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Elle Cresswell

Honey-Glazed Chicken with Black Pepper Macaroni Cheese

Golden, honey-glazed chicken, kissed with cracked black pepper, folded through silky macaroni cloaked in a rich blend of cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan—this is comfort food with a little extra swagger. Made entirely on the stovetop, this indulgent yet effortlessly approachable dish brings together tender pasta, molten cheese, and sweet-savoury chicken in one irresistibly creamy pan. Quick enough for a midweek supper, impressive enough to place proudly at the centre of the table.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 8 oz 225g elbow macaroni – perfectly shaped to catch every ribbon of silky cheese sauce.
For the Honey Pepper Chicken
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil – for achieving beautifully golden caramelised edges.
  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces – tender, juicy, and ideal for glazing.
  • 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper – bold warming, and wonderfully aromatic.
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt – to bring every flavour into balance.
  • 2 tablespoons runny honey – golden sweetness that transforms the chicken into something truly irresistible.
For the Velvet Cheese Sauce
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter – rich creamy, and the perfect foundation.
  • 2 tablespoons plain flour – for creating a smooth luxurious roux.
  • 2 cups 480ml whole milk – the secret to that silky, spoon-coating finish.
  • cups 170g sharp cheddar, freshly grated – bold, tangy, and deeply comforting.
  • ½ cup 55g mozzarella, freshly grated – for that irresistible molten stretch.
  • ¼ cup 25g Parmesan, finely grated – nutty, savoury, and beautifully rounded.
To Finish
  • Extra cracked black pepper – for a final touch of warmth and depth.
  • Freshly chopped parsley – a bright fresh flourish to bring everything to life.

Method
 

Cook the Pasta
  1. Bring a large pan of generously salted water to a rolling boil, then add the macaroni and cook until perfectly **al dente**—tender, with just the right amount of bite. Drain thoroughly, give it a gentle shake to remove any excess water, and set aside while still warm.
Glaze the Chicken
  1. Warm the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add the chicken pieces, seasoning generously with cracked black pepper and sea salt. Cook for **6–8 minutes**, turning occasionally, until beautifully golden on the outside and perfectly cooked through.
  2. Drizzle in the honey and toss everything through the pan for another minute, allowing it to bubble, caramelise, and cling to the chicken in a glossy, pepper-speckled glaze. Remove from the heat and set aside.
Build the Cheese Sauce
  1. In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat until gently foaming. Sprinkle in the flour and whisk continuously for about a minute, creating a smooth roux—the foundation of a truly luxurious sauce.
  2. Slowly pour in the milk, whisking constantly until silky smooth. Continue cooking for **4–5 minutes**, stirring often, until the sauce thickens to a rich, spoon-coating consistency.
  3. Lower the heat, then add the cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan, a handful at a time, stirring until fully melted, glossy, and beautifully smooth.
Bring It All Together
  1. Fold the warm macaroni into the cheese sauce, stirring until every curve and hollow is lavishly coated in molten cheese. Gently fold through the honey pepper chicken, allowing those sweet, savoury, peppery flavours to mingle beautifully.
Serve
  1. Spoon generously into warm bowls, finish with an extra crack of black pepper and a scattering of fresh parsley, then serve immediately—while bubbling, creamy, and utterly irresistible.

Notes

  • Dial up the warmth. If you like a little extra kick, stir a dash of hot sauce or a small pinch of cayenne into the cheese sauce. The gentle heat plays beautifully against the sweetness of the honey and the richness of the cheese.
  • Short on time? Swap the chicken breasts for tender chicken strips, or shred the meat from a store-bought rotisserie chicken for an effortless shortcut that still delivers plenty of flavour.
  • Respect the pasta. Cook your macaroni just to al dente—tender, but still with a little bite. It will continue to soften slightly as it folds through the warm sauce, giving you that perfect creamy texture without ever becoming heavy or overdone.
  • Freshly grate your cheese. Pre-shredded cheese is convenient, but freshly grated cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan melt more smoothly, giving you that luxuriously silky, restaurant-worthy finish.
  • Don’t rush the glaze. Give the honey a full minute in the pan with the chicken so it can bubble, caramelise, and cling to every piece in a glossy, pepper-speckled coating. That’s where the magic happens.
Little details… big flavour.