There are nights when you want dinner to feel like a celebration without turning your kitchen into a disaster zone. That’s exactly where these buttermilk hot honey chicken and waffles come in: crispy, juicy chicken with that tangy buttermilk magic, plus waffles that feel like a hug, all finished with a sticky-sweet heat that makes everyone’s eyes light up.
This roundup is for the “just one more bite” people. The ones who sneak back into the kitchen for an extra strip of chicken, who drip hot honey on purpose, who believe waffles are not just for mornings. Pick the classic, go crunchy with pecans, bring the jalapeño heat, or lean cozy with sweet potato.
Each recipe below follows the same simple game plan: quick buttermilk soak, easy dredge, golden fry (or bake/air-fry if you want), fluffy waffles, then that glossy hot honey drizzle that turns the whole plate into a moment.
1 Classic Buttermilk Hot Honey Chicken and Waffles
This is the one that starts traditions. Crispy chicken with a tangy buttermilk bite, waffles with buttery edges, and hot honey that’s sweet first… then suddenly bold.
Ingredients
For the buttermilk chicken
- 2 lb chicken tenders or boneless thighs
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 1 tbsp hot sauce (optional but amazing)
- 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
For the dredge
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp cayenne (optional)
For frying
- Neutral oil (enough for 1 to 2 inches in a heavy pan)
For the waffles
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 3/4 cups buttermilk
- 1/2 cup melted butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the hot honey
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 to 2 tbsp hot sauce (to taste)
- 1/2 tsp chili flakes (optional)
- 1 tbsp butter
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
Marinate the chicken
- In a bowl, whisk buttermilk, hot sauce, salt, garlic powder, paprika, and pepper.
- Add chicken, toss to coat, cover, and chill 30 minutes to 8 hours.
Make hot honey
- Warm honey, hot sauce, chili flakes, butter, and salt in a small pan over low heat until glossy.
- Turn off heat and keep warm.
Dredge and fry
- In a shallow dish, mix flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, paprika, onion powder, and cayenne.
- Heat oil to 350°F.
- Remove chicken from buttermilk, let excess drip, then press into dredge until heavily coated.
- Fry in batches 4 to 6 minutes (tenders) or 6 to 8 minutes (thigh pieces), until deep golden and 165°F inside.
- Drain on a rack.
Make waffles
- Preheat waffle iron.
- In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, whisk eggs, buttermilk, melted butter, and vanilla.
- Stir wet into dry just until combined (don’t overmix).
- Cook waffles until golden and crisp.
Assemble
- Place chicken on waffles and drizzle generously with hot honey.
- Add butter and extra hot sauce if your family loves it.
Tips
- For extra crunch, let dredged chicken rest 10 minutes before frying.
- A rack keeps everything crisp; paper towels can make the crust steam.
Variations
- Swap tenders for bone-in pieces; just fry longer and monitor temp.
- Add a pinch of cinnamon to the waffle batter for a subtle warm note.
2 Cinnamon Spice Hot Honey Chicken and Waffles
If your favorite smell in the world is “something cozy baking,” this one’s for you. The cinnamon-spice waffle meets hot honey heat, and it tastes like a sweet-and-spicy holiday morning… but with fried chicken.
Ingredients
For the chicken
- Use the Classic Buttermilk Chicken ingredients from Recipe 1
For the cinnamon spice waffles
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ginger
- 2 large eggs
- 1 3/4 cups buttermilk
- 1/2 cup melted butter
- 1 tsp vanilla
For cinnamon hot honey
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 to 2 tbsp hot sauce
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
Prep chicken and fry
- Marinate, dredge, and fry the chicken using Recipe 1 instructions.
Make cinnamon hot honey
- Warm honey, hot sauce, butter, cinnamon, and salt on low until smooth.
Make cinnamon spice waffles
- Mix dry ingredients in one bowl.
- Whisk eggs, buttermilk, melted butter, and vanilla in another.
- Combine gently and cook in a preheated waffle iron until crisp and golden.
Assemble
- Waffle first, chicken second, then a slow drizzle of cinnamon hot honey over everything.
Tips
- Brown sugar helps these waffles caramelize faster, so watch them near the end.
- If your cinnamon is strong, start with 1/4 tsp in the hot honey and add more to taste.
Notes
- This version is unreal with a little salted butter on the waffle before the chicken goes on.
3 Pecan Crusted Hot Honey Chicken and Waffles
This is the “listen to that crunch” recipe. The pecan crust feels fancy, but it’s shockingly easy, and it turns every bite into sweet heat with a nutty, toasty finish.
Ingredients
For the buttermilk chicken
- Use the Classic Buttermilk Chicken marinade from Recipe 1
For the pecan crust dredge
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 3/4 cup finely chopped pecans (not powder, not big chunks)
For waffles
- Use the Classic Waffles from Recipe 1 (or your favorite)
For hot honey
- Use the Classic Hot Honey from Recipe 1
Instructions
Marinate chicken
- Follow Recipe 1 marinade step.
Make dredge
- Mix flour, cornstarch, salt, paprika, garlic powder, and chopped pecans in a shallow dish.
Fry
- Heat oil to 350°F.
- Dredge chicken thoroughly, pressing pecans in so they stick.
- Fry in batches until golden and 165°F inside.
- Drain on a rack.
Waffles and assemble
- Cook waffles and drizzle with hot honey.
Tips
- Chop pecans small so they don’t burn before the chicken is cooked.
