Honey BBQ Mac N Cheese

Steps14

1. 1

   Step 1. Marinate the chicken

   Cube the chicken thighs and mix them in a bowl with the buttermilk and hot sauce.

2. 2

   Step 2. Melt butter with spices

   Melt the unsalted butter in a pan, then stir in the chili powder, paprika and garlic powder.

3. 3

   Step 3. Add evaporated milk

   Pour the evaporated milk into the spiced butter and stir.

4. 4

   Step 4. Stir in cream

   Pour in the heavy cream and milk and stir until smooth.

5. 5

   Step 5. Melt in cheeses

   Add the pepper colby jack, gouda and sharp cheddar to the sauce and stir until melted. Use 8 oz of the colby jack and 10 oz of the cheddar here.

6. 6

   Step 6. Season the sauce

   Season the cheese sauce with salt to taste.

7. 7

   Step 7. Combine pasta and sauce

   Add the cooked elbow macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir to coat.

8. 8

   Step 8. Top with cheese

   Sprinkle the remaining 8 oz pepper colby jack and 8 oz sharp cheddar over the pasta.

9. 9

   Step 9. Coat the chicken

   Dredge the marinated chicken in the flour mixed with spices and panko.

   Chicken thigh
10. 10

    Step 10. Fry the chicken

    Deep fry the coated chicken pieces until golden and crispy, then drain them on a rack.

    Chicken thigh
11. 11

    Step 11. Make the honey BBQ sauce

    Combine the ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, honey and cold butter in a pan and warm until glossy.

12. 12

    Step 12. Toss chicken in sauce

    Toss the fried chicken in the honey BBQ sauce until coated.

    Chicken thigh
13. 13

    Step 13. Bake the macaroni

    Bake the mac and cheese until the top is browned and bubbling.

    Macaroni
14. 14

    Step 14. Top with chicken

    Spoon the honey BBQ chicken over the baked mac and cheese and serve.

    Chicken thigh