High-Protein Hot Honey Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese

This spicy, creamy, and protein-packed mac and cheese is perfect for a hearty meal that doesn’t skimp on flavor.

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 1 ½ lbs chicken breast, diced

• 1 tbsp cornstarch

• 1 tbsp garlic powder

• 1 tbsp onion powder

• 1 tbsp paprika

• Salt & pepper, to taste

For the Mac & Cheese:

• 1 box Barilla red lentil pasta

• 1 Mac & cheese packet

• 1 ½ cups cottage cheese

• ½ cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or your choice)

• ½ cup almond milk

• ¼ cup buffalo sauce

• 2 tbsp nutritional yeast

• Salt & pepper, to taste

For the Hot Honey Buffalo Sauce:

• 2 tbsp honey

• ¼ cup buffalo sauce

Instructions

1. Cook the Chicken:

In a bowl, toss the diced chicken with cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with a bit of oil. Cook the chicken for 6-8 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked. Set aside.

2. Cook the Pasta:

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the red lentil pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.

3. Make the Cheese Sauce:

In a blender or food processor, blend the cottage cheese, almond milk, mac & cheese packet, buffalo sauce, nutritional yeast, salt, and pepper until smooth.

Pour the sauce into a saucepan over medium heat and stir in the shredded cheese until melted and creamy.

4. Prepare the Hot Honey Buffalo Sauce:

In a small bowl, whisk together the honey and buffalo sauce.

5. Assemble the Mac & Cheese:

In the pot with the drained pasta, pour in the cheese sauce and mix until fully coated.

Add the cooked chicken and stir to combine.

6. Finish & Serve:

Drizzle the hot honey buffalo sauce over the top and mix lightly.

Serve hot and enjoy!