Honey Pepper Chicken with Mac & Cheese Recipe

That first hiss from the cooker tells you something good is happening. You catch that little steam cue and your heart kinda starts racing, knowing dinner is on the way. Its like your kitchen starts whispering good stuffs brewing right now.

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Once the pressure build begins, you kinda forget the time. You remember how busy your day was but now you got a moment to breathe while your cooker does all the hard work. Its pretty satisfying watching all those ingredients come together without you hovering over the stove.

You notice the float valve pop up and you know its doing its thing. That slow simmer, the broth depth settling just right, its the silent promise of a tasty meal. You gotta admit, these moments are the best part of the whole process.

Why This Recipe Works Every Single Time

• The seasoned flour blend coats the chicken perfectly for that crispy bite without deep frying.
• Brownin the chicken first locks in flavors before slow cookin it tender.
• Honey pepper sauce brings the right mix of sweet heat thats pleasing to the palate.
• Cooking chicken in the cooker ensures it stays juicy and falls apart easily.
• The four cheese sauce adds that creamy richness that just melts into the pasta.
• Mixin in the bacon last keeps it crunchy and adds a smoky finish.
• You control the broth depth by adding just enough liquid for a perfect sauce consistency.

The Complete Shopping Rundown

• 6 slices thick-cut bacon - gotta get that crunch and smoky flavor.
• 2 cups all purpose flour - this is the base for your seasoning mix.
• Seasoning herbs and spices - paprika, kosher salt, dry mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, seasoned salt, black pepper, celery seed, dried ginger, thyme, basil, and oregano. These build the layers of flavor.
• 1 lb chicken tenders - trimmed so you aint dealin with excess fat.
• 2 cups buttermilk - helps make chicken tender before cooking.
• Honey, brown sugar, pineapple juice, soy sauce, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, black pepper, cayenne pepper - all for that sweet and peppery sauce.
• Butter and garlic - base for the cheese sauce.
• 1 Anaheim pepper - adds a subtle kick; jalapeno or poblano works fine too.
• Heavy cream - for that creamy cheese sauce texture.
• Parmesan, Mozzarella, Romano, Asiago cheeses - the four cheeses that melt into the perfect sauce.
• 1 box dried cavatappi or other short pasta - holds the cheese and sauce real good.
• Fresh parsley for garnish - adds a fresh pop of color and flavor.

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The Exact Process From Start to Finish

1. Cook the bacon in a skillet till crisp, then drain on paper towels and crumble it when cool. This will top off your dish with some crunch.
2. Mix up your seasoned flour blend with the flour, paprika, kosher salt, dry mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, seasoned salt, black pepper, celery seed, ginger, thyme, basil, and oregano. This blend is gonna coat your chicken so good.
3. Dip chicken tenders in buttermilk if you want extra juicy chicken, then coat them in the seasoned flour, shakin off the extra. Make sure every piece is covered.
4. Heat a little oil in a skillet and brown chicken pieces on medium-high heat, just enough to seal in flavor, not cook through.
5. Throw the browned chicken into your slow cooker. Pour over the honey pepper sauce made with honey, brown sugar, pineapple juice, soy sauce, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Give it a good mix so everythings coated.
6. Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours till chicken is fall-apart tender. Your cookers float valve will pop up early to signal pressure build and then you just sit back.
7. While chicken cooks, make your four cheese sauce by melting butter, garlic, and diced Anaheim pepper in a saucepan. Stir in flour and cook a bit, then pour in heavy cream. Stir in Parmesan, Mozzarella, Romano, and Asiago cheeses until smooth. Toss with cooked cavatappi pasta, then plate with the chicken on top, garnished with crumbled bacon and fresh parsley.

Valve Hacks You Need to Know

• Use natural release instead of quick release for chicken recipes like this one to keep it juicy and tender without splatter.
• Keep an eye on the float valve as your steam cue that pressures building and your cooker is working right.
• Adjust broth depth by addin liquid gradually if youre unsure. Too much broth makes it soupy, too little might scorch your dish.

