High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese – Maja’s Recipes

Introduction

Combining savory and sweet notes with irresistible creaminess, High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese is a meal that satisfies both flavor cravings and nutritional goals. The tender chicken is glazed with a sticky honey garlic butter sauce, then nestled beside a rich, protein-boosted macaroni and cheese. It’s an ideal centerpiece for family nights, post-workout dinners, or indulgent meal preps when you want comfort food with a nutritious punch.

Why You’ll Love This High Protein Dinner

This recipe shines for its dynamic blend of flavors and powerful nutritional profile. Juicy, golden-browned chicken is glazed in an addictive honey garlic sauce that balances sweet, salty, and umami notes. Paired with a creamy, high protein mac & cheese—thanks to Greek yogurt and extra cheddar—this meal is both comforting and sustaining. It’s sure to win over picky eaters and health-conscious diners alike.

Preparing the Perfect Honey Garlic Butter Chicken

Start with boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs for maximum tenderness and protein. Sear them in butter until golden, then simmer in a sauce made from honey, minced garlic, and a dash of low-sodium soy sauce. A final glaze, reduction, and fresh chopped parsley help round out the flavors and presentation.

Crafting a High Protein Mac & Cheese

Up the nutrition in everyone’s favorite side by mixing in high protein ingredients. Classic elbow macaroni combines with a creamy sauce made from sharp cheddar, Greek yogurt (or cottage cheese), and a little milk. The result is a mac & cheese that’s velvety, tangy, and supports your high protein goals.

Serving Suggestions for a Memorable Meal

Serve the glossy honey garlic chicken over a heap of creamy mac & cheese, with a sprinkle of parsley or chives for color. A light green side salad or steamed broccoli makes the meal complete, striking the perfect balance between indulgence and nourishment.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields 4 generous servings. Each portion provides about 35g of protein, 600–650 calories, and is rich in calcium, iron, and B vitamins. It’s a balanced dinner for muscle repair or hearty family feasts.

High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese (Recap)

This is a crowd-pleasing dinner that offers bold sweet-savory chicken, ultra creamy mac & cheese, and a nutrient-rich composition. A rare combination of hearty comfort and health-conscious cooking!

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and stress-free meal prep.

Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken: Pat chicken dry and season with salt and pepper. Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and cook 4–5 minutes per side (until golden and cooked through). Remove and set aside.
2. Make the Honey Garlic Sauce: In the same pan, add minced garlic; sauté for 1 minute. Stir in honey and soy sauce. Return chicken to pan, spooning sauce over pieces. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until glaze thickens. Sprinkle with chopped parsley, if using.
3. Cook the Macaroni: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add macaroni, cook al dente, and drain.
4. Make the Cheese Sauce: In the pasta pot, melt butter over low heat. Add milk, then slowly whisk in cheddar until melted. Stir in Greek yogurt, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Return pasta to the pot and mix until well coated.
5. Assemble the Plates: Serve a portion of mac & cheese with chicken and spoon extra honey garlic sauce on top. Enjoy hot!

Weekly Meal Planning

This recipe is excellent for the weekly meal planner—it reheats beautifully and can be portioned for work lunches or family dinners. Save and schedule this recipe to assign it to a specific day and create a consolidated shopping list that covers all your planned meals.

Planning Benefits:

– Effortlessly calculates exact ingredient amounts for the week
– Groups all items by store section for faster shopping
– Eliminates duplicate purchases and missed items
– Streamlines meal prep for consistent nutrition and less stress

Pro tip: Batch prep extra chicken and mac & cheese for lunches—the shopping list will update automatically. Schedule all your favorites for the week and see how ingredients overlap for optimized shopping—goodbye, food waste!

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes