Homemade Fried Chicken ‘n’ Waffles with Jalapeno Honey Butter Sauce

Hold on to your taste buds because Homemade Fried Chicken ‘n’ Waffles with Jalapeno Honey Butter Sauce is about to take your brunch game to a whole new level! This dish is the ultimate comfort food mash-up, where the crispy, golden fried chicken meets fluffy, slightly sweet waffles. And just when you think it couldn’t get any better, we drizzle it all with a spicy-sweet jalapeno honey butter sauce that takes everything from delicious to out-of-this-world amazing. Seriously, this dish is a total showstopper, and once you’ve had a bite, you’ll be hooked for life!

Why You’ll Love Homemade Fried Chicken ‘n’ Waffles with Jalapeno Honey Butter Sauce

Sweet and Spicy Perfection: The combination of crispy fried chicken, fluffy waffles, and that kick of heat from the jalapeno honey butter is the kind of flavor balance that’ll leave you craving more. It’s sweet, savory, and just the right amount of spicy.

Brunch Game-Changer: Move over, classic brunch dishes. This hearty combo is everything you need to impress at your next gathering, or even just as a weekend treat to make your morning feel extra special.

Crispy & Tender Chicken: The fried chicken is golden, crispy on the outside, and tender and juicy on the inside. Every bite is a perfect crunch, making it the ultimate fried chicken experience.

Fluffy Waffles: The waffles are soft and fluffy with just the right amount of sweetness, giving you the perfect base for the fried chicken and sauce. They soak up all the flavors, making each bite more delicious than the last.

Customizable Heat: The jalapeno honey butter sauce can be made as mild or as fiery as you like, so you can adjust the spice level to suit your taste buds. It’s all about the balance you crave!

Ingredients in Homemade Fried Chicken ‘n’ Waffles with Jalapeno Honey Butter Sauce

Chicken

The star of this dish, bone-in chicken pieces (like thighs or drumsticks), are ideal for frying. Their tender meat and crispy skin are a perfect match for the waffles.

Buttermilk

Soaking the chicken in buttermilk before frying gives it that tender, juicy texture. It also helps the flour coating stick, resulting in the perfect crispy crunch.

Flour & Cornstarch

A mix of flour and cornstarch creates a crispy, golden coating on the chicken that stays crunchy, even when drizzled with that luscious jalapeno honey butter.

Garlic Powder & Paprika

For seasoning the chicken, garlic powder and paprika add depth of flavor, bringing out that savory richness you want in your fried chicken.

Waffle Mix or Homemade Waffle Batter

You can either use a store-bought waffle mix or whip up a simple homemade waffle batter, which includes flour, baking powder, eggs, and milk.

Jalapenos

For the jalapeno honey butter sauce, fresh jalapenos bring the heat. You can control how much you add to suit your desired spice level.

Butter

A rich, creamy butter forms the base of the jalapeno sauce, giving it that silky smooth texture that coats every bite of chicken and waffle.

Honey

The honey in the sauce adds sweetness that balances the heat from the jalapenos, creating that perfect spicy-sweet flavor.

Maple Syrup (Optional)

Some people love to drizzle a little extra maple syrup over their chicken and waffles, but with the jalapeno honey butter, it’s totally optional.

Instructions

Prepare the Chicken

In a large bowl, mix the buttermilk with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken pieces to the bowl, making sure they’re fully submerged. Let the chicken marinate in the buttermilk for at least 1 hour, or up to overnight in the refrigerator for maximum flavor.

Make the Coating

In a separate bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix it all together to create a seasoned flour mixture for the chicken.

Fry the Chicken

Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil in a large skillet or deep fryer to 350°F (175°C). While the oil heats, remove the chicken from the buttermilk and dredge each piece in the seasoned flour mixture, ensuring it’s evenly coated.

Fry the chicken in batches for about 10–12 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy on the outside, and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). Transfer the chicken to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

Make the Waffles

While the chicken is frying, prepare your waffles! If you’re using a waffle mix, just follow the instructions on the box. For homemade waffles, whisk together flour, baking powder, eggs, milk, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Grease your waffle iron and cook the waffles until golden and crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside.

Make the Jalapeno Honey Butter Sauce

In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped jalapenos and cook for 1-2 minutes, just enough to release their flavor. Stir in the honey and cook for another minute until it’s well combined. Taste and adjust the heat by adding more jalapenos if you prefer a spicier sauce.

Serve the Dish

To assemble, place a warm waffle on each plate and top with a piece of crispy fried chicken. Drizzle generously with the jalapeno honey butter sauce. If desired, add a light drizzle of maple syrup for a touch of sweetness (optional).

Serve immediately, and get ready to be blown away by the crispy, tender chicken paired with fluffy waffles and that irresistible spicy-sweet sauce!

Nutrition Facts

Servings: 4
Calories per serving: ~600-800 calories (depending on portion size and sauce)

Preparation Time

Prep Time: 20 minutes (for chicken marinating)
Cook Time: 30-40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour

How to Serve Homemade Fried Chicken ‘n’ Waffles with Jalapeno Honey Butter Sauce

Brunch: This dish is perfect for brunch! Serve it alongside some fresh fruit or a simple green salad to balance out the richness of the fried chicken and waffles.

For a Crowd: Double the recipe to serve more people at your next family gathering or weekend party. These beasty portions will have your guests coming back for more!

Pair with a Drink: Try pairing this dish with a refreshing iced tea or a sparkling lemon-lime soda to complement the spicy sweetness of the dish.

Extra Toppings: Feel free to add some crispy bacon, a fried egg on top of the waffles, or even a drizzle of maple syrup if you love that sweet and savory combo.

Additional Tips

Marinate the Chicken Longer: For even more flavorful chicken, marinate it overnight in the buttermilk. The longer it soaks, the juicier and more flavorful the chicken will be.

Spice Level: Adjust the spice level in the jalapeno honey butter sauce by using more or fewer jalapenos. If you want it super mild, you can even leave them out!

Make-Ahead Option: You can fry the chicken ahead of time and reheat it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes to get it crispy again.

Crispy Waffles: If you like your waffles extra crispy, you can toast them in a toaster or on a hot griddle for a couple of minutes after cooking.

Storage: Store leftovers separately—keep the fried chicken in an airtight container for up to 3 days, and the waffles can be wrapped in foil or plastic wrap and stored in the fridge for 2 days.

FAQ Section

Q1: Can I make the waffles ahead of time?
A1: Yes, you can prepare the waffles in advance and store them in the fridge. Reheat them in the toaster or on a hot griddle for the best texture.

Q2: Can I use boneless chicken?
A2: Absolutely! Boneless chicken breasts or thighs will work great too. Just adjust the frying time, as they’ll cook faster than bone-in pieces.

Q3: How spicy is the jalapeno honey butter sauce?
A3: The sauce is mildly spicy, but you can adjust the heat by adding more or fewer jalapenos. For less spice, remove the seeds before cooking the jalapenos.

Q4: Can I make this dish gluten-free?
A4: Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and follow the same process. It will still be crispy and delicious!

Q5: Can I make the sauce ahead of time?
A5: Yes, you can make the jalapeno honey butter sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to a week. Just reheat it before serving.

Q6: What’s the best way to reheat the fried chicken?
A6: Reheat fried chicken in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes to restore its crispy texture.

Q7: Can I use a different hot sauce?
A7: Yes! You can substitute with a different hot sauce or chili paste if you prefer a different flavor profile. Just be sure to adjust the heat to your liking.

Q8: Can I add cheese to the waffles?
A8: Of course! Adding cheese like cheddar or mozzarella to the waffle batter gives it an extra savory bite. You could even sprinkle some cheese on top before serving!

Q9: Is there a non-dairy alternative for the butter?
A9: Yes, you can use vegan butter or any dairy-free alternative to make the jalapeno honey butter sauce.

Q10: Can I make this dish without frying the chicken?
A10: You can! If you prefer to avoid frying, you can bake the chicken at 400°F (200°C) for 25-30 minutes, turning halfway through, for a healthier alternative.

Conclusion

Homemade Fried Chicken ‘n’ Waffles with Jalapeno Honey Butter Sauce is the ultimate indulgence, combining crispy fried chicken, soft waffles, and a spicy-sweet sauce that’s truly unforgettable. Whether you’re enjoying it for brunch, dinner, or a weekend treat, this dish is sure to satisfy all your cravings. It’s the kind of meal that’ll make you smile with every bite—and probably go back for seconds!

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