I love tapas, I’m a sampler, me and the Costco peeps are good friends. Basically, anything bite-size that I can readily gobble up, while appeasing the “in moderation” lies I tell myself, is tops in my book. Small plates ( in multiple rounds of course!) all day, please! So when my Moon and I decided to throw a Galentines Day brunch – “Kickin’ it breakfast style” we had to include brunch tapas! I mean, we are ” Ladies, celebrating ladies” over here!

Nothing says “brunch” more than chicken and waffles…Ok, maybe bottom-less mimosas (tie?!). What’s not to love? Crisp, golden, herb-crusted chicken, layered on a soft, pillowy waffle, and kissed with a spicy- sweet, cayenne infused maple-butter!

It’s the perfect bite!

As one comment stated: ” This is looking like a “Bad and bougie snack! ” Trust! You want to make these!

Print Recipe

mini chicken & waffles with hot maple honey

Soft, pillowy, waffles , topped with crisp, golden, herb-crusted chicken, drizzled in a spicy- sweet cayenne infused maple-butter! YUM! It's the perfect bite!

Course

Brunch, Small plates & Bites

Cuisine

Southern

Prep Time

15 minutes

Cook Time

25 minutes

Servings

bite-sized chicken and waffles

Ingredients

Fried Chicken (Dry Ingredients)

• 1 pound skinless chicken tenders ( you can also use breasts) chopped into 1 inch pieces
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 cup dry cornflakes plain, finely crushed
• 2 Tablespoons whole-wheat flour any flour can be used
• 1 teaspoon each of garlic powder, herbs de provence, smoked paprika, kosher salt, black pepper

Wet Ingredients

• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 medium egg

Hot Maple-Honey

• 4 Tablespoons salted butter ( 1/2 stick)
• 1 Tablespoon maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon cayenne powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

Waffles

• 1 package ( 10 count) freezer mini waffles i used eggo brand

Course Brunch, Small plates & Bites Cuisine Southern Prep Time 15 minutes Cook Time 25 minutes Servings bite-sized chicken and waffles Ingredients Fried Chicken (Dry Ingredients) 1 pound skinless chicken tenders ( you can also use breasts) chopped into 1 inch pieces 1 cup panko breadcrumbs 1 cup dry cornflakes plain, finely crushed 2 Tablespoons whole-wheat flour any flour can be used 1 teaspoon each of garlic powder, herbs de provence, smoked paprika, kosher salt, black pepper Wet Ingredients 1 cup buttermilk 1 medium egg Hot Maple-Honey 4 Tablespoons salted butter ( 1/2 stick) 1 Tablespoon maple syrup 1 teaspoon cayenne powder 1 teaspoon smoked paprika Waffles 1 package ( 10 count) freezer mini waffles i used eggo brand

Instructions

1. Prep Materials: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Line a half sheet pan with parchment paper Plate lined with paper towels Slotted spoon

Prep Ingredients

1. In a large bowl combine all the dry ingredients: panko, cornflakes,flour, garlic, smoked paprika, herbs de provence, salt and pepper. Whisk to combine.
2. Cut chicken into approximately 1 inch cubes. Place into bowl with wet ingredients. Allow to soak while you get your skillet hot on medium heat. Add oil. Once oil is glistening ( about 1-2 minutes) turn hear down to medium.

frying the chicken

1. Create an assembly line: wet bowl, dry bowl, frying pan, and plate with paper towels. Working in small batches, using the slotted spoon transfer several pieces of chicken to the dry bowl. Toss with hand or utensil to make sure it is coated on all side with breadcrumb mixture. Add pieces to the fryer. If using a large skillet, about 10-12 pieces at a time should allow for sufficient frying space without overcrowding the pan. Sear on both sides - about 2-3 minutes each. you should see that they have turned a light golden color. I like to use kitchen togs to flip the chicken while frying.
2. Transfer seared chicken to platter with paper towels to drain.

Bake

1. Move drained chicken nuggets to the parchment lined half sheet. Again, do not overcrowd pan or they wont crisp up. Bake in oven for about 10-15 minutes.

Hot Honey

1. While the chicken nuggets are baking, make your hot honey. Combine, butter, maple syrup, cayenne, and smoke paprika in a sauce pan over low heat.
2. After the hot honey is melted. Begin to make your mini waffles according to package instructions. You can use the toaster, or throw them on a baking sheet and bake in the same oven as the nuggets.

Assemble

1. Once the chicken nuggets have cooled, place one chicken nugget on top of each mini waffle.Drizzle with hot honey butter, and secure with a toothpick or skewer. ( little wooden forks work well. Garnish with fresh thyme leaves.