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Copycat Applebee’s Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese

Copycat Applebee’s Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese

This Copycat Applebee's Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese is a delicious restaurant-style dish filled with mac and cheese, chicken, and bacon, perfect for enjoying at home.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4 people
Calories 1037 kcal

Equipment

  • medium saucepan
  • large pan
  • baking sheet

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Chicken

  • 1 box spiral noodles 16 oz
  • 1 bag breaded chicken strips 25 oz
  • 5 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Basil chopped fresh

Honey Pepper Sauce

  • ¾ cup honey
  • ¼ cup light brown sugar
  • 3 Tbs soy sauce low sodium
  • ¼ cup pineapple juice
  • 1 piece lemon juice of
  • 1 Tbs vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Cheese Sauce

  • 1 stick butter
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • ½ cup shredded parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese freshly shredded
  • ¾ cup colby jack cheese freshly shredded
  • 2-3 cloves minced garlic

Instructions
 

Cooking Instructions

  • Bake or deep fry chicken strips according to package directions, set aside.
  • Cook pasta according to package directions.
  • 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.
  • To make your cheese sauce melt your butter and cream together in a large pan.
  • 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.
  • Add salt and pepper to taste.
  • Add pasta to pan with sauce and stir to combine, add in your bacon and stir until incorporated.
  • Dip each of your chicken strips into the honey pepper sauce until coated and set aside.
  • When ready to serve, dish up your pasta and top with chicken strips and sprinkle with basil and additional bacon if desired.

Notes

This dish is best served hot and fresh, and can be modified based on your preference for spices and additional toppings.

Nutrition

Serving: 1plateCalories: 1037kcalCarbohydrates: 74gProtein: 26gFat: 72gSaturated Fat: 41gCholesterol: 243mgSodium: 1529mgPotassium: 353mgSugar: 67gVitamin A: 2330IUVitamin C: 2.5mgCalcium: 554mgIron: 1.4mg
Keyword Applebee’s, Comfort Food, copycat recipe, dinner, Honey Pepper Chicken, Mac and Cheese
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