Crispy chicken tenders glazed in sticky hot honey, tucked between mini waffles for the ultimate game-day snack, brunch bite, or party plate win. Sweet, spicy, handheld, and gone in minutes.
Whether you’re making them for brunch, a game-day spread, or a genuinely good dinner for two, these Hot Honey Chicken and Waffle Sliders bring serious flavor with a surprisingly short ingredient list.
Why Chicken and Waffles Works as a Slider
The fried chicken and waffle combination is already one of the best things in American food. The slider format just makes it more practical for feeding a group – every bite has the same ratio of crispy chicken, soft waffle and hot honey, and nobody has to cut anything or negotiate portion sizes. The hot honey is the thing that pulls it all together, cutting through the richness with just enough heat to make you go back for another one.
The combo of fried chicken + waffles is already a classic. But turn it into a slider, with crispy golden tenders, buttery mini waffles, and a spicy-sweet hot honey glaze, and suddenly you’ve got a dish that’s impossible to ignore. These are the kinds of bites that disappear from a platter before the drinks are even poured.
What You’ll Need (And Smart Shortcuts)
| Ingredient | Notes & Substitutions |
|---|---|
| Chicken tenders | Use boneless tenders, breast strips, or chicken thighs cut into strips. Can bake, fry, or air fry. |
| Mini waffles | Frozen mini waffles work perfectly. Or use a mini waffle iron. |
| Flour & spices | Paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper for a flavorful coating. |
| Buttermilk (or milk) | Tenderizes the chicken — can sub with milk + 1 tsp vinegar. |
| Hot honey | Store-bought or homemade (honey + chili flakes). |
| Butter | For richness in the glaze and waffles if making fresh. |
| Pickles or slaw (optional) | Adds crunch and balance. |
Timing Summary
| Step | Time |
|---|---|
| Chicken prep & coating | 10 minutes |
| Cooking chicken | 15–18 minutes |
| Waffle prep (or heat) | 5–10 minutes |
| Assembly | 5 minutes |
| Total time | ~30–35 minutes |
Ingredients (Makes 6–8 sliders)
For the Chicken:
- 1 lb chicken tenders or breast strips
- ½ cup buttermilk (or milk + 1 tsp vinegar)
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp baking powder (optional, for extra crisp)
- Oil for frying (or use air fryer or oven)
For the Hot Honey Glaze:
- ⅓ cup honey
- ½ tsp chili flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp hot sauce (optional for extra heat)
- 1 tbsp butter
Other:
- 12–16 mini frozen waffles or homemade
- Optional: sliced pickles, coleslaw, or a dab of spicy mayo
Instructions
1. Prep the Chicken
Soak chicken tenders in buttermilk (or milk + vinegar) for at least 15 minutes (or up to overnight in the fridge).
In a shallow dish, mix flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and baking powder (if using).
Remove chicken from buttermilk and dredge in the seasoned flour. Press well to coat.
2. Cook the Chicken
Fry: Heat ½ inch of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry tenders for 3–4 minutes per side until golden and 165°F internally.
Air fry: Spray coated tenders with oil and air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway.
Oven-bake: Bake on a wire rack over a sheet pan at 425°F (220°C) for 20 minutes, flipping once.
Tip: Keep cooked tenders warm in a low oven while finishing batches.
3. Make the Hot Honey
In a small saucepan over low heat, combine honey, chili flakes, hot sauce (if using), and butter. Stir until melted and warm — don’t boil. Set aside.
4. Heat or Toast the Waffles
Warm mini waffles in a toaster or oven until golden and crisp on the edges. Butter lightly if desired.
Making waffles from scratch? Use your favorite batter and a mini waffle iron.
5. Assemble the Sliders
Place one mini waffle on the bottom, top with a chicken tender, drizzle with hot honey, add pickles or slaw if using, and crown with another waffle.
Secure with a toothpick or mini skewer if serving on a platter.
Variations & Fun Twists
| Idea | Try This |
|---|---|
| Spicy-Spicy | Add sliced jalapeños or chili crisp |
| Brunchy | Add a fried quail egg or dab of maple butter |
| Southern style | Serve with white gravy or a dollop of pimento cheese |
| Vegan | Use cauliflower “wings” or plant-based tenders |
| Gluten-free | Sub gluten-free waffles and flour blend |
If sliders are your thing, the ham and cheese sliders on Hawaiian rolls are the other non-negotiable on the site – completely different flavour profile but the same crowd-pleasing format. The hot honey halloumi sliders are worth knowing about too if you’re feeding anyone who doesn’t eat meat.
Nutritional Info (Per Slider, Approximate)
Based on one slider with chicken tender, waffles, and glaze
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | ~270 kcal |
| Protein | 15g |
| Carbs | 22g |
| Fat | 14g |
| Sugar | 9g (from honey) |
| Sodium | ~420mg |
For more party food that punches above its effort level, the ultimate slider roundup has six slider recipes including a French onion soup slider with dipping broth and a kimchi butter smash burger version that are both worth making alongside these.
If you’re building a full slider spread, the slider recipes roundup has 9 more options to go alongside this one.
Hot Honey Chicken & Waffle Sliders That Vanish in Seconds
Ingredients
Method
- Soak chicken tenders in buttermilk (or milk + vinegar) for at least 15 minutes (or up to overnight in the fridge).
- In a shallow dish, mix flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and baking powder (if using).
- Remove chicken from buttermilk and dredge in the seasoned flour. Press well to coat.
- Fry: Heat ½ inch of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry tenders for 3–4 minutes per side until golden and 165°F internally.
- Air fry: Spray coated tenders with oil and air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Oven-bake: Bake on a wire rack over a sheet pan at 425°F (220°C) for 20 minutes, flipping once.
- Tip: Keep cooked tenders warm in a low oven while finishing batches.
- In a small saucepan over low heat, combine honey, chili flakes, hot sauce (if using), and butter. Stir until melted and warm — don’t boil. Set aside.
- Heat or Toast the Waffles
- Warm mini waffles in a toaster or oven until golden and crisp on the edges. Butter lightly if desired.
- Making waffles from scratch? Use your favorite batter and a mini waffle iron.
- Place one mini waffle on the bottom, top with a chicken tender, drizzle with hot honey, add pickles or slaw if using, and crown with another waffle.
- Secure with a toothpick or mini skewer if serving on a platter.
Nutrition
Notes
- Spicy-Spicy Add sliced jalapeños or chili crisp
- Brunchy Add a fried quail egg or dab of maple butter
- Southern style Serve with white gravy or a dollop of pimento cheese
- Vegan Use cauliflower “wings” or plant-based tenders
- Gluten-free Sub gluten-free waffles and flour blend
Tried this recipe?
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