Description
A creamy, cheesy mac and cheese loaded with crispy chicken tenders tossed in a sticky-sweet honey pepper glaze. A perfect blend of comfort and kick—just like Applebee’s famous dish!
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
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2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced
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Salt, pepper, garlic powder (to taste)
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½ cup all-purpose flour
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2 eggs, beaten
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1 cup panko breadcrumbs
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Oil for frying
For the Honey Pepper Glaze:
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½ cup honey
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2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
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1 tsp black pepper
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¼ tsp chili flakes (optional)
For the Mac and Cheese:
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2 cups elbow macaroni
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2 tbsp butter
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2 tbsp flour
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2 cups whole milk
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1 cup sharp cheddar, shredded
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½ cup mozzarella, shredded
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½ cup parmesan, grated
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¼ cup asiago (or additional cheddar), shredded
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Salt to taste
Optional Toppings:
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4 strips cooked bacon, crumbled
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Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
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Cook pasta: Boil macaroni until al dente. Drain and set aside.
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Fry chicken: Season, bread with flour → egg → panko, and fry until golden brown. Set aside.
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Make glaze: In a saucepan, heat honey, vinegar, and pepper until slightly thickened. Toss chicken in warm glaze.
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Make cheese sauce: In a large pan, melt butter, whisk in flour, and cook for 1 min. Slowly whisk in milk, then stir in cheeses until smooth.
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Combine: Mix pasta into the cheese sauce. Top with glazed chicken, bacon, and parsley.
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Optional: Bake at 375°F for 10–15 minutes for a crispy, golden top.
Notes
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For extra heat, add more chili flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the glaze.
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Use freshly grated cheese for the creamiest texture.
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Air fry chicken for a lighter version.
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Add vegetables like spinach or broccoli for added nutrition.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop + Optional Baking
- Cuisine: American Comfort Food
Nutrition
- Calories: 820 kcal
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 48g
- Saturated Fat: 21g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 42g