If you love the combination of crispy chicken and waffles, you're going to love these Easy Sweet n' Spicy Chicken & Waffle Sliders. Each bite combines a crispy chicken nugget with a fluffy mini waffle, sweet maple Sriracha glaze, and a creamy dipping sauce for an irresistible sweet and spicy appetizer. They're easy to put together and perfect for serving at game-day gatherings, parties, or anytime you're craving something fun and delicious.
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Why You'll Love Easy Sweet n' Spicy Chicken & Waffle Sliders
- They're incredibly easy to make. Frozen chicken nuggets and mini waffles make these chicken and waffle sliders a quick and convenient appetizer without the work of making chicken or waffles from scratch.
- They're ideal for game day and parties. These mini chicken and waffles are easy to serve at game-day gatherings, potlucks, holiday parties, and other casual get-togethers.
- They're a fun twist on classic chicken and waffles. Instead of serving traditional chicken and waffles as a meal, this recipe transforms the combination into easy-to-eat mini sliders that are perfect for sharing.
- They're packed with sweet and spicy flavor. Crispy chicken is coated in a buttery maple Sriracha glaze that combines sweet maple syrup with the heat of Sriracha and cayenne pepper.
Ingredients - Here's What You'll Need
Steps to Make Easy Sweet n' Spicy Chicken & Waffle Sliders
- Preheat oven according to the package directions for baking chicken nuggets. I used Just Bare Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast Bites which called for preheating the oven to 375°F. Line two half-sheet pans with parchment paper, place 20 chicken nuggets on one pan, and set the other pan aside. Bake the nuggets according to the package directions, flipping them over halfway through cooking. Mine cooked for a total of 24 minutes.
- While the nuggets are baking, prepare the glaze and sauce. To make the glaze, place the unsalted butter in a large microwave-proof bowl and heat in 30-second increments until the butter has melted, this should take about a minute. Then, add two tablespoons of maple syrup, two teaspoons of Sriracha hot sauce, and cayenne pepper. Whisk everything together until well combined, then set the bowl aside until ready to use.
- To prepare the sauce, place the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, two tablespoons of maple syrup, two teaspoons of Sriracha hot sauce, and garlic powder in a small bowl. Then, whisk everything together until well combined. Set the bowl aside until ready to use.
- When you have about five minutes left on the nugget cooking time, increase the oven temperature to 450°F. Then, use a bread knife to separate the mini waffles into individual pieces. If you try to break them apart, there's a good chance you could damage them. Place the waffles on the other prepared sheet pan. After you have removed the pan with the nuggets and the oven reaches 450°F, bake the waffles for five minutes.
- Once you've removed the nuggets from the oven, use a pair of silicone tongs to place them in the large bowl with the glaze. Then, use the tongs to gently toss the nuggest in the glaze.
- Remove the mini waffles from the oven and place half of them on a large serving platter. Then, use a small spoon to add a small amount of the sauce to the bottom waffle, about half a teaspoon.
- Use the tongs to place one glazed nugget on each prepared waffle.
- Top the nuggets with the remaining waffles. Serve immediately while still warm.
Easy Sweet n' Spicy Chicken & Waffle Sliders are a fun way to turn classic chicken and waffles into an easy, bite-sized party appetizer. Crispy chicken, fluffy mini waffles, and sweet and spicy maple Sriracha flavor make these sliders especially appealing for game day, potlucks, and casual gatherings. With just a few convenient ingredients and simple preparation, these chicken and waffle appetizers are an easy crowd-pleasing addition to any menu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely. While frozen chicken nuggets make these sliders especially quick and easy, you can substitute homemade fried or baked chicken cut into bite-sized pieces.
Regular-sized frozen waffles can be used instead. Cut the waffles into quarters to create smaller pieces that are easier to use for the sliders.
The sliders have a noticeable sweet and spicy flavor from the maple Sriracha glaze and sauce, but the heat is easy to adjust. Use less Sriracha for a milder flavor or increase it if you prefer a little more heat.
The maple Sriracha glaze and sauce can be prepared ahead of time, including a day in advance. For the best texture, however, assemble the sliders just before serving so the waffles remain fluffy and the chicken stays crispy.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Choose flat chicken nuggets when possible. Chicken nuggets that are flatter rather than round fit more easily between the mini waffles and make the finished sliders easier to assemble.
