Copycat Applebee’s Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese

There’s something magical about recreating your favorite restaurant dishes at home. The satisfaction of nailing those familiar flavors, the joy of sharing them with family, and yes—the money you save in the process.

This Copycat Applebee’s Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese brings all that restaurant magic straight to your kitchen, complete with tender chicken strips glazed in a sweet-and-spicy honey pepper sauce, nestled on top of the creamiest, most indulgent mac and cheese you’ve ever tasted.

What makes this dish so irresistible? It’s the perfect storm of comfort food elements. Creamy, cheesy pasta forms the foundation, while crispy bacon adds that smoky crunch we all crave.

Then comes the star—succulent chicken strips bathed in a honey pepper glaze that’s both sweet and fiery, creating a flavor combination that’s absolutely addictive.

What Makes This Recipe So Special?

Unlike your average mac and cheese, this copycat recipe layers multiple flavor profiles into one incredible dish. The honey pepper sauce alone is a masterpiece—combining the sweetness of honey with the tang of pineapple juice, the umami depth of soy sauce, and just enough heat to keep things interesting. It’s not just a sauce; it’s a flavor journey.

The cheese sauce takes a different approach than traditional recipes. Instead of creating a roux with flour, this version relies on the natural creaminess of butter and heavy cream, allowing the pasta to absorb every bit of that rich, cheesy goodness without becoming dry or clumpy.

Three different cheeses—parmesan, mozzarella, and colby jack—each contribute their own unique characteristics to create a complex, restaurant-quality sauce.

Ingredients Needed for the Recipe

For the Base:

• 1 16 oz box spiral noodles
• 1 25 oz. bag breaded chicken strips
• 5 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh basil for garnish

For the Honey Pepper Sauce:

• 3/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
• 1/4 cup pineapple juice
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 tablespoon vinegar
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

For the Cheese Sauce:

• 1 stick butter
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, freshly shredded
• 3/4 cup colby jack cheese, freshly shredded
• 2-3 cloves minced garlic
• Chopped fresh basil

How to make Copycat Applebee’s Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese?

Prepare the Chicken Foundation

Start by getting your chicken strips ready—this is your protein powerhouse. Whether you’re using frozen breaded strips or making your own from scratch, cook them according to package directions until they’re golden and crispy.

Baking works beautifully at 400°F, or you can deep fry for extra crispiness. Set these aside once cooked; they’ll get their flavor bath later.

Cook the Pasta to Perfection

While your chicken is cooking, get that water boiling for your spiral noodles. The spiral shape isn’t just for looks—those curves and ridges grab onto the cheese sauce like nobody’s business. Cook according to package directions, but aim for just shy of al dente since the pasta will continue cooking slightly when mixed with the hot cheese sauce.

Create the Honey Pepper Magic

Here’s where the real magic happens. In a medium saucepan, combine all your honey pepper sauce ingredients—honey, brown sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice, lemon juice, vinegar, black pepper, and cayenne.

Bring this beautiful mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring often to prevent any sticking or burning.

Don’t panic if the sauce seems thin while it’s simmering—this is normal! The thickening happens as it cools, so resist the urge to keep cooking it forever. Remove it from heat and let it cool slightly; you’ll watch it transform into that glossy, coating-perfect consistency.

Master the Cheese Sauce Technique

Time for the cheese sauce that’ll make you forget every boxed version you’ve ever had. In a large pan, melt your butter and heavy cream together over medium heat. This creates your creamy base without the need for flour—genius, right?

Add the Cheeses Like a Pro

Once your butter and cream are perfectly melted and combined, it’s time for the cheese parade. Add each cheese one at a time—start with the parmesan, then the mozzarella, and finish with the colby jack.

Stir after each addition to ensure even melting. This gradual approach prevents clumping and creates the silkiest sauce possible.

Season and Combine

Stir in your minced garlic and season with salt and pepper to taste. Remember, you’ve got bacon and cheese adding saltiness, so taste as you go. Add your cooked pasta directly to this cheese sauce along with your crumbled bacon, stirring everything together until every spiral is coated in creamy goodness.

Glaze the Chicken

Now comes the fun part—take each chicken strip and dip it into your cooled honey pepper sauce, making sure it’s completely coated.

The sauce should cling beautifully to the breaded surface, creating that signature glazed look that makes this dish so visually stunning.

Bring It All Together

When you’re ready to serve, dish up generous portions of the cheesy pasta and bacon mixture, then top with your glazed chicken strips.

Finish with a sprinkle of fresh chopped basil and maybe a bit more crumbled bacon if you’re feeling indulgent—because why not?

Can You Make This Dish Healthier?

While this copycat recipe is definitely an indulgent treat, there are ways to lighten it up without sacrificing too much flavor. Consider using whole wheat pasta for added fiber and nutrients.

You could substitute half-and-half for some of the heavy cream, though you’ll lose some richness. Grilled chicken breast strips instead of breaded ones will cut calories significantly, and turkey bacon can replace regular bacon for less fat.

The honey pepper sauce is naturally lighter than many other glazes since it doesn’t rely on oil or butter for its base.

You could even reduce the honey slightly and add a bit of sugar-free sweetener if you’re watching sugar intake, though the flavor profile will change slightly.

Tips

The key to perfect honey pepper sauce is patience and attention. Keep your heat at a gentle simmer—too high and you’ll risk burning the honey, which creates bitter flavors.

Stir frequently, especially during the last few minutes of cooking. If your sauce seems too thick after cooling, you can thin it with a tablespoon of pineapple juice or water.

For the cheese sauce, freshly shredded cheese makes all the difference. Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can prevent smooth melting. It takes a few extra minutes to shred your own, but the silky results are worth every second.

