Description

This High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese is the ultimate comfort food upgrade. Juicy, seared chicken is glazed in a sticky-sweet honey garlic butter sauce and paired with a rich, creamy, protein-packed mac and cheese. It’s easy, indulgent, and perfect for meal prep or post-workout fuel.

Ingredients

For the Honey Garlic Butter Chicken:

1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces
1 tbsp olive oil
Salt and black pepper, to taste
3 tbsp unsalted butter
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/3 cup honey
1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (optional, for balance)
1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (slurry, optional for thickening)
Fresh parsley or green onion, for garnish

For the High Protein Mac & Cheese:

8 oz high-protein pasta (like chickpea, lentil, or protein-enriched wheat pasta)
1 tbsp butter
1 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups milk (regular or protein-enriched, like Fairlife or soy milk)
1 cup shredded low-fat cheddar cheese
1/4 cup grated parmesan
Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional: 1 scoop unflavored protein powder (blend into milk for extra protein)

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Instructions

Cook the chicken:
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Sear for 6–8 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
Make the honey garlic butter sauce:
In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Stir in honey, soy sauce, and vinegar. Simmer for 2–3 minutes.
(Optional: Stir in cornstarch slurry and simmer until thickened.)
Glaze the chicken:
Return cooked chicken to the pan and toss to coat in the sauce. Cook for 2–3 more minutes, then turn off the heat and keep warm.
Cook the pasta:
In a separate pot, cook the high-protein pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
Make the cheese sauce:
In the same pot, melt butter. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in milk and bring to a simmer until slightly thickened.
Stir in shredded cheese, parmesan, salt, and pepper.
(Optional: Whisk in protein powder if using.)
Combine:
Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and stir until fully coated.
Assemble & serve:
Serve a generous scoop of mac and cheese with a portion of honey garlic butter chicken on top. Garnish with fresh parsley or green onion.

Notes

Want even more protein? Add cooked peas, edamame, or white beans to the mac.
Swap chicken breast for thighs for extra juiciness.
Great for meal prep—store in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days.