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Copycat Applebee’s Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese

Copycat Applebee’s Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese

A delicious recreation of Copycat Applebee’s Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese, featuring tender chicken, creamy cheese sauce, and flavorful honey pepper sauce.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Cooling Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 1037 kcal

Equipment

  • medium saucepan
  • Large Pan
  • baking pan

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Chicken

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

Honey Pepper Sauce

  • ¾ cup honey
  • ¼ cup light brown sugar
  • 3 Tbs low sodium soy sauce
  • ¼ cup pineapple juice
  • 1 juice of lemon
  • 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 garlic minced

Instructions
 

Main Instructions

  • Bake or deep fry chicken strips according to package directions (you can also make your own), set aside.
  • Cook pasta according to package directions.
  • 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.
  • 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

For best flavor, use freshly shredded cheeses and let the honey pepper sauce cool slightly before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 1037kcalCarbohydrates: 74gProtein: 26gFat: 72gSaturated Fat: 41gCholesterol: 243mgSodium: 1529mgPotassium: 353mgSugar: 67gVitamin A: 2330IUVitamin C: 2.5mgCalcium: 554mgIron: 1.4mg
Keyword Applebee's, Chicken, Comfort Food, Copycat Recipe, Mac and Cheese
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