crispy chicken waffle sticks (Print View)
Chicken tenders nestled in waffles, crispy outside and fluffy inside, ideal for breakfast, brunch, or bites.
# Components:
→ Chicken Tenders
01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 8 strips
02 - 1 cup buttermilk
03 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
04 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
05 - 1 teaspoon salt
06 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
→ Breading
07 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
08 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
→ Waffle Batter
11 - 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
12 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
13 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
14 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
15 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
16 - 1 cup buttermilk
17 - 2 large eggs
18 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
19 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ Frying
20 - Vegetable oil, enough for 1 inch depth in skillet
→ To Serve
21 - Maple syrup, for dipping
# Directions:
01 - Combine chicken strips with buttermilk, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper in a bowl. Marinate for at least 20 minutes, or up to 2 hours to enhance flavor.
02 - Mix all-purpose flour, panko breadcrumbs, salt, and black pepper in a shallow dish and set aside.
03 - Remove chicken from marinade, shaking off excess liquid. Dredge each strip in the breading mixture until fully coated.
04 - Heat vegetable oil to a 1 inch depth in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry chicken strips in batches for 3–4 minutes on each side until golden and thoroughly cooked. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
05 - Preheat the waffle iron according to manufacturer's instructions.
06 - In a large bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
07 - In a separate bowl, whisk buttermilk, eggs, melted unsalted butter, and vanilla extract. Pour into dry ingredients and stir until just combined—do not overmix.
08 - Lightly grease the waffle iron. For each stick, add a small amount of waffle batter, position a fried chicken strip in the center, and cover with additional batter to enclose. Close the waffle iron and cook for 4–5 minutes until golden brown and crisp.
09 - Repeat the assembly and cooking process with remaining chicken strips and batter.
10 - Serve hot with maple syrup for dipping.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Fun twist on classic chicken and waffles
- Perfect for breakfast or as a crowd-pleasing appetizer
02 -
- This recipe contains wheat, eggs, and dairy—perfect for most but not suitable for gluten or dairy allergies.
- For oil, check labels for possible soy content if allergies are a concern.
03 -
- Marinating the chicken longer makes it even more tender and flavorful.
- Try adding some cayenne or swap meats for a custom twist.