Temperature control is crucial throughout this recipe. Keep your cheese sauce on low heat once the cheeses are added—too much heat will cause the proteins to seize up and create a grainy texture. If this happens, remove from heat immediately and whisk in a splash of cold cream.

Don’t skip the resting period for the honey pepper sauce. It needs those few minutes off the heat to reach its proper consistency. Use this time to finish up other components of the dish.

How Long Does This Dish Keep?

This Copycat Applebee’s Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese is definitely best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days. The pasta will absorb more of the sauce as it sits, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing—just different from the original texture.

When reheating, add a splash of milk or cream to loosen the sauce back up. The microwave works for individual portions, but for larger amounts, gentle reheating on the stovetop with a bit of additional liquid gives better results. The chicken strips can be reheated separately and added on top to maintain their texture, or you can warm everything together if you prefer softer chicken.

The honey pepper sauce can be made up to a week ahead and stored in the refrigerator. It actually develops more complex flavors after a day or two, so this component is great for meal prep. Just warm it gently before using.

This recipe creates a restaurant-quality experience that costs a fraction of what you’d pay for individual servings at Applebee’s. It serves a crowd, making it perfect for family dinners, casual entertaining, or meal prep for the week. The combination of sweet, spicy, creamy, and savory elements creates a dish that satisfies on every level—comfort food at its absolute finest.

Print Recipe

Copycat Applebee’s Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese

Author: Elly Cooking Method: Baking, Simmering Cuisine: American Courses: Main Course Recipe Keys: C Cheese Lovers C Chicken Pasta C Comfort Food C Copycat Recipes

Difficulty: easy Prep Time 15 mins Cook Time 30 mins Total Time 45 mins

Servings: 6 Estimated Cost: $ 14 Calories: 720

Best Season: Fall, Winter, Spring

Description

Fan of your favorite restaurant recipes but want to make them at home? This Copycat Applebee’s Honey Pepper Mac and Cheese is the perfect copycat recipe. Filled with creamy mac and cheese, crispy chicken, and smoky bacon, all topped with a sweet and spicy honey pepper glaze, it's completely addicting! This indulgent, flavor-packed dish brings the taste of Applebee’s straight to your kitchen with simple ingredients and easy steps.

Ingredients

Servings

Main Components

• 1 box (16 oz) spiral noodles (or elbow macaroni)
• 1 bag (25 oz) breaded chicken strips (frozen or fresh; can substitute grilled chicken)
• 5 slices bacon (cooked and crumbled)
• Salt and pepper (to taste)
• Fresh basil (chopped, for garnish)

Honey Pepper Sauce

• ³⁄₄ cup honey
• ¹⁄₄ cup light brown sugar
• 3 Tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
• ¹⁄₄ cup pineapple juice
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 Tbsp vinegar (white or apple cider)
• 1 tsp black pepper
• ¹⁄₄ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)

Cheese Sauce

• 1 stick (1/2 cup) butter
• 2 cups heavy cream (can substitute half-and-half for lighter version)
• ¹⁄₂ cup shredded parmesan cheese
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese (freshly shredded)
• ³⁄₄ cup colby jack cheese (freshly shredded)
• 2-3 cloves garlic (minced)
• Fresh basil (chopped, for flavor)

Instructions

1. Cook the chicken

   Bake or deep fry the breaded chicken strips according to package directions until golden and crispy. Set aside.
   You can also grill or pan-sear homemade chicken breasts and slice them into strips.
   Mark as complete

2. Cook the pasta

   Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spiral noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
   Mark as complete

3. Make the honey pepper sauce

   In a medium saucepan, combine honey, brown sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice, lemon juice, vinegar, black pepper, and cayenne. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring often. Remove from heat and let cool slightly to thicken.
   Sauce will thicken more as it cools.
   Mark as complete

4. Prepare the cheese sauce

   In a large saucepan, melt butter and heavy cream together over medium heat. Gradually add parmesan, mozzarella, and colby jack cheeses, one at a time, stirring until fully melted and smooth.
   Add minced garlic and fresh basil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
   Mark as complete

5. Combine pasta and cheese sauce

   Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and stir to coat evenly. Mix in the crumbled bacon.
   Mark as complete

6. Coat the chicken

   Dip each cooked chicken strip into the honey pepper sauce until fully coated. Set aside on a plate.
   Mark as complete

7. Serve

   Divide the mac and cheese among serving plates. Top each with 3-4 honey pepper chicken strips. Garnish with chopped fresh basil and extra bacon if desired.
   Serve immediately for best texture.
   Mark as complete

Nutrition Facts

Servings 6

Serving Size 1 1/2 cups

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Amount Per Serving

Calories 720kcal

% Daily Value *

Total Fat 34g53%

Saturated Fat 18g90%

Trans Fat 0.5g

Cholesterol 135mg45%

Sodium 980mg41%

Potassium 520mg15%

Total Carbohydrate 78g26%

Dietary Fiber 3g12%

Sugars 22g

Protein 32g64%

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Calcium 45 mg

Iron 3 mg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

• Sauce thickness: The honey pepper sauce will thicken as it cools. Don’t over-simmer—remove from heat after 15 minutes and let it rest.
• Whisk often: Stir the sauce frequently to prevent boiling over and ensure even flavor.
• Fresh cheese: Use freshly shredded cheese for the smoothest sauce. Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can make the sauce grainy.
• Make it healthier: Use grilled chicken, turkey bacon, and whole wheat pasta to lighten it up.
• Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Reheating: Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of milk or cream to restore creaminess.
• Serving suggestion: Pair with a crisp green salad or steamed broccoli to balance the richness.

Keywords: honey pepper chicken mac and cheese, applebee's copycat, honey pepper mac and cheese, chicken mac and cheese recipe, copycat restaurant recipes, cheesy pasta with chicken