This dish brings together two of my most loved comfort foods in one pan — a rich, creamy one-pot mac and cheese topped with my viral crispy honey butter chicken. Everything cooks in the same oven-safe pan, making cleanup incredibly easy.

The mac and cheese is velvety, cheesy, and extra indulgent, while the crispy chicken brings sweetness, heat, and buttery richness. It’s the perfect weekend dinner or family-style meal when you want something fun, impressive, and comforting.

If you want the full dedicated crispy honey butter chicken recipe, you can find it here:

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Two viral favourites in one pan — creamy mac and cheese + crispy honey butter chicken.

• One-pot mac and cheese — no béchamel, no extra dishes. Everything happens in one oven-safe pan.

• Ultra crispy chicken — the cornstarch coating and baking powder give perfect crunch, even after saucing.

• Restaurant-style flavour — buttery, garlicky, sweet, spicy, cheesy… it’s the best flavour combination.

• Easy prep — simple ingredients, beginner-friendly method, and fast cooking time.

Ingredients

For the Crispy Chicken

• 750g chicken breast, cut into bite-sized cubes

• 2 tbsp soy sauce

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 tsp white pepper

• 1 tsp MSG (optional)

• ½ tsp garlic powder

• ½ tsp onion powder

• ¼ tsp baking powder

• 1 egg

• 1 cup cornstarch / cornflour

• Oil for frying

• Sesame seeds & spring onions (for garnish)

For the Honey Butter Sauce

• 4–5 cloves garlic, finely chopped

• 2 tbsp butter (for sautéing garlic)

• 3 tbsp soy sauce

• 1 tbsp sesame oil

• 1 tbsp brown sugar

• 1 tbsp chilli flakes

• ½ tsp garlic powder

• 4–5 tbsp additional butter

• 2 tbsp honey (adjust to taste)

• 2 tbsp cornstarch slurry (2 tbsp cornstarch + ½ cup water)

For the Mac and Cheese

• 3 tbsp butter

• 250 ml double cream

• 250 ml full-fat milk

• 1 block mozzarella, grated

• 1 block gouda, grated

• 1 block yellow cheddar, grated

• (Mix all three cheeses together in one bowl)

• 300g boiled macaroni

Instructions

STEP 1: Prep and Fry the Crispy Chicken

1. In a large bowl, add chicken cubes, soy sauce, salt, white pepper, MSG (optional), garlic powder, onion powder, baking powder, and the egg. Mix well.

2. Add cornstarch and coat the chicken evenly until every piece is fully covered.

3. Heat oil in a pan and fry chicken in batches until golden, crispy, and cooked through.

4. Remove and set aside.

STEP 2: Make the Honey Butter Sauce

1. In the same pan, remove excess oil, keeping about 1–2 tbsp behind.

2. Add 2 tbsp butter and chopped garlic. Sauté on low heat until fragrant.

3. Add soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, chilli flakes, and garlic powder. Mix well.

4. Add the additional butter and honey.

5. Pour in the cornstarch slurry and cook until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.

6. Add the crispy chicken back in and coat fully.

7. Garnish with sesame seeds and spring onions.

8. Remove chicken from the pan and set aside.

STEP 3: Make the One Pot Mac and Cheese (in the same pan!)

1. In the same pan (no need to wash), add 3 tbsp butter and melt on low.

2. Pour in double cream and full-fat milk.

3. Season lightly with salt, pepper, and optional chilli flakes.

4. Cook on low heat until warm and slightly thickened.

5. Add half of the mixed grated cheese and stir until fully melted and smooth.

6. Add boiled macaroni and mix until everything is creamy and well coated.

STEP 4: Bake

1. Spread the mac and cheese evenly in the pan.

2. Top with a generous layer of the remaining grated cheese.

3. Bake at 210°C for 10 minutes, then broil/grill for 5 minutes until golden and bubbly.

STEP 5: Assemble

• Spoon the crispy honey butter chicken on top of the hot mac and cheese.

• Serve immediately while everything is hot, melty, and glossy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q. Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breast?
Yes, absolutely. Thighs will stay juicier and become even crispier. Just cut them into similar bite-sized pieces so they cook evenly.

Q. Can I make the mac and cheese without baking it?
Yes. If you prefer a stovetop version, simply skip the baking step and serve it creamy straight from the pan. Baking gives the crispy golden top, so it’s optional.

Q. Can I prepare the chicken in advance?
You can marinate and fry the chicken earlier, but for best texture, toss it in the honey butter sauce right before serving so it stays crispy.

Q. What cheeses work best for mac and cheese?
A blend of mozzarella, gouda, and cheddar gives the perfect mix of stretchiness, creaminess, and sharp flavor. You can also add parmesan for extra richness.

One Pot Mac and Cheese with Crispy Honey Butter Chicken

a rich, creamy one-pot mac and cheese topped with my viral crispy honey butter chicken

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Course Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine American, Asian, Fusion

Servings 6

Calories 800 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

For the Crispy Chicken

• 750 g chicken breast cut into bite-sized cubes
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp white pepper
• 1 tsp MSG optional
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ¼ tsp baking powder
• 1 egg
• 1 cup cornstarch / cornflour
• Oil for frying
• Sesame seeds & spring onions for garnish

For the Honey Butter Sauce

• 4 –5 cloves garlic finely chopped
• 2 tbsp butter for sautéing garlic
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp chilli flakes
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• 4 –5 tbsp additional butter
• 2 tbsp honey adjust to taste
• 2 tbsp cornstarch slurry 2 tbsp cornstarch + ½ cup water

For the Mac and Cheese

• 3 tbsp butter
• 250 ml double cream
• 250 ml full-fat milk
• 1 block mozzarella grated
• 1 block gouda grated
• 1 block yellow cheddar grated
• Mix all three cheeses together in one bowl
• 300 g boiled macaroni

Instructions

 

• In a large bowl, add chicken cubes, soy sauce, salt, white pepper, MSG (optional), garlic powder, onion powder, baking powder, and the egg. Mix well.
• Add cornstarch and coat the chicken evenly until every piece is fully covered.
• Heat oil in a pan and fry chicken in batches until golden, crispy, and cooked through.
• Remove and set aside.
• In the same pan, remove excess oil, keeping about 1–2 tbsp behind.
• Add 2 tbsp butter and chopped garlic. Sauté on low heat until fragrant.
• Add soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, chilli flakes, and garlic powder. Mix well.
• Add the additional butter and honey.
• Pour in the cornstarch slurry and cook until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
• Add the crispy chicken back in and coat fully.
• Garnish with sesame seeds and spring onions.
• Remove chicken from the pan and set aside.
• In the same pan (no need to wash), add 3 tbsp butter and melt on low.
• Pour in double cream and full-fat milk.
• Season lightly with salt, pepper, and optional chilli flakes.
• Cook on low heat until warm and slightly thickened.
• Add half of the mixed grated cheese and stir until fully melted and smooth.
• Add boiled macaroni and mix until everything is creamy and well coated.
• Spread the mac and cheese evenly in the pan.
• Top with a generous layer of the remaining grated cheese.
• Bake at 210°C for 10 minutes, then broil/grill for 5 minutes until golden and bubbly.
• Spoon the crispy honey butter chicken on top of the hot mac and cheese.
• Serve immediately while everything is hot, melty, and glossy.

Nutrition

Calories: 800kcal

Keyword crispy honey butter chicken, mac and cheese, side dish, thanksgiving, viral recipe

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