Some days, I want comfort food, but I don’t want to give up on protein. That’s where this honey garlic butter chicken mac and cheese sneaks in and saves me. It’s creamy, it’s hearty, and it doesn’t make me feel like I’m just eating a bowl of carbs. I love how the chicken holds its own here. Juicy pieces of seasoned chicken, coated in that sweet and savory honey garlic butter glaze, tucked into cheesy pasta. The balance works—like two friends who complain about the same boss, they just get each other. And the best part is, this dish doubles up as one of my favorite meal prep ideas. I portion it out, pop it into containers, and suddenly weekday lunches feel less like a chore and more like a reward. I’ve tried plenty of meal prep chicken recipes before, but this one ranks high on my list of best meal prep recipes. It ticks all the boxes for recipes meal prep folks like us: tasty, filling, and practical. If you’re after a recipe meal prep that leans toward High Protein Recipes, this high protein recipe deserves a spot on your table.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Mac & Cheese Recipe
3) Ingredients for High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Mac & Cheese
4) How to Make High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Mac & Cheese
5) Tips for Making High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Mac & Cheese
6) Making High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Mac & Cheese Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Mac & Cheese
8) Try these Main Course next!
9) High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Mac & Cheese Recipe
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

Protein packed comfort food that doubles as meal prep ideas
Honey garlic butter chicken paired with creamy mac and cheese
Perfect for weeknight dinners or best meal prep recipes
Easy steps that even busy cooks can follow

2) Easy High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Mac & Cheese Recipe

I love when a recipe makes me feel like I’m winning at life. This dish does that. It combines juicy chicken with creamy mac and cheese in a way that feels indulgent but still fits into high protein recipes. You can call it comfort food, I call it smart cooking. We get both taste and protein without a lecture from our conscience.

Sometimes, recipes meal prep can feel repetitive. I’ve had weeks where I stare at my containers and feel dread. This dish changes that. It holds flavor, keeps texture, and somehow feels just as exciting on Friday as it did on Monday. It makes recipe meal prep less of a chore and more of a reward.

In my kitchen, easy doesn’t mean boring. It means I get to eat good food without needing three hours of my day. That’s why this is one of my best meal prep recipes. From a busy parent to a college student, anyone can whip this together. That’s why I keep it bookmarked on Elena Cooks at www.elenacooks.com.

3) Ingredients for High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Mac & Cheese

Chicken Breasts: I cut mine into bite sized pieces. They cook fast, stay juicy, and make every forkful balanced. You can swap with thighs if that’s your thing.

Olive Oil: I use it to brown the chicken. It brings flavor and a golden crust that butter alone can’t do.

Butter: The butter melts into honey and garlic to create that sticky glaze. It feels rich and comforting.

Honey: Sweetness against garlic and cheese works better than it sounds. It balances the dish.

Garlic: Fresh minced garlic gives the recipe its bold kick. Powder just doesn’t hit the same way.

Paprika: This little spice lifts the chicken and gives it warmth.

Elbow Macaroni: The pasta of choice here. It holds the sauce in every curve. Perfect comfort food vessel.

Milk and Chicken Broth: Together they make the sauce base smooth and savory.

Cheddar and Parmesan: I use both. Cheddar for creaminess, parmesan for sharp depth. It makes the sauce sing.

Cornstarch Slurry: This keeps the sauce thick enough to cling to pasta without turning soupy.

Parsley: Just a sprinkle at the end adds color and freshness to all that richness.

4) How to Make High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Mac & Cheese

Step 1: Cook macaroni until al dente. Drain and set aside. Don’t overcook or you’ll end up with mush.

Step 2: Heat oil in a skillet, add chicken with paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook until golden brown and fully done.

Step 3: Move chicken to one side. Drop butter, garlic, and honey into the pan. Let them melt together and coat the chicken.

Step 4: Pour in milk and broth. Bring to a light simmer while stirring to keep it smooth.

Step 5: Add slurry to thicken the sauce. Give it a few minutes to coat the spoon.

Step 6: Mix in pasta. Fold in cheddar and parmesan. Stir until creamy and glossy.

Step 7: Finish with parsley. Serve it hot, and enjoy the blend of sweet, savory, and cheesy flavors.

5) Tips for Making High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Mac & Cheese

Don’t skip seasoning your pasta water. Salting early locks flavor in before you even start mixing. It makes a bigger difference than you think.

Balance is key with honey. Too much and it overpowers. Too little and the glaze feels flat. I play with small changes until it hits that sweet spot.

When reheating, I splash in a spoon of milk. It brings the sauce back to life and keeps everything creamy. That small step has saved many of my meal prep ideas from drying out.

6) Making High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Mac & Cheese Ahead of Time

Cooking ahead feels like a gift to myself. This dish works perfectly for it. I divide portions into containers, let them cool, and line them in the fridge. It keeps flavor locked in.

The chicken stays tender when stored with sauce. Pasta absorbs flavor over time, making day two meals taste even better. Few recipes meal prep this well without falling apart.

For me, this ranks high in best meal prep recipes. It keeps me from grabbing takeout when the week gets rough. That’s why it holds a permanent spot in my meal prep rotation.

7) Storing Leftover High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Mac & Cheese

I store leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge. They stay good for up to four days. A quick warm up in the microwave, with a splash of milk, makes it taste fresh again.

If you freeze it, pasta softens but flavor holds. I sometimes make a double batch and freeze half. It saves me from cooking on busy weeks.

This high protein recipe proves leftovers don’t have to feel boring. It’s just as satisfying the second time around.

8) Try these Main Course next!

9) High Protein Honey Garlic Butter Chicken Mac & Cheese Recipe