Easy Homemade Chicken & Waffle Sliders Recipe for Sweet Brunch

Crispy chicken nestled between golden waffle sliders promises a delightful culinary adventure.

Bite-sized portions pack maximum flavor into every mouthwatering morsel.

Southern comfort meets playful innovation in this crowd-pleasing appetizer.

Miniature waffles create the perfect golden cradle for succulent fried chicken.

Unexpected textures and complementary tastes dance across your palate with each incredible bite.

Sweet and savory notes intertwine in a harmonious symphony of deliciousness.

You’ll want to serve these irresistible sliders at your next gathering to wow hungry guests.

Chicken & Waffle Sliders Recipe That Combines Savory and Sweet

• Combine crispy fried chicken with sweet waffles for a beloved southern-style dish that delights kids and adults alike, making it ideal for game days or casual gatherings.
• Easily adjust spice levels by tweaking cayenne pepper or swap hot honey for classic maple syrup, allowing personal taste preferences to shine through.
• Use convenient mini waffles and simple pantry spices to create restaurant-quality sliders without complex cooking techniques, ensuring anyone can nail this recipe with minimal kitchen skills.

Ingredients Checklist for Chicken & Waffle Sliders Recipe

• Chicken Breasts: Main protein with crispy, crunchy exterior and tender meat inside. Boneless and skinless recommended for even cooking.
• Egg: Helps create a sticky coating for the chicken and ensures breading adheres well.

• All-Purpose Flour: Primary breading component for creating a crispy chicken exterior. Use fresh, clean flour.
• Salt, Black Pepper, Garlic Powder, Paprika, Cayenne: Spice blend for enhancing chicken's flavor profile. Freshly ground spices preferred.
• Buttermilk: Provides tangy flavor and helps tenderize chicken. Whole buttermilk recommended for richer taste.

• Mini Waffles: Light base for slider that adds sweet contrast. Frozen or homemade versions work well.
• Butter: Used for toasting waffles and adding richness. Unsalted butter preferred.
• Maple Syrup or Hot Honey: Sweet finishing touch that complements chicken's savory flavor. Pure maple syrup recommended.

• Vegetable Oil: Used for frying chicken to golden perfection. Neutral-flavored oil with high smoke point.
• Paper Towels: Helps drain excess oil from fried chicken for crispier texture.

How to Build Chicken & Waffle Sliders Recipe

Step 1: Season And Coat Chicken

• Flour
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Paprika
• Cayenne pepper
• Egg
• Buttermilk
• Vegetable oil

Mix dry spices in one bowl. Whisk egg and buttermilk in another bowl. Dunk chicken pieces into buttermilk mixture, then thoroughly coat with seasoned flour. Heat oil in a skillet until it reaches sizzling temperature. Cook chicken pieces for 3-4 minutes on each side until they turn golden and develop a crispy exterior. Transfer cooked chicken to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil.

Step 2: Prepare Crispy Waffle Bases

Toast mini waffles in a buttered skillet or toaster until they become golden brown and wonderfully crisp.

Step 3: Build Delectable Sliders

Place a perfectly fried chicken piece on one waffle. Drizzle with maple syrup or spicy honey. Crown with a second waffle and secure using a toothpick.

Step 4: Serve And Savor

Plate the sliders while warm. Offer additional syrup on the side for extra indulgence.

Tips for Crisp Waffles and Juicy Chicken in This Recipe

• Master the Crunch: Ensure oil is precisely at 350F for perfectly crispy chicken without burning.
• Batter Brilliance: Double-dip chicken in buttermilk and flour mixture for extra thick, crunchy coating.
• Waffle Wisdom: Butter skillet lightly when toasting waffles to prevent sticking and add rich flavor.
• Spice Spectrum: Adjust cayenne pepper to control heat level- start with less for milder version.
• Gluten-Free Hack: Replace wheat flour with gluten-free flour blend for celiac-friendly sliders.

Storage Instructions for Chicken & Waffle Sliders Recipe

• Store leftover sliders in an airtight container for up to 3 days, keeping them fresh and delicious.
• Warm sliders at 350F for 10-12 minutes, restoring crispiness and bringing back their original glory.
• Quickly heat sliders for 30-45 seconds, but expect slightly softer texture compared to oven method.
• Consume within 2 days for maximum flavor and texture quality, enjoying the crispy chicken and sweet waffles.