- If the crust browns too fast, drop oil temperature to 335°F and fry a bit longer.
Variations
- Add 1 to 2 tsp brown sugar to the dredge for a deeper, candied crunch.
4 Jalapeno Cheddar Hot Honey Chicken and Waffles
This one is loud in the best way. Cheddar in the waffle, jalapeño heat in every bite, and that sweet hot honey on top tying it all together like magic.
Ingredients
For the chicken
- Use the Classic Buttermilk Chicken from Recipe 1
For jalapeño cheddar waffles
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 3/4 cups buttermilk
- 1/2 cup melted butter
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar
- 1 jalapeño, finely diced (seeded for less heat)
- 2 tbsp chopped scallions (optional)
For hot honey
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 to 2 tbsp hot sauce
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp jalapeño brine from pickled jalapeños (optional, for tang)
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
Fry the chicken
- Make chicken using Recipe 1 steps.
Mix hot honey
- Warm honey, hot sauce, butter, jalapeño brine (if using), and salt until glossy.
Make jalapeño cheddar waffles
- Mix flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Whisk eggs, buttermilk, and butter.
- Combine gently, then fold in cheddar, jalapeño, and scallions.
- Cook until deeply golden and crisp.
Assemble
- Stack waffle, chicken, then drizzle hot honey over the top.
- Add extra jalapeño slices if you want a little drama.
Tips
- Pat jalapeños dry so the batter doesn’t get watery.
- Use sharp cheddar for the best flavor; mild can disappear.
Notes
- If kids are eating, seed the jalapeño and use less hot sauce in the honey. You’ll still get big flavor.
5 Bacon Infused Hot Honey Chicken and Waffles
This recipe tastes like weekend comfort with the volume turned up. Bacon in the waffles, bacon in the drizzle (yes), and crispy buttermilk chicken that makes everyone hover around the stove.
Ingredients
For the chicken
- Use the Classic Buttermilk Chicken from Recipe 1
For bacon waffles
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 3/4 cups buttermilk
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 1/4 cup bacon fat (melted, or use more butter)
- 6 to 8 slices bacon, cooked and chopped
- 1 tsp vanilla (optional but surprisingly good)
For bacon hot honey
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 to 2 tbsp hot sauce
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp bacon fat (optional, for extra savory depth)
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
Cook bacon
- Cook bacon until crisp, then chop.
- Save 1 to 2 tbsp bacon fat if desired.
Make chicken
- Fry chicken using Recipe 1 steps.
Make bacon hot honey
- Warm honey, hot sauce, butter, bacon fat (optional), and salt on low until smooth.
Make bacon waffles
- Mix flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.
- Whisk eggs, buttermilk, melted butter, bacon fat, and vanilla.
- Combine gently and fold in chopped bacon.
- Cook waffles until crisp.
Assemble
- Waffle, chicken, bacon hot honey drizzle.
- Optional: a tiny pinch of flaky salt over the honey right before serving for a sweet-salty finish.
Tips
- Don’t add steaming-hot bacon to batter; it can make the waffles greasy.
- Bacon fat adds flavor fast. Use a little, then taste and adjust next time.
Variations
- Add a pinch of smoked paprika to the hot honey to lean into that smoky bacon vibe.
6 Sweet Potato Hot Honey Chicken and Waffles
This one feels like comfort food with a little extra heart. Sweet potato waffles are tender, lightly sweet, and so good with spicy honey and crunchy buttermilk chicken.
Ingredients
For the chicken
- Use the Classic Buttermilk Chicken from Recipe 1
For sweet potato waffles
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon (optional)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
- 1 cup mashed sweet potato (cooked and cooled)
- 1/3 cup melted butter
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
For hot honey
- Use the Classic Hot Honey from Recipe 1
- Optional: add a pinch of cinnamon or chili flakes
Instructions
Cook sweet potato
- Bake or microwave sweet potato until very soft.
- Mash until smooth and let cool.
Fry chicken
- Make chicken using Recipe 1 steps.
Make sweet potato waffle batter
- Mix flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon (if using).
- Whisk eggs, buttermilk, mashed sweet potato, melted butter, brown sugar, and vanilla.
- Stir wet into dry just until combined.
Cook waffles
- Cook in a preheated waffle iron until golden and set.
Assemble
- Waffle, chicken, then hot honey.
- Add a little butter if you want it extra cozy.
Tips
- Cool the mashed sweet potato first so it doesn’t scramble the eggs.
- If batter feels thick (sweet potatoes vary), add 1 to 3 tbsp buttermilk to loosen.
Notes
- Sweet potato waffles are softer than classic ones. Cook them a touch longer for crisp edges that hold up under the chicken.
Serving Ideas and Make-It-Easy Shortcuts
These recipes are already a whole party, but a few simple moves make them even easier to pull off on real-life busy days.
Easy sides everyone loves
- Quick vinegar slaw (cabbage, salt, sugar, splash of vinegar)
- Pickles or pickled jalapeños
- Simple fruit salad to cool the heat
- Skillet green beans with garlic and butter
Shortcuts for weeknights
- Marinate chicken in the morning so dinner moves fast
- Make hot honey ahead and re-warm gently
- Keep waffles warm on a rack in a 200°F oven until serving
- If frying feels like too much, bake or air-fry (still dredge well for crunch)
Final tip
- If you’re feeding a family with mixed spice levels, make one mild batch of hot honey and one spicy batch. Same meal, everyone happy, and nobody feels left out.