Creamy Garlic Chicken Mac n Cheese (High Protein)

A black bowl filled with creamy garlic mac and cheese, topped with sticky honey garlic chicken cubes, garnished with parsley and black pepper, served on a black marble table with a glass of rosé wine in the background.

A meal so comforting, your therapist might get jealous.

Sticky chicken. Creamy mac. Zero regrets.

Hey bestie! 💕
If you’ve ever stared at a boring bowl of mac and cheese and whispered, “You could be more,” this one’s for you. We’re talking Creamy Garlic Chicken Mac n Cheese that’s loaded with flavor, packed with protein, and ready to become your new meal prep obsession.

Jump to Recipe

This dish is basically the love child of juicy honey garlic butter chicken and the dreamiest lightened-up mac. Like, why choose between comfort food and a glow-up dinner when you can have both?

And yes, it’s giving:

59g of protein per serving
Creamy, cheesy, garlicky richness
And that sticky-sweet buttery chicken that has no business being this good.

Ready to turn your Tuesday night pasta into a full-blown ✨main character moment✨?

Quick Facts

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4
Difficulty: Easy, babe (just one pan and one pot!)

Why You’ll Love This Chicken Mac n Cheese

Garlicky, buttery, honey-glazed chicken that tastes like it came from a fancy bistro
Creamy mac n cheese sauce made lighter with skim milk and low-fat cheddar
59g protein per serving to keep you full and glowing
Simple, one-pan-friendly method (plus just one pot for the pasta!)
Meal-prep approved – stays creamy even after reheating

Ingredients You’ll Need:

For the Honey Garlic Chicken:

800g raw chicken breast, cut into cubes
1½ tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp chili flakes (optional if you’re spice-sensitive)
1½ tsp garlic powder
1½ tsp onion powder
1½ tsp paprika or smoked paprika
2 tsp olive oil
30g light butter (we used Lurpak Light)
2 tsp minced garlic
30g honey (about 15g per batch)
A handful of fresh chopped parsley

For the Creamy Garlic Mac:

1 tbsp minced garlic
300ml skimmed milk
160g light cream cheese (we used Philadelphia Light)
1 tsp salt (or to taste)
½ tsp black pepper
1 tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp nutmeg (don’t skip — it adds major depth)
100g low-fat cheddar cheese
220g uncooked macaroni pasta (or any shape you love)

Overhead view of ingredients for creamy garlic chicken mac and cheese arranged on a black marble surface, including cubed chicken, pasta, shredded cheese, cream cheese, olive oil, butter, garlic, and assorted spices.

Let’s Cook!

Cubed raw chicken breast seasoned with paprika, garlic powder, chili flakes, black pepper, and parsley on a glass cutting board, with surrounding spices and a chef’s knife on a black marble counter.

Step One: Season the Chicken Like a Boss

Grab your diced chicken breast and toss it in a bowl with salt, black pepper, chili flakes (if you’re feelin’ spicy), garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and olive oil. Mix it all together until the chicken is glossy and coated in that gorgeous red-orange hue.

💡 Bestie tip: If it smells amazing already, you’re doing it right.

Step Two: Sear Until Golden & Irresistible

Heat a large non-stick pan over medium heat. Add half the butter and let it melt until glossy. Cook the chicken in batches (don’t crowd the pan) for about 4 to 5 minutes on one side. Flip and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes until golden and lightly crispy.

Set the cooked chicken aside once it’s cooked through and sizzling.

Step Three: Add the Honey Garlic Magic

Lower the heat. To the same pan, add the remaining butter, minced garlic, and honey. Stir gently until the garlic is fragrant and the mixture becomes sticky, glossy, and just begging to coat something. Add the cooked chicken back in and toss until everything is glistening and saucy.

💜 Trust the vibes: You want it juicy, not soupy.

Step Four: Start the Creamy Garlic Sauce

Cream cheese, shredded cheddar, and paprika sprinkled over macaroni in a creamy milk sauce, prepared in a white enameled pot with a wooden spoon on a black marble countertop.

