Hot Honey Chicken and Waffles
Hot honey chicken and waffles is the ultimate sweet and spicy brunch dish. Crispy fried chicken, fluffy buttermilk waffles, and a bold hot honey glaze come together to create a perfect balance of flavor and texture. Whether you’re making this for a weekend brunch or a special dinner, this recipe guarantees restaurant-quality results!
- Author: miya.sizzle
- Prep Time: 4 hours
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 4h30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Brunch
- Cuisine: American
For the Fried Chicken:
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (or boneless tenders)
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 quart vegetable oil (for frying)
For the Buttermilk Waffles:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1¾ cups buttermilk
- ¼ cup melted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Hot Honey Glaze:
- ½ cup honey (raw or clover)
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce (Frank’s RedHot or similar)
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon butter
1. Marinate the Chicken:
- In a bowl, whisk together buttermilk, paprika, garlic powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper.
- Add the chicken pieces and submerge them completely.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours (overnight for best flavor).
2. Fry the Chicken:
- Heat vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C) in a deep fryer or cast-iron skillet.
- In a separate bowl, combine flour, salt, and black pepper.
- Remove chicken from buttermilk marinade and dredge in flour mixture, ensuring an even coat.
- Fry the chicken for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
- Drain on a wire rack and let rest for 5 minutes.
3. Make the Waffles:
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, beat eggs, buttermilk, melted butter, and vanilla extract.
- Gradually mix the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until just combined.
- Preheat your waffle iron and cook waffles until golden and crispy.
4. Prepare the Hot Honey Glaze:
- In a small saucepan over low heat, warm the honey, hot sauce, cayenne, and smoked paprika.
- Stir in butter for extra richness.
- Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
5. Assemble & Serve:
- Place a fresh waffle on a plate.
- Top with a crispy fried chicken piece.
- Drizzle generously with hot honey glaze.
- Serve with extra honey, butter, or fresh herbs for garnish.
Notes
- Extra Crispy Chicken: Double dredge the chicken for an even crunchier coating.
- For Spicier Honey: Add more cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the hot honey glaze.
- Make It Healthier: Use air-fried chicken instead of deep-fried.
- Storage & Reheating: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat waffles in a toaster oven and chicken in an air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for crispiness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Waffle + 1 Chicken Piece + Hot Honey Glaze
- Calories: 650 kcal
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
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