bite is like an explosion of creamy, cheesy comfort. You sense that buttery heavy cream wrapped around the pasta with melty mozzarella and sharp Parmesan.

Then you hit a little crunch from the bacon and crispy chicken on top, sweetened just right by that honey glaze. Its the kinda combo that keeps you going back for more spoonfuls.

The pineapple and lemon juice add a fresh tang that cuts through the richness so it dont feel too heavy on your stomach. Its balanced but still rich enough to feel like a hug in a bowl.

Each flavor shines but they all work together. Garlic and cayenne pepper hide in the background teasing your taste buds with tiny bursts of heat and savoriness.

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Smart Storage That Actually Works

• Cool leftovers completely before putting in airtight containers to keep food fresh longer
• Store in the fridge for up to 3 days and heat gently on low in a skillet or microwave so cheese stays smooth not rubbery
• Freeze portions in freezer-safe containers if you want to save extras for a quick future meal. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating

The FAQ Section You Actually Need

• Can I skip the bacon? Totally, its just extra smoky crunch but you can leave it out or swap for sauteded mushrooms.
• Do I have to air fry the chicken strips? Nope, baking works great or even pan-frying if you wanna get crispy edges quickly.
• How do I avoid mushy pasta? Cook your pasta a minute or two less than package says before draining and pressure cooking so it holds shape.
• Can I make this dairy free? You can try substituting with coconut cream and a plant-based cheese but texture will change a bit.
• Whats the best way to store leftovers? Cool completely then fridge in airtight containers. Reheat softly to keep creamy texture.
• Any tips for spicy tweaks? Add more cayenne or a pinch of red chili flakes to the honey sauce for an extra kick.

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Applebee’s Mac And Cheese Honey Chicken Recipe Copycat

This creamy mac and cheese dish takes comfort to the next level with crispy honey-glazed chicken, smoky bacon, tangy pineapple and lemon juice—all brought together in one dreamy, cheesy bowl.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Cuisine Mediterranean

Servings 4 people

Calories 920 kcal

Equipment

• 1 Mixing bowl Large

Ingredients

  

Main ingredients

• 16 oz spiral pasta pre-cooked
• 25 oz breaded chicken strips baked or air fried
• 5 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 handful fresh basil leaves for garnish
• ¾ cup honey
• ¼ cup light brown sugar
• 3 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
• ¼ cup pineapple juice
• 1 lemon (juice) plus 1 tablespoon vinegar
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 stick unsalted butter (½ cup)
• 2 cups heavy cream
• ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
• ¾ cup freshly shredded Colby Jack cheese
• 2-3 cloves garlic minced

Instructions

 

Instructions

• Cook the spiral pasta al dente, drain well, and set aside.
• Air fry or bake the chicken strips until golden and crispy, then slice.
• Prepare honey sauce: mix honey, brown sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice, lemon juice, black pepper, cayenne, and vinegar in a saucepan, simmer until thickened.
• Melt butter in large skillet, stir in cream, add cheeses gradually until smooth. Stir in garlic, season with salt and pepper.
• Toss pasta with cheese sauce and crumbled bacon until coated.
• Toss sliced chicken in remaining honey pepper sauce until coated.
• Serve mac and cheese topped with glazed chicken, garnish with basil.

Notes

Cool completely before storing in airtight containers. Refrigerate up to 3 days or freeze in portions. Reheat gently to maintain creaminess.