Honey Pepper Mac Cheese (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ Base

01 - 16 oz spiral pasta
02 - salt and pepper, add as you like
03 - crumbled bacon from 5 cooked slices
04 - handful of fresh basil leaves
05 - 25 oz frozen breaded chicken tenders

→ Honey Pepper Sauce

06 - 1 tablespoon white vinegar
07 - juice from 1 fresh lemon
08 - ¼ cup pineapple juice, unsweetened
09 - ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
10 - 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
11 - ¾ cup honey
12 - 3 tablespoons soy sauce, low sodium
13 - ¼ teaspoon cayenne powder

→ Cheese Sauce

14 - 2 to 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
15 - 1 cup mozzarella, freshly grated
16 - ½ cup parmesan cheese, shredded
17 - ¾ cup colby jack cheese, shredded fresh
18 - 1 stick softened butter
19 - 2 cups heavy whipping cream

# Instructions:

01 - Boil the pasta and cook the chicken strips to match their package directions.
02 - Stir all sauce ingredients together in a medium pan. Let it boil, then simmer for about 15 minutes until it thickens.
03 - Heat the butter and cream. Stir cheeses in one-by-one till melted, then toss in garlic. Sprinkle in a little salt and pepper.
04 - Mix the cheese sauce with your pasta and bacon pieces. Coat chicken strips in the honey and pepper sauce.
05 - Arrange the saucy chicken strips on top of the pasta. Finish off with basil leaves and, if you’d like, toss in a little extra bacon.

# Notes:

01 - Inspired by a popular restaurant dish
02 - Homemade or frozen chicken strips both work fine
03 - Try shredding your own cheese for better results

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