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Copycat Applebee’s Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese

Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese

This Copycat Applebee’s Honey Pepper Mac and Cheese is the perfect copycat recipe. Filled with mac and cheese, chicken, and bacon, it is completely addicting!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4 people
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Equipment (affiliate links)

  • 1 Medium saucepan

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

  • 16 oz spiral noodles
  • 25 oz breaded chicken strips
  • 5 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
  • Salt and Pepper
  • Basil

Honey Pepper Sauce

  • 3/4 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar
  • 3 Tbs soy sauce low sodium
  • 1/4 cup pineapple juice
  • 1 lemon juiced
  • 1 Tbs vinegar
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

Cheese Sauce

  • 1 stick butter
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese freshly shredded
  • 3/4 cup colby jack cheese freshly shredded
  • 2-3 cloves garlic minced
  • Chopped fresh basil

Instructions

Instructions

  • 1. Bake or deep fry chicken strips according to package directions (you can also make your own), set aside.
  • 2. Cook pasta according to package directions.
  • 3. Meanwhile, mix all your Honey Pepper sauce ingredients in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring often. Remove from heat and let cool slightly to thicken.
  • 4. In a large saucepan, melt your butter over medium heat, once melted add in your heavy cream and bring to a simmer.
  • 5. Once melted, add in your cheese one at a time, stirring after each addition, then add garlic and stir until incorporated and everything is melted.
  • 6. Add salt and pepper to taste.
  • 7. Add pasta to pan with sauce and stir to combine, add in your bacon and stir until incorporated.
  • 8. Dip each of your chicken strips into the honey pepper sauce until coated and set aside.
  • 9. When ready to serve, dish up your pasta and top with chicken strips and sprinkle with basil and additional bacon if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 1037kcal | Carbohydrates: 74g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 72g | Saturated Fat: 41g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 243mg | Sodium: 1529mg | Potassium: 353mg | Sugar: 67g | Vitamin A: 2330IU | Vitamin C: 2.5mg | Calcium: 554mg | Iron: 1.4mg