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Hot Honey Wings and Shrimp Mac & Cheese

A decadent comfort food combo featuring crispy chicken wings drenched in a spicy-sweet hot honey glaze, served alongside creamy, cheesy baked mac and cheese loaded with tender shrimp.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Soul Food
Calories: 1150

Ingredients
  

Hot Honey Wings
  • 2 lbs chicken wings flats and drumettes
  • 1 tbsp baking powder aluminum-free
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 0.5 cup pure honey
  • 2 tbsp hot sauce like Frank's RedHot
  • 1 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp unsalted butter for glaze
Shrimp Mac and Cheese
  • 1 lb raw medium shrimp peeled, deveined, tails removed
  • 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter for cooking shrimp
  • 1 lb cavatappi pasta
  • 0.25 cup unsalted butter for roux
  • 0.25 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups whole milk warmed
  • 1 cup heavy cream warmed
  • 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese freshly grated
  • 1 cup smoked Gouda cheese freshly grated
  • 2 oz cream cheese softened
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley chopped, for garnish

Equipment

  • Baking sheet and wire rack
  • Large heavy-bottomed pot
  • Medium skillet
  • Cheese Grater

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Pat chicken wings dry. Toss with baking powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Bake on a wire rack over a foil-lined sheet for 45-50 minutes until crispy, flipping halfway.
  2. In a small saucepan, simmer honey, hot sauce, red pepper flakes, and apple cider vinegar for 3-4 minutes. Whisk in 1 tbsp butter. Set glaze aside.
  3. Melt 2 tbsp butter in a skillet. Season shrimp with Old Bay and cook for 1-2 minutes per side until pink. Remove from pan and set aside.
  4. Boil cavatappi pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain, but do not rinse.
  5. In a large pot, melt 1/4 cup butter. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to form a roux. Gradually whisk in warmed milk and heavy cream. Simmer until thickened (about 5 mins).
  6. Remove pot from heat. Stir in softened cream cheese, then gradually fold in grated cheddar and gouda until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
  7. Fold the cooked pasta and cooked shrimp into the cheese sauce until well coated.
  8. Toss the baked crispy wings in the hot honey glaze until completely drenched.
  9. Serve the hot honey wings and shrimp mac and cheese side-by-side in bowls. Garnish with chopped parsley.

Notes

Always dry your wings thoroughly before coating with baking powder to ensure maximum crispiness in the oven.