High Protein Honey BBQ Chicken Mac & Cheese Meal Prep
Dive into a mouthwatering fusion of sweet honey, zesty BBQ, and a kick of spice with our High Protein Honey BBQ Chicken Mac & Cheese Meal Prep! This hearty dish combines tender chicken, creamy cheese, and perfectly cooked pasta, making it an ideal choice for your weekly meal prep. Get ready to savor a comforting bowl of goodness that's both satisfying and packed with protein!
Prep
15
min
Cook
30
min
Serves
4
people
Level
intermediate
📝 Ingredients
Serves 4🥬Fresh Produce(2)
- 3-4 Garlic Cloves Minced
- Garnish with Parsleyoptional
🥩Meat & Seafood(1)
- 700g Raw Chicken Breast (1.54 lbs)
🥛Dairy & Eggs(3)
- 40g Low Fat Cheddar Cheese (1.41 oz)
- 120g Light Cream Cheese (4.24 oz)Brand: Philadelphia Lightest
- 250ml Skimmed Milk (8.45 fl oz)
🫙Pantry Staples(4)
- 40g BBQ Sauce Reduced Sugar (1.41 oz)Brand: Tescos
- 30g Honey (1.06 oz)
- 225g Uncooked Macaroni Pasta (7.94 oz)
- 2 tsp Olive Oil (10 ml)
🧂Spices & Seasonings(3)
- 1 tsp Black Pepper (5 ml)
- 2 tsp Paprika (10 ml)
- 1 tsp Salt (5 ml)
🍯Sauces & Condiments(1)
- 60ml Hot Sauce (2.03 fl oz)Brand: @sauce_shop
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Cook the chicken on medium high heat for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown.
- 2
Turn off the heat before adding honey and BBQ sauce, then mix well and set the chicken aside.
- 3
For the creamy sauce, add all ingredients on low heat and stir gently with a whisk until it thickens and is smooth.
- 4
Add the cooked macaroni, distribute into 4 equal servings, and enjoy.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Turn off heat before adding honey and BBQ sauce because sugars caramelize at 320°F and will burn on hot pans, creating bitter compounds instead of the desired glaze.technique320°F caramelization point
- ✓Cook chicken to exactly 165°F internal temperature and rest for 3 minutes - this allows carryover cooking to finish while retaining maximum moisture for meal prep reheating.timing165°F, 3 minutes rest
- ✓Make cheese sauce on low heat below 180°F because casein proteins denature above this temperature, causing the sauce to break and become grainy.techniqueBelow 180°F
- ✓Undercook pasta by 1-2 minutes from package directions since it will continue cooking when reheated, preventing mushy texture in meal prep containers.timing1-2 minutes under
- ✓Cool meal prep containers to room temperature before refrigerating to prevent condensation buildup that creates soggy pasta and dilutes the cheese sauce by up to 15%.timing15% dilution prevention
Share this recipe
Prep
15
min
Cook
30
min
Serves
4
people
Level
intermediate
Share this recipe
High Protein Honey BBQ Chicken Mac & Cheese Meal Prep
Dive into a mouthwatering fusion of sweet honey, zesty BBQ, and a kick of spice with our High Protein Honey BBQ Chicken Mac & Cheese Meal Prep! This hearty dish combines tender chicken, creamy cheese, and perfectly cooked pasta, making it an ideal choice for your weekly meal prep. Get ready to savor a comforting bowl of goodness that's both satisfying and packed with protein!
📝 Ingredients
Serves 4🥬Fresh Produce(2)
- 3-4 Garlic Cloves Minced
- Garnish with Parsleyoptional
🥩Meat & Seafood(1)
- 700g Raw Chicken Breast (1.54 lbs)
🥛Dairy & Eggs(3)
- 40g Low Fat Cheddar Cheese (1.41 oz)
- 120g Light Cream Cheese (4.24 oz)Brand: Philadelphia Lightest
- 250ml Skimmed Milk (8.45 fl oz)
🫙Pantry Staples(4)
- 40g BBQ Sauce Reduced Sugar (1.41 oz)Brand: Tescos
- 30g Honey (1.06 oz)
- 225g Uncooked Macaroni Pasta (7.94 oz)
- 2 tsp Olive Oil (10 ml)
🧂Spices & Seasonings(3)
- 1 tsp Black Pepper (5 ml)
- 2 tsp Paprika (10 ml)
- 1 tsp Salt (5 ml)
🍯Sauces & Condiments(1)
- 60ml Hot Sauce (2.03 fl oz)Brand: @sauce_shop
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Cook the chicken on medium high heat for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown.
- 2
Turn off the heat before adding honey and BBQ sauce, then mix well and set the chicken aside.
- 3
For the creamy sauce, add all ingredients on low heat and stir gently with a whisk until it thickens and is smooth.
- 4
Add the cooked macaroni, distribute into 4 equal servings, and enjoy.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Turn off heat before adding honey and BBQ sauce because sugars caramelize at 320°F and will burn on hot pans, creating bitter compounds instead of the desired glaze.technique320°F caramelization point
- ✓Cook chicken to exactly 165°F internal temperature and rest for 3 minutes - this allows carryover cooking to finish while retaining maximum moisture for meal prep reheating.timing165°F, 3 minutes rest
- ✓Make cheese sauce on low heat below 180°F because casein proteins denature above this temperature, causing the sauce to break and become grainy.techniqueBelow 180°F
- ✓Undercook pasta by 1-2 minutes from package directions since it will continue cooking when reheated, preventing mushy texture in meal prep containers.timing1-2 minutes under
- ✓Cool meal prep containers to room temperature before refrigerating to prevent condensation buildup that creates soggy pasta and dilutes the cheese sauce by up to 15%.timing15% dilution prevention