Description
A cozy and comforting dish that combines creamy mac and cheese with tender honey pepper chicken, perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 oz Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
- 3/4 cup Wholesome Yum Keto Honey Substitute
- 1/4 cup 100% Pineapple Juice
- 1/4 cup Light Soy Sauce
- 2 tbsp Splenda Brown Sugar
- 3 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1/3 tsp Black Pepper
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp Onion Powder
- 1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper
- 8 oz Al Dente Carba Nada Cavatappi (dry)
- 3/8 cup Lite Shredded Mozzarella (Trader Joe’s)
- 3/8 cup Lite Shredded 3 Cheese Blend (Trader Joe’s)
- 2 wedges Light Laughing Cow Creamy Cheese
- 2 tbsp Grated Parmesan
- 1–1/2 slices Velveeta Cheese
- 1/2 cup Fat Free Evaporated Milk
- 1 tsp Black Pepper
Instructions
- Start by cutting your chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces and placing them in a bowl. Set aside.
- In a small saucepan, whisk together the sauce ingredients: honey substitute, pineapple juice, light soy sauce, Splenda brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar. Bring to a quick boil, then turn off the heat.
- Pour just less than half of your sauce over the chicken, mix well, and place the bowl in the fridge to marinate for 15-30 minutes.
- While your chicken is marinating, grate your parmesan, measure out the shredded cheeses, open your cheese wedges, and tear the Velveeta. Set aside.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Air fry the marinated chicken in two batches for 15 minutes each, remembering to move the chicken pieces around halfway through for even cooking.
- Once done, transfer your cooked chicken into a clean mixing bowl.
- While the first batch of chicken is cooking, start boiling your cavatappi pasta in a separate pot according to package instructions.
- Once your pasta is cooked and drained, return it to the pot. Pour in the fat-free evaporated milk and add all your cheeses along with the additional 1 tsp of black pepper. Stir until the cheeses are fully melted and creamy.
- Quickly reheat the remaining sauce and pour it over the cooked chicken, mixing until every piece is well-coated.
- It’s time to assemble! Start filling your lunch containers with a generous portion of pasta, topped with the honey pepper chicken. If you like, finish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a pop of color!
Notes
This dish is make-ahead friendly, and leftovers taste great the next day. Store in an airtight container for up to three days.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 100mg