Perfect Pairings with Chicken & Waffle Sliders Recipe

• Craft a zesty bourbon-based drink with cayenne-infused simple syrup to complement the spicy chicken's heat and match the recipe's Southern-inspired flavor profile.
• Select a chilled, slightly dry hard apple cider that cuts through the slider's richness while echoing the sweet maple notes and providing a bright, clean palate cleanser.
• Prepare a tangy, creamy coleslaw with a hint of apple cider vinegar to balance the slider's richness and add textural contrast with its cool, crunchy vegetables.
• Top sliders with quick-pickled jalapeño slices to enhance the spice profile, add a zesty crunch, and create additional flavor complexity that elevates the entire dish.

Chicken & Waffle Sliders Recipe Variations You’ll Want to Try

• Gluten-Free Chicken & Waffle Sliders: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for a celiac-friendly version.
• Low-Carb Keto Option: Swap waffles with cauliflower waffles or crispy cheese rounds to reduce carbohydrate content while maintaining savory flavor.
• Spicy Cajun Remix: Add extra cayenne pepper to the chicken coating and use a spicy hot honey instead of traditional maple syrup for a zesty kick.
• Vegetarian Alternative: Substitute chicken with breaded plant-based chicken alternatives like tofu or seitan, keeping the same crispy coating technique.

Questions About Chicken & Waffle Sliders Recipe

• What type of chicken works best for this recipe?

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs or chicken tenders are ideal because they’re tender, juicy, and cook quickly, ensuring a crispy exterior and moist interior.

• How do I keep the fried chicken crispy?

After frying, let the chicken rest on a wire rack instead of paper towels to prevent steam from making the coating soggy. This helps maintain the crispy texture.

• Can I make the components ahead of time?

You can fry the chicken and prepare the waffles in advance. Store them separately in the refrigerator and reheat in a 350°F oven for a few minutes before assembling the sliders to maintain their crispness.

• What's the secret to perfectly seasoned chicken?

The key is to create a well-balanced seasoning mix. Mix your dry spices thoroughly before coating the chicken, ensuring each piece gets an even, flavorful layer of seasoning.

Chicken & Waffle Sliders Recipe

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4.6 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Mouthwatering chicken & waffle sliders promise southern comfort with crispy breaded chicken nestled between golden miniature waffles. Savory-sweet flavors and delightful textures create an irresistible bite you’ll crave at brunch or game day gatherings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into 8 small pieces)

Dry Ingredients:

• 1 cup (120 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

Wet Ingredients and Toppings:

• 1 egg
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) buttermilk (or regular milk + 1 teaspoon vinegar)
• 1 cup vegetable oil (for frying)
• 16 mini waffles (store-bought or homemade)
• 2 tablespoons butter (for toasting)
• ¼ cup maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons hot honey (optional, for spice)
• 8 mini skewers or toothpicks

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Instructions

1. Create a seasoned flour mixture by combining flour with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and cayenne in a shallow dish, ensuring even distribution of spices.
2. Whisk egg and buttermilk together in a separate bowl to create a smooth, consistent coating liquid for the chicken.
3. Thoroughly coat each chicken piece first in the buttermilk mixture, allowing excess to drip off, then carefully dredge in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing gently to ensure complete coverage.
4. Heat vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed skillet to 350F, maintaining a consistent temperature for even frying.
5. Carefully place battered chicken into the hot oil, cooking each side for 3-4 minutes until achieving a deep golden-brown crust and ensuring internal temperature reaches 165F.
6. Transfer fried chicken to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil and maintain crispiness.
7. Prepare mini waffles by toasting in a skillet with a touch of butter or using a toaster, aiming for a crisp, golden exterior.
8. Construct sliders by placing a crispy chicken piece on one waffle half, then drizzling with maple syrup or hot honey for added flavor complexity.
9. Complete the slider by topping with a second waffle and securing with a toothpick to maintain structural integrity.
10. Serve immediately while warm, accompanied by additional syrup for optional extra drizzling.

Notes

• Use cold buttermilk for ultra-crispy chicken coating that helps breading stick perfectly.
• Maintain consistent oil temperature around 350F to prevent greasy or undercooked chicken.
• Create gluten-free version by substituting regular flour with almond or rice flour for a lighter texture.
• Allow chicken to rest on paper towels for maximum crispiness and excess oil absorption before assembling sliders.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 660
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 38 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 25 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 62 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg