Spicy Chicken and Waffle Sliders (on a Stick!)

What’s Up, Hungry People

I’m straight up obsessed with chicken waffles. No matter how they’re served, I can’t get enough of that combo. In fact, I love chicken and waffles so much that I decided to skewer it and serve it up at a block party last summer. And guess what? I’ve been dreaming about it ever since.

When it comes to chicken and waffles, most people raise an eyebrow. The typical American sees waffles as a breakfast item, but I’m here to tell you, we’ve been missing out. Waffles can absolutely be served for dinner, especially when topped with spicy fried chicken.

Okay, so WHERE did chicken and waffles come from?

Surprisingly, chicken and waffles has a very mixed origin story. The dish was possibly first combined by Pennsylvania Dutch sometime in the 1600s – but was usually as a pulled chicken topped with gravy (which to be honest, sounds equally delicious). This dish continued on to be a breakfast dish in the 1800s, where it was also known as a “Virginia Breakfast.” The recipe is documented but it was very likely the dish was around much earlier.

Prior to that, fried chicken and pancakes were more common with Southern African Americans (which again, that still sounds pretty dang good to me). But chicken and waffles supposedly came to fame in 1930s Harlem, where it was served in jazz restaurants and quickly became a staple menu item in the Black community and beyond.

Keepin’ It Simple

This recipe is designed to be quick and easy, perfect as an appetizer or snack at a tailgate or cookout.

Here’s What You Need:

• Popcorn chicken – Pre-cooked frozen popcorn chicken is ideal since it already comes in perfect bite-sized pieces.
• American waffles – I made these from scratch, and you can find the ingredients listed below.
• Sweet maple sriracha sauce – This DIY sticky-sweet sauce is what you’ll toss the chicken in.

Let’s Cook

First, let’s get the popcorn chicken ready. Cook it according to the instructions on the packaging. While that’s happening, it’s time to whip up our maple sriracha sauce. In a small bowl, melt some butter, then whisk it together with sriracha and maple syrup until it’s well combined.

Once the chicken is done cooking, toss those golden bites in the maple sriracha sauce until they’re completely coated. You want every piece to be covered in that sticky, sweet, and spicy goodness.

Prepping the Waffles

Preheat your oven to 160°F and pop a baking sheet inside. This will be your holding area to keep the chicken and waffles warm while you work on the rest.

Now, let’s make the waffle batter. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, melted butter, baking powder, demerara sugar, eggs, honey, milk (or buttermilk), and vanilla. The batter should be lumpy, so resist the urge to overmix.

Heat up your waffle iron and pour in the batter. Cook the waffles on the medium setting for 5-8 minutes, until they’re golden brown and cooked through. Transfer the waffles to the baking sheet in the oven to keep them warm.

Assembling the Skewers

Here comes the fun part! Slice the waffles into four pieces along the lines. Wrap each waffle quarter around a piece of saucy chicken and a dill pickle slice. Skewer 2-3 of these waffle-chicken-pickle combos on each skewer.

Pop the skewers back in the oven for about 10 minutes to warm them up before serving. This will also help the waffles and chicken meld together perfectly.

Tips for Perfect Chicken Waffle Slider Skewers

• Use American waffles for skewering: The smaller holes and fluffier texture make them easier to skewer and eat.
• Don’t overmix your waffle batter: A lumpy batter leads to fluffier waffles. Overmixing can make them dense and chewy.
• Keep everything warm in the oven: The low oven temperature is perfect for keeping the waffles and chicken warm without drying them out.
• Try different sauces: If sriracha isn’t your thing, you can substitute with your favorite hot sauce or even BBQ sauce for a different flavor profile.
• Leftover waffles?: Freeze any extra waffles for a quick breakfast later. They reheat nicely in a toaster.

Common Questions About Chicken Waffle Slider Skewers

• Can I use homemade chicken instead of frozen popcorn chicken?
  • Absolutely! If you prefer to make your own chicken, go for it. Just make sure the pieces are small enough to skewer easily.
• What if I don’t have a waffle iron?
  • No worries! You can buy pre-made waffles from the store. Look for American-style waffles in the freezer section (I happen to know that Eggo Waffles will work in a pinch!).
• Can I make the waffles ahead of time?
  • Yes! You can make the waffles a day ahead and store them in an airtight container. Reheat them in the oven before assembling the skewers.
• Is there a way to make this dish less spicy?
  • Sure thing! You can reduce the amount of sriracha or use a milder hot sauce. Or, omit the hot sauce entirely for a sweeter version.

So, there you have it! Chicken waffle slider skewers that combine everything you love about sweet, spicy, and savory all in one bite. Perfect for parties, tailgates, or whenever you need a fun and crowd-pleasing dish. Plus, who doesn’t love food on a stick? Give these a try and watch them disappear faster than you can say “pass the maple sriracha!” Trust me, this is one dish that’ll leave everyone asking for seconds.

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