🍗 High-Protein Honey BBQ Chicken Mac & Cheese

@jalalsamfit

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A creamy, protein-packed mac & cheese with sticky honey BBQ chicken and a refreshing coleslaw, balancing richness with a crisp, tangy crunch. Perfect for meal prep or a comforting high-protein meal.

⏰ Total Time: ~35 mins (10 mins prep time, 25 mins cook time)

💰 Total cost (2 servings) ≈ £6.30

🍽️ Cost per serving ≈ £3.15

This is an approximate calculation, but it should give you a good idea of the cost of making these 2 servings. The cost per meal comes down significantly when buying ingredients in larger quantities, especially for pantry staples like olive oil, spices, and seasonings.

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Ingredients (2 servings)

🍗 For the Honey BBQ Chicken:

• 400g boneless, skinless chicken breast
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp honey
• 40g sugar-free BBQ sauce

🧀 For the Mac & Cheese:

• 160g macaroni (dry weight, wholewheat preferred)
• 175ml fat-free evaporated milk
• 40g light cream cheese
• 1 tsp chicken stock powder
• 55g grated cheddar cheese

🥗 For the Coleslaw:

• 1 small carrot, grated
• ½ small red cabbage, finely shredded
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 2 tbsp Greek yoghurt
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. 🔪 Prep the Food

• Marinate the Chicken: Dice the chicken breast into bite-sized pieces. In a bowl, mix with salt, onion powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and olive oil. Let the chicken marinate for 10 minutes.

• Prep the Vegetables: Grate the carrot and finely shred the red cabbage. Set aside for the coleslaw.

2. 🍜 Boil the Pasta

• Bring 1.2-1.5 litres of water to a boil in a large pot.
• Add 160g of macaroni and cook for 8-10 minutes, or until al dente.
• Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
• Drain once cooked and set aside.

3. 🍗 Air Fry the Chicken

• Preheat the air fryer to 200°C (390°F).
• Place marinated chicken into the air fryer basket in a single layer.
• Cook for 12 minutes, shaking halfway
• In a small bowl, mix honey and BBQ sauce. Toss the cooked chicken in the sauce, then return it to the air fryer.
• Cook for 2 more minutes to allow the glaze to caramelise.

4. 🧀 Make the Cheese Sauce

• In a pot, heat the evaporated milk over low heat.
• Stir in cream cheese and chicken stock powder until fully melted.
• Add grated cheddar cheese, stirring until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
• Mix in the drained macaroni, stirring until well coated.

5. 🥗 Make the Coleslaw

• In a bowl, whisk together Greek yoghurt, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, salt, and black pepper.
• Add the grated carrot and shredded red cabbage, tossing to coat in the dressing.
• Let it sit for a few minutes to allow the flavours to develop.

6. 🍽️ Serve & Enjoy

• Divide the mac & cheese, honey BBQ chicken, and coleslaw into 2 portions.
• Store in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Reheat mac & cheese in the microwave with a splash of milk to maintain creaminess.

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Health Benefits of the Dish

💡 Tips & Variations

🌶️ Spice it Up – Add chilli flakes, a dash of hot sauce, or smoked chipotle powder to the BBQ chicken for extra heat.

🥬 Lower-Carb Option – Swap mac & cheese for cauliflower mac, use courgette noodles, or serve with a side of sautéed greens.

🧀 Extra Cheese? – Top with an extra sprinkle of cheddar or mix in a bit of Parmesan for a deeper flavour.

🍯 Sweeter BBQ Sauce? – Increase honey to 30g for a richer glaze, or add a splash of maple syrup for a different sweetness.

🔥 Smokier Flavour – Add smoked paprika to the BBQ sauce or grill the chicken over charcoal for a deeper, smoky taste.

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