Crispy Honey Chicken and Waffles
Step on up for this Southern brunch favorite that you can serve any time of day! Crispy, golden fried buttermilk chicken and fluffy slightly savory waffles are a match made in culinary heaven!
Equipment
- 1 large frying pan or wok
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 2 each chicken breasts large, cut into 2 inch chunks
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
- 3 each eggs large
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- vegetable oil for frying
For the Honey Butter Sauce:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 tsp cayenne
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked ground paprika
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
For the Waffles:
- 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 each eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- syrup for serving
Instructions
- Dry the chicken and then cut into 2" chunks. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and eggs. In a second large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and garlic powder.
- Place a cooling rack on a baking sheet. Dredge the chicken through the flour mixture, then in the buttermilk, and again through the flour mixture until each piece is well coating. Transfer the chicken to the cooling rack when done and keep going until all the chicken is coated.
- Fill your large frying pan or wok with vegetable oil until it's about 2" deep. Heat over medium heat until the oil is shimmering. You'll want to cook the chicken when the oil is at 325F or better.
- Carefully add chicken in batches to the pan with tongs and cook for about 6-8 minutes per batch, turning the chicken every 1-2 minutes. Cook until the chicken is golden brown and has an internal temp of 165F. Transfer to a clean rack for cooling. Keep going until all the chicken is cooked.
- Melt the butter for the sauce either in a small saucepan or in the microwave, and whisk in the honey and spices until well combined. Use a brush to coat each piece of chicken with sauce, and serve some extra on the side - because people will want more!
- For the waffles, beat the eggs in a large bowl until creamy and whisk in the flour and other dry ingredients. In a small bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and whisk until combined.
- Heat your waffle iron and spray with non-stick spray.
- When the waffle iron is ready, pour about 1/2 cup batter into the waffle mold, or whatever your waffle iron takes, and cook according to the waffle iron's directions.
- Serve waffles topped with fried chicken, maple syrup, and extra honey butter sauce!