Post by @aronemerson4

🍯🥓 Hot Honey Bacon Chicken Mac & Cheese Bake 🧀🔥 Creamy mac and cheese meets crispy bacon, juicy seasoned chicken, and a sweet-spicy hot honey drizzle. It’s cheesy, smoky, slightly spicy, and exactly the kind of American comfort-food dinner that disappears fast. Ingredients For the Chicken * 1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces * 1 tbsp olive oil * 1 tsp smoked paprika * 1 tsp garlic powder * ½ tsp onion powder * ½ tsp salt * ½ tsp black pepper For the Mac & Cheese * 16 oz elbow macaroni * 4 tbsp butter * 4 tbsp all-purpose flour * 3 cups whole milk * 1 cup heavy cream * 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar * 1½ cups shredded Monterey Jack * ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan * ½ tsp garlic powder * ½ tsp smoked paprika * Salt and black pepper For the Topping * 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled * 1 cup shredded cheddar * ½ cup panko breadcrumbs * 2 tbsp melted butter * 2 green onions, sliced For the Hot Honey * ⅓ cup honey * 1–2 tsp hot sauce * ½ tsp red pepper flakes * 1 tsp apple cider vinegar Instructions 1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). 2. Cook the macaroni until just al dente, then drain. 3. Season the chicken with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. 4. Heat olive oil in a skillet and cook the chicken for 6–8 minutes, until golden and cooked through. Set aside. 5. Melt butter in a large saucepan. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute. 6. Slowly whisk in the milk and heavy cream. 7. Simmer until slightly thickened, then reduce the heat. 8. Add cheddar, Monterey Jack, Parmesan, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth and creamy. 9. Fold in the macaroni, chicken, and most of the crispy bacon. 10. Transfer everything to a baking dish. 11. Sprinkle with the remaining cheddar. 12. Mix panko with melted butter and scatter it over the cheese. 13. Bake for 15–20 minutes, until bubbling with a golden crispy top. 14. Meanwhile, warm the honey, hot sauce, red pepper flakes, and apple cider vinegar for about 1 minute. 15. Finish the casserole with the remaining bacon, green onions, and a generous drizzle of hot honey. Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 35 minutes Total Time: 55 minutes Servings: 6–8 🔥 Video moment: Lift a big spoonful while it’s hot so the melted cheese stretches, then drizzle the hot honey over it in slow motion. #MacAndCheese #HotHoneyChicken #BaconRecipes #ComfortFood #DinnerIdeas