These Hot Honey Chicken & Waffles are going to bring the heat to your next brunch or dinner. This classic soul food recipe gets a twist with some hot honey and cornflake breading on a tender, juicy chicken paired with a pillowy soft waffle.
Soul food has a way of setting your soul on fire – in a good way – and this Hot Honey Chicken & Waffles recipe takes it literally. With a sweet and spicy combination of a classic, you’ll be happy dancing in your seat.
Made with spiced crispy fried chicken on top of fluffy waffles and a drizzle of honey, this is the ultimate Southern comfort food that you can bring into your home.
What’s funny is I actually never tried Chicken & Waffles until a few years ago. The second I bit into it, I’ve been obsessed! It’s such a fabulous contrast of tastes and textures. If you’re a sweet-and-savory lover, you’re going to get hooked on this recipe.
This was my first time making my own chicken and waffles, so I wanted to add a twist with a bit of hot honey. I also added hot sauce to the egg mix (recipe below) for an additional level of heat.
Hot honey is my personal favorite to pair with this chicken. Mike’s Hot Honey is a great brand if you want to reach for a ready-made option. You can also make your own super easily!
All you have to do is put your favorite honey, chili flakes (or red chili powder) to your liking into a small pot or pan. Warm them gently over medium heat until you start to see bubbles form around the edge of the pan.
Before it reaches a boil, cut the heat and let the mixture sit as the chili infuses into the honey. Then, you can strain through a fine mesh sieve (or not!) and enjoy on all your favorite dishes. If you want to make it in a larger batch and store it in a mason jar or airtight container, you’ll have enough to add to your foods however you like!
Drizzle it over fried chicken or other fried foods for a spicy and sweet kick.
Use it as a glaze for roasted or grilled meats.
Stir it into marinades, dressings, or sauces for added flavor.
Add it to your cheese board or charcuterie platter for a sweet and spicy element.
Use it as a topping for pizza or flatbread
Mix it with butter or cream cheese for a spicy spread that can be used on toast, bagels, or crackers.
Drizzle it over roasted vegetables for a sweet and spicy twist.
Use it as a dipping sauce for chicken tenders, mozzarella sticks, or egg rolls.
Of course, you can also use regular honey if you don’t like spice. There are still a lot of beautiful spices and herbs used in this dish, so you’ll get a ton of great flavor with or without it.
My other secret to making the best Hot Honey Chicken & Waffles is to use a cornflake breading! It sounds ridiculous, but I promise, it brings an incredible texture to this classic recipe. Simply blend your cornflakes with some spices and use the breading after the egg mix to get a mouthwatering crispy fry on your chicken.
What is soul food?
Chicken and waffles is a modern evolution of classic soul food. Soul food is a cuisine that originated in the Southern United States, combining traditional African American dishes with Southern-American staples. Dishes like fried chicken, cornbread, potato salad, collared greens, and more are all parts of this rich cuisine.
More important is the history behind soul food, which dates back to the time of slavery and has since become an important part of Black cultural identity and celebration. During these trying times, enslaved African Americans were given the least desirable cuts of meat and leftovers.
From these scraps, they had to find ways to make nourishing meals with what they had at their disposal. This is why soul food classics – like fried chicken – tend to involve high amounts of fat, salt, and sugar. However, they are also feel-good meals that fill you up from the inside out!
These Hot Honey Chicken & Waffles are a great way to indulge in the comforting flavors of the South. Once you take a bite, you’ll have this recipe on repeat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner – and I wouldn’t blame you!
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