High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese

Introduction

If you crave comfort food that doesn’t compromise on nutrition, this High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese is your new go-to recipe. It packs a powerful protein punch, thanks to lean chicken breast, and pairs it with irresistibly creamy, cheesy pasta. The sweet-savory glaze on the chicken plays beautifully with the rich mac & cheese, making this dish a surefire family favorite that’s both satisfying and simple to prepare.

The Perfect Balance: Flavor, Protein, and Comfort

What sets this recipe apart is its thoughtful combination of flavors and its focus on high-quality protein. The honey garlic butter sauce coats juicy chicken pieces, infusing savory depth with a hint of sweetness. Serving it over classic macaroni and cheese provides a comforting, familiar base, while a higher-protein cheese and pasta option ensures that every bite helps meet your nutrition goals—making it ideal for active lifestyles, busy weeknights, or feeding a hungry crowd.

Making a Sweet & Savory Honey Garlic Butter Sauce

This sauce is the heart of the dish: it’s made simply with honey, garlic, butter, and low-sodium soy sauce. Together, they create a glossy glaze that caramelizes slightly as it cooks, clinging to each chicken piece and locking in moisture. For an extra nutrition boost, opt for grass-fed butter and fresh garlic. Let the sauce simmer until it thickens, ensuring each bite bursts with flavor.

High Protein Mac & Cheese Reinvented

Traditional mac & cheese gets a protein-rich upgrade by using chickpea or lentil-based pasta and incorporating Greek yogurt and reduced-fat cheese. This twist not only increases the meal’s overall protein content but also imparts a creamier, tangier mac and cheese that pairs perfectly with your flavorful chicken. Stir the sauce until smooth and luscious, then toss with al dente pasta for the perfect base.

💡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 meal planning.

Instructions

1. Make the Mac & Cheese:
   • Cook chickpea or lentil pasta shells according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
   • In a saucepan, melt 1 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add milk and cottage cheese or Greek yogurt, whisking until smooth.
   • Stir in shredded cheddar until melted and creamy. Season with salt and pepper. Toss with cooked pasta, cover, and keep warm.
2. Prepare the Chicken:
   • Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
   • Heat olive oil and 2 tbsp butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken, cooking in batches if necessary, until browned and cooked through (about 5–7 minutes). Remove chicken and set aside.
3. Make the Honey Garlic Butter Sauce:
   • In the same skillet, melt remaining 2 tbsp butter. Add minced garlic and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
   • Add honey and soy sauce. Bring to a gentle simmer. (If thicker sauce is preferred, mix 1 tsp cornstarch with 2 tsp water and add here.)
   • Return chicken to pan and toss to coat in the glaze. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until sauce is rich and glossy.
4. Assemble & Serve:
   • Spoon mac & cheese onto serving plates. Top with honey garlic butter chicken and drizzle with extra sauce.
   • Garnish with fresh parsley or chives if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy the flavor-packed, protein-rich comfort!

Serving Suggestions and Nutrition

This recipe serves 4 plentiful main course portions. For a well-balanced meal, pair with a side of steamed green veggies or a crisp salad. Each serving offers approximately 40–45g of protein, making it fantastic for muscle recovery or simply fueling a busy day.

Weekly Meal Planning

High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese is an excellent recipe for weekly meal prep and planning. The chicken and creamy pasta can be cooked in advance and reheated for quick weekday lunches or dinners—just keep sauces separate until serving to maintain the best texture.

Save and schedule this recipe to plan which days you’ll prepare it and generate smart shopping lists that consolidate ingredients for all your planned meals.

Planning Benefits:

• Automatically calculates total ingredient quantities for all your recipes
• Organizes your shopping list by grocery store section
• Reduces duplicate purchases and prevents forgotten items
• Makes batch cooking and meal prep more streamlined

Pro tip: When planning multiple meals, let CookifyAI optimize your ingredient list so overlapping items like chicken, cheese, or garlic are merged and optimized—saving time, money, and reducing food waste.

Cook and Prep Times

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

Enjoy a delicious, high-protein meal that’s equal parts comfort and nutrition—and effortlessly stay on track with your meal prep goals!