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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!

Ingredients

Scale

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

Instructions

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

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