Applebee's Mac And Cheese Honey Chicken Recipe (Copycat)
This Applebee’s Mac & Cheese Honey Chicken Recipe (Copycat) is a decadent dish featuring crispy honey-glazed chicken, creamy mac and cheese, and smoky bacon. It perfectly balances sweet, savory, and cheesy flavors, making it an irresistible comfort meal.
4 Servings
Ingredients
For the Mac and Cheese Base:
- 16 ounces spiral pasta
- 25 ounces breaded chicken strips
- 5 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
For the Honey Pepper Sauce:
- ¾ cup honey
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup pineapple juice
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
For the Cheese Sauce:
- 1 stick ½ cup unsalted butter
- 2 cups heavy cream
- ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¾ cup freshly shredded Colby Jack cheese
- 2-3 cloves garlic minced
Instructions
Prepare the Chicken and Pasta
- Follow the package instructions to bake or air-fry the breaded chicken strips until golden and crispy. Simultaneously, cook the pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Prepare the Honey Pepper Sauce
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine honey, brown sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice, lemon juice, vinegar, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce to a simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly. Remove from heat.
Prepare the Cheese Sauce
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter and stir in the heavy cream. Gradually add the Parmesan, mozzarella, and Colby Jack cheese, stirring continuously until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy. Stir in the minced garlic and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Assemble the Dish
- Toss the cooked pasta in the cheese sauce, ensuring it is well coated. Stir in the crumbled bacon for added texture and flavor.
- Take the crispy chicken strips and coat them generously in the honey pepper sauce until evenly glazed.
Serve and Garnish
- Spoon the mac and cheese onto serving plates, then top each portion with honey-glazed chicken strips. Garnish with fresh basil and additional bacon crumbles, if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
To make this dish gluten-free:
- Use gluten-free pasta instead of regular pasta.
- Opt for gluten-free breaded chicken strips, or prepare homemade gluten-free chicken tenders.
- Substitute gluten-free soy sauce in the honey pepper sauce.
- Verify that all seasonings and cheeses are labeled gluten-free.