I love chicken and waffles, but I don’t love breaking out my deep fryer for brunch. With my easy recipe, I chose to bake rather than fry the chicken, and it turned out so crispy and delicious. I coated the chicken in crunchy corn flake cereal, which helped it crisp without the fryer. Whether you serve it over my homemade fluffy waffles or frozen waffles, this recipe is a real winner! I love it topped with gooey honey!
Chicken and Waffles Recipe
My favorite method for making chicken and waffles has been a game changer when it comes to this comfort food. I couldn’t believe how crispy my chicken turned out just from coating it with corn flakes and baking it in the oven. It saves me so much time and energy not having to clean up all that messy oil after frying! My homemade waffles turn out perfectly fluffy, but of course on busy mornings, I’ve been known to use frozen waffles instead–and it’s still just as good! This is a super easy chicken and waffles recipe to keep in your back pocket for when you really want to impress!
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How to Store and Reheat
Let everything cool before storing. Store the baked chicken and homemade waffles in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat chicken in an air fryer for the quickest and crispiest results. Reheat waffles in a toaster/oven.
How to Freeze
Freeze chicken and waffles in separate airtight containers for up to 3 months. Reheat directly from frozen in the oven or air fryer for the crispiest results.
Notes and Tips
- For me, the only cut of chicken to use for restaurant quality chicken and waffles is a drumstick. The bone in chicken helps to keep the meat succulent when it is cooked, and they are easy to pick up and gnaw on if you feel inclined!
- Properly cooked chicken is 165°F internally.
- Keep the waffles warm in a 200°F oven.
- If possible, use a good quality organic honey with a rich golden color. The sugary sweet stuff that’s super cheap doesn’t lend the best deep honey flavor like the real deal does.
- For a spicier take, drizzle with hot honey!
Top Reader Review
“My family goes crazy when I make this for them! They love it so much and ask for it often!” – Suzy
Chicken and Waffles Recipe
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken drumsticks
- 3 cups crushed corn flakes cereal
- 3 large egg whites
- 1 tablespoon buttermilk
- 8 frozen waffles, prepared OR make your own below
For Homemade Waffles (Optional)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1½ cups milk
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons honey
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- Baking Sheet
- Waffle Iron
Instructions
For the Chicken:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place a metal cooling rack on top of it. Spray the rack with nonstick spray. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk the egg whites and buttermilk together with a fork until frothy.3 large egg whites, 1 tablespoon buttermilk
- Place the cornflakes in a separate medium bowl.3 cups crushed corn flakes cereal
- Dip each piece of chicken in the egg white mixture, then dip it in the corn flakes. Press firmly with your hands until the drumsticks are covered in corn flakes.4 bone-in, skin-on chicken drumsticks
- Arrange the drumsticks on the cooling rack and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until golden brown and 165°F internally. If they begin to brown too much, carefully remove from the oven, cover with aluminum foil, then continue baking.
For the Waffles:
- Preheat a waffle iron.
- In a medium bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt together until well combined.2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- Add the milk, eggs, butter, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients and whisk the waffle batter until it is well combined.2 large eggs, 1½ cups milk, 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Add ¼-½ cup waffle batter to the waffle iron and cook until the waffle is golden brown and crispy. Repeat with the remaining batter.
- Serve immediately while still warm, add the chicken drumsticks on top, and drizzle some honey, and enjoy!2 tablespoons honey
Notes
- A serving is 1 drumstick and 1-2 waffles, depending on the size of your waffle maker.
How to Make Chicken and Waffles Step by Step
Whisk the Eggs: Preheat your oven to 350°F, ine a baking sheet with parchment paper and place a metal cooling rack on top of it, spray the rack with nonstick spray, and set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk 3 large egg whites and 1 tablespoon of buttermilk together with a fork until frothy.
Dip the Chicken: Place 3 cups of crushed corn flakes cereal in a separate medium bowl. Dip each piece of 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken drumsticks in the egg white mixture, then dip it in the corn flakes. Press firmly with your hands until the drumsticks are covered in corn flakes.
Bake the Chicken: Arrange the drumsticks on the cooling rack and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until golden brown and 165°F internally. If they begin to brown too much, carefully remove from the oven, cover with aluminum foil, then continue baking.
Mix the Dry Waffle Ingredients: Preheat a waffle iron. In a medium bowl, mix 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon of baking powder, and ½ teaspoon of kosher salt together until well combined. If using frozen waffles, skip ahead to the last step!
Add the Wet Ingredients: Add 2 large eggs, 1½ cups of milk, 6 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter, and 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract to the dry ingredients and whisk the waffle batter until it is well combined.
Cook the Waffles: Add ¼-½ cup waffle batter to the waffle iron and cook until the waffle is golden brown and crispy. Repeat with the remaining batter.
Plate the Dish: Serve immediately while still warm, add the chicken drumsticks on top, and drizzle on 2 tablespoons of honey. Enjoy!
Okay, I’m going to be making this over and over again. So delicious!
hooray!
This is one of my favorites but I haven’t ever made it before! Thank you for a delicious recipe!
Of course! Hope you enjoy 🙂
This is to die for! One of those meals I don’t think I could ever get tired of!
same!!
My family goes crazy when I make this for them! They love it so much and ask for it often!
That makes me so happy to hear!
Chicken & waffles is such a surprising, yummy combination! This chicken looks so crispy & together, so flavorful!
AGREE
The hubby is super into chicken and waffles, so I’m going to earn some wife points by making this for him!
YAY! love that 🙂