When You Finally Get to Eat

You notice the aroma hit you first. The warm spices and sweet honey mix up in the air and you feel yourself relax. Its that kinda smell that makes your stomach growl faster than you expect.

The chicken is perfectly tender, juicy and coated in sticky honey pepper sauce thats got just enough heat to keep it interesting. You take that first bite and its all sweet, tangy, and savory goodness.

The creamy four cheese mac feels like a warm hug, cheesy and smooth with the bite of garlic and pepper from the Anaheim pepper. The pasta holds the sauce just right without getting mushy.

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That crisp bacon sprinkle on top adds texture and a smoky punch at the end. Every bite feels like a little plate of comfort yall are gonna crave again.

Making It Last All Week Long

• Refrigerate leftovers in airtight containers to keep the chicken juicy and pasta creamy. Use within 3-4 days.
• Freeze portions separately with sauce and pasta for easy reheat convenience. Thaw overnight in fridge before warming.
• Reheat gently on stove or microwave using low power to keep cheese sauce from breaking.
• Repurpose leftovers by tossing chopped chicken into salads or wraps, or stirring pasta with veggies for a quick meal.

Common Questions and Real Answers

• Can I skip browning the chicken? You can but browning adds flavor and texture. Its worth doing if you got the time.
• What if I dont have all the spices? Use what you got. The main flavors come from the paprika, garlic, and salt so just focus on those.
• Can I use frozen chicken? Yep just add 1 extra hour to cook time and make sure it hits the right internal temp.
• Why natural release? It keeps juices inside the chicken and avoids splatter when you open the lid.
• How do I avoid a watery sauce? Measure your liquids carefully. Too much broth depth ruins the sauce consistency and makes it runny.
• Can I swap cheeses in the sauce? Totally. Use whatever melty cheeses you like but keep a combo for that balance of flavor and creaminess.

For recipes that pair well with these bars and more pressure cooker tips, be sure to check out our Thai Sweet Chili Chicken and Cinnamon Apple Fritters posts for easy and tasty meal ideas.

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Slow Cooker Honey Pepper Chicken with 4 Cheese Mac

This comforting dish combines tender, slow cooked honey pepper chicken with a rich and creamy four cheese macaroni base, topped with crispy crumbled bacon and fresh parsley for a decadent, satisfying meal.

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Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 50 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Course Soup

Cuisine Mexican

Servings 4 servings

Calories 1509 kcal

Equipment

• 1 Mixing bowl Large

Ingredients

  

Main ingredients

• 6 slices thick-cut bacon
• 2 cups all purpose flour seasoned flour mix
• 1 lb chicken tenders trimmed
• 2 cups buttermilk
• ¾ cup honey
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup pineapple juice
• 3 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 lemon juiced
• 4 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper or less, to taste
• 4 tablespoon butter
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 Anaheim pepper diced
• 3 tablespoon all purpose flour for cheese sauce
• 2 cups heavy cream
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese grated
• ¾ cup Mozzarella cheese shredded
• ½ cup Romano cheese shredded
• ½ cup Asiago cheese shredded
• ¼ teaspoon dried basil
• 1 box dried cavatappi pasta or similar short cut
• fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

 

Instructions

• Cook the bacon in a skillet till crisp, drain on paper towels, and crumble when cool.
• Mix your seasoned flour with spices and set aside.
• Dip chicken tenders in buttermilk and coat with seasoned flour, shaking off excess.
• Brown the coated chicken in a skillet with oil over medium-high heat until just seared.
• Transfer browned chicken to slow cooker and pour over honey pepper sauce. Mix to coat well.
• Cover and cook on low for 4–6 hours until chicken is tender.
• In saucepan, melt butter with garlic and diced pepper. Stir in flour, then whisk in cream.
• Add cheeses one at a time, stirring until smooth. Season with basil and pepper.
• Cook cavatappi pasta until al dente. Drain and toss with cheese sauce.
• Plate pasta, top with honey pepper chicken, crumbled bacon, and parsley.

Notes

Refrigerate leftovers in airtight containers and consume within 3-4 days. Can also be frozen for later use. Reheat gently to preserve cheese sauce texture.