After that, in a separate pot, use the leftover buttery garlic from the chicken (yes, queen, flavor recycling). Sauté your big tablespoon of garlic for 2 minutes over medium-low heat until soft and fragrant.

Pour in the skimmed milk and add your cream cheese. Stir, stir, stir until it all melts into a silky, smooth sauce.

💡 Bestie tip: Instead of cooking the macaroni separately, cook the macaroni in the sauce. Trust.

Step Five: Season Like You Mean It

Add salt, black pepper, paprika, and nutmeg to the sauce. Stir again until fully blended and slightly thickened.

Lower the heat before adding the shredded cheddar. Mix it in slowly until it’s melty and creamy. This is your moment – make it luxe.

Step Six: Combine with Cooked Pasta

Fold in your cooked macaroni and gently stir until every noodle is smothered in that creamy, garlicky cheese sauce. Then add your sticky honey garlic chicken and toss lightly to combine or leave it as a topping – chef’s choice.

Step Seven: Garnish and Serve

Lastly, top with chopped parsley and maybe a lil’ extra sprinkle of cheese if you’re feeling indulgent. Serve hot, plate it pretty, and watch this super creamy garlic chicken mac n cheese disappear faster than a guilty ex!

FAQ: Chicken Mac n Cheese Edition

💜 Can you put chicken in mac and cheese?

Absolutely, and it slaps. Chicken adds protein, flavor, and serious texture contrast to creamy mac. Just make sure it’s well-seasoned and cooked separately to keep it juicy.

💜 What’s the best seasoning for chicken mac and cheese?

A mix of garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper is the golden combo. In this recipe, a hint of honey and chili flakes brings it all to life.

💜 What cheese makes the creamiest mac and cheese?

Low-fat cheddar melts beautifully and pairs perfectly with cream cheese for that rich, gooey pull without the heaviness. You can swap in mozzarella or Gouda if you want to remix it.

💜 What can I add to mac and cheese to make it more flavorful?

Season that sauce, babe! Garlic, nutmeg, paprika, and a touch of butter make all the difference. And cooking the garlic in leftover chicken drippings? That’s flavor layering at its finest!

💜 How do I meal prep mac and cheese without it drying out?

Use enough sauce to coat every noodle and store it in airtight containers. When reheating, add a splash of milk before microwaving to bring back that creamy magic.

💜 What’s the secret ingredient in this creamy chicken mac?

It’s gotta be the honey garlic glaze – just a touch of sweetness adds contrast that makes the savory flavors pop.

Serving Suggestions

This Creamy Garlic Chicken Mac n Cheese is bold enough to shine solo but plays real nice with:

A black bowl filled with creamy mac and cheese and honey garlic chicken, served with a slice of garlic bread and a fresh green salad with cherry tomatoes on a black marble surface.

A crisp side salad with lemony vinaigrette goes great, balanced against the creamy goodness
️ Roasted broccoli or green beans (adds crunch and color)
Garlic bread if you’re in full cozy-carb mode
A glass of chilled white wine or lemon sparkling water for a refreshing finish

Meal Prep, Storage & Reheat Tips

Divide into 4 airtight containers for easy grab-and-go lunches
Let the mac cool slightly before sealing to keep condensation out
Add a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a pop of color before storing
Store in the fridge for up to 4 days
Freeze for up to 1 month (expect slightly softer pasta)
Pair with roasted veggies, side salad, or garlic bread for full meals
Stack containers in the fridge with a paper towel beneath to catch moisture
Label each container with the date to stay organized
Great for gym days, back-to-back meetings, or cozy couch dinners

Store in airtight containers to keep the mac creamy and the chicken juicy
Let everything cool before sealing to avoid condensation buildup
Keep refrigerated for up to 4 days
Use shallow containers for faster cooling and even storage
Add a piece of parchment between layers if stacking in lunchboxes
Freeze for up to 1 month in freezer-safe containers
Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating
Avoid freezing with garnish, add parsley fresh after reheating
Label containers with the date to keep your meal prep game strong

Add a splash of milk or broth before reheating to revive creaminess
Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring in between until evenly heated
Cover loosely with a lid or paper towel to prevent splatter
Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring frequently
Add a little shredded cheese while reheating for extra richness
For oven reheat, cover with foil and bake at 180°C / 350°F for 10–15 minutes
Avoid overheating to keep the chicken juicy and the pasta tender
Stir in fresh herbs or a touch of butter post-reheat to refresh flavors

Four plastic meal prep containers filled with creamy macaroni and honey garlic chicken stacked on a black marble kitchen counter with sleek modern kitchen tools in the background.

