Crispy Chicken Mac and Cheese with Honey Glazed Chicken
If comfort food had a glow up, this Crispy Chicken Mac and Cheese would be it. Creamy, oven baked mac and cheese layered with sharp cheddar, gouda, and mozzarella, then crowned with sweet and crispy InnovAsian Honey Chicken. It’s rich, cozy, and just indulgent enough to feel like a treat while still being incredibly easy to pull together on a busy night.
The contrast is what makes this dish unforgettable. Silky cheese sauce wrapped around tender pasta, topped with crunchy chicken glazed in a sticky honey sauce that adds just the right amount of sweetness. This is the kind of meal that gets requested again and again, whether you’re feeding family, hosting friends, or just craving something deeply satisfying.
Why You’re Going to Love This Crispy Chicken Mac and Cheese
• Ultra creamy baked mac and cheese with a rich three cheese blend
• Sweet and crispy honey chicken adds texture and bold flavor
• Easy shortcut using InnovAsian Crispy Honey Chicken
• Perfect for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or casual entertaining
• Comfort food that feels elevated without extra effort
Ingredients for Crispy Chicken Mac and Cheese
Creamy Mac and Cheese
Large macaroni, cooked al dente
Half and half, room temperature
Sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Gouda cheese, freshly grated
Mozzarella cheese, shredded
Unsalted butter
All purpose flour
Garlic, minced
Onion powder
Salt
Black pepper
Nutmeg, freshly grated or powdered
Crispy Honey Chicken
InnovAsian Crispy Honey Chicken
How to Make Crispy Honey Chicken
Arrange the prepared chicken pieces in the air fryer tray or basket. Cook according to the package instructions until golden and crispy.
While the chicken cooks, empty the sweet sauce with honey packet into a microwave safe container. Warm the sauce in 10 second intervals until heated through.
Once the chicken is fully cooked, toss or drizzle with the warm honey sauce until evenly coated. Set aside.
How to Make Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese
Preheat your oven to 375F.
In a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter until it begins to bubble slightly. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 to 2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste.
Slowly pour in the half and half, whisking constantly to create a smooth sauce. Continue whisking for 3 to 4 minutes until the sauce thickens. Do not allow it to boil.
Season the sauce with garlic, onion powder, salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
Remove from heat and whisk in one cup of the sharp cheddar, all of the gouda, and half of the mozzarella until fully melted and smooth.
Fold in the cooked macaroni until evenly coated. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and top with the remaining cheeses.
Bake on the middle rack for 15 to 21 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly browned. Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes before assembling.
How to Assemble Crispy Chicken Mac and Cheese
Spoon the baked mac and cheese into serving bowls or keep it family style in the baking dish. Top generously with the crispy honey glazed chicken.
Drizzle with any remaining honey sauce and serve immediately while everything is hot and melty.
Tips for the Best Crispy Chicken Mac and Cheese
• Use freshly grated cheese for the smoothest sauce
• Let the mac and cheese rest before topping to help it set
• Air frying the chicken keeps it extra crispy against the creamy pasta
• Add a pinch of extra black pepper or chili flakes if you like heat
Storage and Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat, warm in the oven at 350F until heated through, covering loosely with foil to prevent drying out. For quicker reheating, microwave individual portions in short intervals, stirring the mac and cheese as needed. Add a splash of milk or half and half to bring back the creaminess.
Crispy Chicken Mac and Cheese FAQ
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes. Prepare the mac and cheese up to baking, refrigerate, then bake fresh when ready to serve. Add the chicken just before serving.
Can I use a different chicken flavor?
Absolutely. InnovAsian offers several crispy chicken options that work beautifully with this mac and cheese base.
Is this good for entertaining?
This dish is a guaranteed crowd pleaser and perfect for casual gatherings, game days, or potlucks.
Crispy Chicken Mac & Cheese
Ingredients
Creamy Mac & Cheese
- 1 lb large macaroni cooked al dente according to packaging
- 1 quart half and half room temp
- 2 cup sharp cheddar shredded
- 1 cup Gouda cheese freshly grated
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
- 5 tbsp unsalted butter
- 6 tbsp all purpose flour
- 1 tsp garlic minced
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg freshly grated or powdered
Crispy Honey Chicken
- 1 18 oz box InnovAsian Crispy Honey Chicken
Instructions
Crispy Honey Chicken
- Arrange the prepared chicken pieces in the air fryer tray or basket and follow the cooking instructions included in the packaging.
- While those cook, grab the sweet sauce with honey packet and empty it into a microwave-safe container. Microwave in 10 second intervals until warm.
- Once the chicken is cooked and crispy, dress with the sweet sauce with honey.
Creamy Mac & Cheese
- Preheat oven to 375F.
- In a pot over medium heat, melt the butter. Once bubbling slightly, whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Slowly pour in the half-and-half, whisking continuously to create a smooth mixture with no lumps.
- Continue whisking until the sauce thickens, about 3-4 minutes. Do not let it come to a boil, as this may cause it to break and scorch at the bottom of the pan.
- Season with garlic, salt, onion powder, nutmeg and pepper.
- Remove from heat and whisk in one cup of the sharp cheddar, the gouda cheese and half of the mozzarella cheese.
- Fold in the cooked macaroni until combined. Top evenly with the remaining cheeses.
- Place on the middle rack in the preheated oven and cook for 15-21 minutes. Look for the cheese to be melted, browned and bubbling throughout.
- Once cooked, remove from oven and let cool for 5-10 minutes.
Assemble
- Top the cooked Mac and cheese with the crispy sauced honey chicken. Drizzle with any remaining sauce and enjoy!
