Description
This High-Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese recipe offers a delicious, hearty meal packed with lean protein and rich flavors. Tender chicken breasts are coated in a luscious honey garlic butter sauce, paired with a creamy, cheesy mac and cheese enhanced with cottage cheese and Greek yogurt. Perfect for family dinners or meal prep, this dish is simple to make, satisfying, and adaptable to your personal taste preferences.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken and Honey Garlic Butter Sauce
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 garlic cloves, freshly minced
- 2 tablespoons honey
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Mac & Cheese
- 1 cup whole wheat elbow macaroni
- 1/2 cup low-fat cottage cheese
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup milk
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Mac and Cheese: Cook the whole wheat elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine low-fat cottage cheese, shredded cheddar, Greek yogurt, and milk, stirring constantly until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then fold in the cooked macaroni. Keep warm while preparing the chicken.
- Make the Honey Garlic Butter Sauce: In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add freshly minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in honey and mix well to combine, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Cook the Chicken: Season the boneless, skinless chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Place them in the skillet with the honey garlic butter sauce and cook each side for 5-6 minutes or until golden and cooked through. Baste the chicken occasionally with the sauce for maximum flavor and moisture.
- Combine and Serve: Once the chicken is cooked, plate it alongside a generous serving of the mac and cheese. Spoon any remaining honey garlic butter sauce over the chicken for extra indulgence. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley, if desired.
Notes
- Use room temperature chicken for even cooking and juicier texture.
- Don’t overcook garlic; sauté just until fragrant to keep sauce sweet and smooth.
- Fold macaroni gently into the cheese sauce to prevent breaking the pasta.
- Allow the sauce to thicken slightly to cling well to chicken and pasta.
- Using a cast iron skillet enhances searing and the buttery garlic flavors.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (1 chicken breast with mac & cheese)
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 55g
- Cholesterol: 140mg
Keywords: high-protein, honey garlic butter chicken, mac and cheese, healthy comfort food, protein-packed dinner, family meal