Whip it up this Creamy Garlic Chicken Mac n Cheese tell us how it turned out! Drop a comment if you’re as obsessed as we are, and tag @vievacious_official so we can hype your plate.

If you’re feeling for something a little more spicy, try our Chicken Teriyaki Fried Rice: Better Than Takeout! recipe instead.

Creamy Garlic Chicken Mac n Cheese (High Protein + SO Flavorful!)

Recipe by VievieCourse: Dinner, MainCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Cooking time

minutes

Calories

597

kcal

Resting Time

minutes

Total time

minutes

If you’ve ever stared at a boring bowl of mac and cheese and whispered “you could be more,” this one’s for you. We’re talking Creamy Garlic Chicken Mac n Cheese that’s loaded with flavor, packed with protein, and ready to become your new meal prep obsession.

Ingredients

For the Honey Garlic Chicken:
800g (1.75 lbs) chicken breast, cubed
1½ tsp (7g) salt
1 tsp (2g) black pepper
1 tsp (2g) chili flakes (optional)
1½ tsp (3g) garlic powder
1½ tsp (3g) onion powder
1½ tsp (3g) paprika
2 tsp (10ml) olive oil
30g (2 tbsp) light butter
2 tsp (5g) minced garlic
30g (1½ tbsp) honey
Fresh parsley for garnish
For the Garlic Mac:
1 tbsp (15g) minced garlic
300ml (1¼ cups) skimmed milk
160g (5.6 oz or ~⅔ cup) light cream cheese
1 tsp (5g) salt
½ tsp (2g) black pepper
1 tsp (2g) smoked paprika
½ tsp (1g) nutmeg
100g (1 cup) low-fat cheddar cheese
220g (2 cups) uncooked macaroni pasta

Directions

Step One: Prep & Cook the Chicken
Dice and season: Cut chicken breast into cubes. Season with salt, pepper, chili flakes, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Drizzle with olive oil and mix until coated.
Sear to perfection: In a hot skillet, cook chicken over medium heat for 5 minutes per side until golden and crispy.
Sauce it up: Lower the heat, then add butter, minced garlic, honey, and parsley. Toss to coat in that sticky, glossy glaze.
Set aside the chicken while you make the sauce.
Step Two: Make the Creamy Garlic Cheese Sauce
Start with garlic: In the same pan, sauté 1 tbsp of minced garlic in the leftover butter for 2 minutes until fragrant.
Add dairy: Pour in skimmed milk and add cream cheese. Stir constantly until smooth and velvety.
Season the sauce: Add salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and nutmeg. Keep stirring.
Melt in the cheddar: Once the sauce thickens slightly, reduce heat and stir in shredded low-fat cheddar until creamy.
Step Three: Add Pasta & Combine
Cook the pasta: Boil your macaroni until al dente. Drain and reserve a splash of pasta water.
Stir it all together: Add cooked pasta to the cheese sauce. Toss gently until coated in creamy goodness.
Bring back the chicken: Add in the honey garlic chicken and gently fold to combine — or plate it separately on top for visual drama.

Notes

Dairy-free? Use oat milk, dairy-free cream cheese (like Kite Hill), and vegan cheddar.
Gluten-free? Sub in GF pasta and double-check your seasonings.
No honey? Try maple syrup or agave — still sticky and delicious.
Vegetarian option: Swap chicken for crispy tofu or roasted chickpeas with the same spice mix.

A meal so comforting, your therapist might get jealous.

Sticky chicken. Creamy mac. Zero regrets.