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Delicious Spicy Honey Chicken with Mac and Cheese

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This recipe combines two beloved classics into one unforgettable meal. Crispy, oven-baked chicken glazed with a sticky, sweet, and spicy honey sauce sits atop a bed of luxuriously creamy, three-cheese macaroni. It’s the ultimate comfort food with a kick, perfect for weeknight dinners or impressing guests. The balance of flavors and textures—crunchy, tender, spicy, sweet, and creamy—is simply irresistible.

  • Total Time: 1
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 1.5 lbs (680g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust for heat)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 cup neutral oil (like canola or vegetable), for frying

Instructions

  1. Marinate: Place the chicken chunks in a bowl with the buttermilk. Ensure all pieces are coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes (or up to 4 hours for maximum tenderness).
  2. Dredge: In a separate shallow dish, whisk together the flour, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cayenne, salt, and black pepper. Remove a piece of chicken from the buttermilk, letting excess drip off, and dredge it thoroughly in the flour mixture. Shake off any excess and place on a wire rack. Repeat with all chicken pieces. Tip: Letting the dredged chicken sit on the rack for 5-10 minutes helps the coating adhere better during cooking.
  3. Cook: Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot (a sprinkle of flour should sizzle), add chicken in a single layer, working in batches to avoid overcrowding. Cook for 4-5 minutes per side, until golden brown, crispy, and cooked through. Transfer to a clean wire rack set over a baking sheet. Total cook time for chicken: ~15-20 minutes (with batches).

Notes

For extra crispy chicken, let the floured pieces rest on a wire rack for 10 minutes before frying. Ensure oil is hot (around 350°F/175°C) before adding chicken to prevent greasiness. The spicy honey glaze can be adjusted by adding more cayenne to the flour or a pinch of chili flakes to the honey. For the mac and cheese, shred your own cheese from a block for a smoother sauce. Reserve some pasta water to thin the cheese sauce if it becomes too thick.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 323
  • Sugar: 9
  • Sodium: 484
  • Fat: 21
  • Saturated Fat: 7
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15
  • Trans Fat: 0
  • Carbohydrates: 28
  • Fiber: 3
  • Protein: 5
  • Cholesterol: 10

Find it online: https://www.buenosairesrunway.com/delicious-spicy-honey-chicken-with-mac-and-cheese/