- Prepare the glaze and sauce while the chicken cooks. Both the maple Sriracha glaze and the creamy maple Sriracha sauce can be made while the chicken nuggets are baking, keeping the preparation quick and efficient.
- Separate the mini waffles carefully. Use a bread knife to separate the waffles rather than pulling them apart. This helps prevent the waffles from breaking or becoming damaged.
- Cook the chicken until extra crispy. A crisp exterior provides the best contrast to the fluffy waffles and helps the chicken hold up better once coated with the maple Sriracha glaze.
Other Great Mini Bites Recipes
- Mini Loaded Baked Potatoes
- Easy Cheeseburger Pretzel Bites
- Easy Crockpot Honey Barbecue Pineapple Meatball Smokies
- Mini Chili Cheese Dog Sliders
- Creole Sausage Balls with Remoulade Sauce
- Mini Oven-Baked Crispy Beef & Bean Tacos
- Croque Monsieur Toast Points: A Delicious And Easy Appetizer
- Easy Mini Open-Faced Reuben Sandwiches: The Ultimate St. Patrick's Day Appetizer
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Easy Sweet n' Spicy Chicken & Waffle Sliders
Equipment
- 2 half sheet pans
- Parchment paper
- large microwave proof bowl
- Small Bowl
- whisk
- Silicone Tongs
Ingredients
- 20 Frozen Chicken Nuggets1
- 10.9 oz box Eggo Homestyle Mini Waffles 10 sets of 4 mini waffles
Maple Sriracha Glaze
- 4 tbs Unsalted Butter melted
- 2 tbs Maple Syrup
- 2 teaspoon Sriracha Hot Sauce
- 1 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
Maple Sriracha Sauce
- 2 tbs Mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
- 2 tbs Maple Syrup
- 1 teaspoon Lemon Juice
- 2 teaspoon Sriracha Hot Sauce
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
Instructions
To Make the Maple Sriracha Glaze
- Place the unsalted butter in a large microwave proof bowl and heat in 30-second increments until the butter has melted, this should take about a minute. Then, add two tablespoons of maple syrup, two teaspoons of Sriracha hot sauce, and cayenne pepper. Whisk everything together until well combined, then set the bowl aside until ready to use.
To Make the Maple Sriracha Sauce
- Place the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, two tablespoons of maple syrup, two teaspoons of of Sriracha hot sauce, and garlic powder in a small bowl. Whisk everything together until well combined. Set the bowl aside until ready to use.
To Make the Sliders
- Preheat oven to package directions for baking chicken nuggets.1 Line two half-sheet pans with parchment paper, place 20 chicken nuggets2 on one pan, and set the other aside. Bake the nuggets according to package directions, flipping them over halfway through cooking.3
- When you've got about five minutes left on the cooking time for the nuggets, go ahead and increase the oven temperature to 450°F. Then, use a bread knife to separate the mini waffles into individual pieces.4 Place the waffles on the other prepared sheet pan. After you have removed the pan with the nuggets and the oven reaches 450°F, bake the waffles for five minutes.
- Once you've removed the nuggets from the oven, use a pair of silicone tongs to place them in the large bowl with the Maple Sriracha Glaze. Then, use the tongs to gently toss them in the glaze.
- Remove the mini waffles from the oven and place half of them on a large serving platter. Then, use a small spoon to add a small amount, about half a teaspoon, of the Maple Sriracha Sauce to the bottom waffle. Use the tongs to place one glazed nugget on each prepared waffle. Top the nuggets with the remaining waffles. Serve immediately while still warm with remaining Maple Sriracha Sauce on the side.
- Yield 20 waffle sliders
Tips/Notes
- I used Just Bare Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast Bites (they taste just like Chick fil-A nuggets).
- It's best if you use nuggets that are more flat than round, they'll sit better in-between the mini waffles.
- My nuggets called for preheating the oven to 375°F and cooked for a total of 24 minutes.
- If you try to break the mini waffles apart there's a good chance you could damage them, that's why I recommend using a serrated knife to separate them..
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