Save A playful and satisfying dish featuring tender, crispy chicken tenders nestled inside golden, fluffy waffles—perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a fun appetizer.
I first made these chicken waffle sticks for a weekend brunch, and everyone loved how easy they were to eat and how crispy they stayed. The kids especially enjoyed dipping them in syrup, making it a true winner for family mornings.
Ingredients
- For the Chicken Tenders: 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 8 strips
- For the Chicken Tenders: 1 cup buttermilk
- For the Chicken Tenders: 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- For the Chicken Tenders: 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- For the Chicken Tenders: 1 teaspoon salt
- For the Chicken Tenders: 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- For the Breading: 1 cup all-purpose flour
- For the Breading: 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- For the Breading: 1/2 teaspoon salt
- For the Breading: 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- For the Waffle Batter: 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- For the Waffle Batter: 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- For the Waffle Batter: 1 teaspoon baking powder
- For the Waffle Batter: 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- For the Waffle Batter: 1/2 teaspoon salt
- For the Waffle Batter: 1 cup buttermilk
- For the Waffle Batter: 2 large eggs
- For the Waffle Batter: 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- For the Waffle Batter: 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- For Frying: Vegetable oil, for frying
- To Serve: Maple syrup, for dipping
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken:
- In a bowl, combine the chicken strips with buttermilk, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Marinate for at least 20 minutes (or up to 2 hours for best flavor).
- Prepare the Breading:
- Mix flour, panko breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish.
- Bread the Chicken:
- Remove chicken from marinade, shaking off excess. Dredge each strip in the breading mixture until well coated.
- Fry Chicken:
- Heat 1 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry chicken strips in batches for 3, 4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
- Preheat Waffle Iron:
- Meanwhile, preheat your waffle iron.
- Make Waffle Batter:
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In another bowl, whisk buttermilk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla. Pour wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined (do not overmix).
- Cook Waffle Sticks:
- Lightly grease the waffle iron. For each stick, pour a small amount of batter into the waffle iron, place a chicken strip in the center, then cover with just enough batter to enclose. Close the waffle iron and cook until golden brown and crisp, about 4, 5 minutes.
- Repeat and Serve:
- Repeat with remaining chicken and batter. Serve hot with maple syrup for dipping.
Save These chicken waffle sticks have become a family favorite at our house, especially on special occasions like birthdays or holidays. Watching everyone dip, share, and laugh together makes this recipe especially close to my heart.
Required Tools
Mixing bowls, whisk, shallow dish, large skillet, tongs, paper towels, and a waffle iron are all you need for this recipe.
Nutritional Information
Each stick contains 280 calories, 13 g total fat, 24 g carbohydrates, and 15 g protein.
Serving Suggestions
Serve hot with maple syrup, spicy honey, or creamy ranch for dipping. These make a great party snack or a fun brunch centerpiece.
Save Serve these crispy chicken waffle sticks fresh and warm for best flavor. They are sure to become your new favorite comfort treat!
Cooking Questions
- → Can I prepare the chicken ahead of time?
Yes, you can marinate and bread the chicken strips in advance. Store in the fridge and fry just before serving for best texture.
- → How do I make the waffles extra fluffy?
Whisk wet and dry ingredients separately, then gently fold them together. Avoid overmixing to keep the batter light.
- → Is there a dairy-free alternative?
Use plant-based milk (like oat milk) and butter substitutes in both the marinade and batter to suit dairy-free needs.
- → Can I make these sticks spicy?
Add cayenne or hot sauce to the chicken marinade or breading for a spicy kick, or serve with spicy dipping sauces.
- → What other dipping sauces pair well?
Try spicy honey, creamy ranch, barbecue sauce, or garlic aioli for variety alongside maple syrup.
- → Are these suitable for freeze and reheat?
Yes, cool completely before freezing. Reheat in an oven or air fryer for best crispness, avoiding microwave if possible.