A fun twist on a Southern classic, these Sweet Potato Chicken and Waffles strike the perfect balance of sweet and savory. Crispy, juicy chicken is served over fluffy sweet potato waffles, then topped with maple syrup and chopped pecans for the ultimate comfort food experience. Whether you serve them for breakfast, brunch, or as a creative dinner entrée, this dish is guaranteed to be a hit.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
The sweet potato waffles bring a warm, slightly sweet flavor that pairs beautifully with crunchy fried chicken. Maple syrup adds a touch of sweetness while chopped pecans provide a nutty crunch, creating layers of flavor and texture in every bite. It’s a dish that feels indulgent and satisfying, yet still seasonal and creative enough to impress your guests.
A Versatile Dish for Any Occasion
These chicken and waffles are as versatile as they are delicious. Serve them at a weekend brunch with friends, as a fun breakfast-for-dinner option, or even as a holiday meal centerpiece with a twist. You can keep it classic with fried chicken, or lighten it up with oven-baked or air-fried chicken if you prefer.
Tips for Serving
- Drizzle with extra maple syrup or even hot honey for a little heat.
- Add a dollop of cinnamon butter on top of the waffles for extra richness.
- Serve with fresh fruit on the side to balance the richness of the dish.
With their cozy flavors and crave-worthy combination of sweet and savory, these Sweet Potato Chicken and Waffles are the kind of recipe you’ll want to make again and again.
How to Store and Reheat Sweet Potato Chicken and Waffles
- Refrigerator: Store leftover chicken and waffles separately in airtight containers. They’ll stay fresh in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze waffles in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. For chicken, freeze cooked pieces wrapped tightly in foil or plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months.
- Reheating Waffles: Toast waffles in a toaster or warm in the oven at 350°F for 5–7 minutes until crisp.
- Reheating Chicken: Reheat fried or baked chicken in the oven or air fryer at 350°F for 10–12 minutes until hot and crispy. Avoid the microwave, which can make the breading soggy.
Troubleshooting Tips for Perfect Chicken and Waffles
- Waffles Too Dense: This usually means the batter was overmixed. Mix just until the ingredients come together for light, fluffy waffles.
- Waffles Not Crisp Enough: Make sure your waffle iron is fully preheated before adding the batter. For extra crispiness, pop cooked waffles into a 350°F oven for a few minutes.
- Chicken Not Crispy: If frying, keep the oil at the right temperature (around 350°F). If the oil is too cool, the chicken will absorb excess oil and turn greasy.
- Chicken Undercooked: Always check the internal temperature—it should reach 165°F. Thicker chicken pieces may need a little more time in the oven after frying.
- Toppings Sliding Off: Let waffles and chicken cool just slightly before adding syrup or butter so the toppings stay in place without melting too quickly.
Tools Used To Make Sweet Potato Chicken & Waffles
- Dash Mini Waffle Maker (Amazon $10)
- 12 piece white dishware set (Amazon $79.99)
- Kitchen Aid 7 Speed Hand Mixer (Amazon $90)
- Caraway 10.5 in Fry Pan in Navy (Amazon $95)
Sweet Potato Chicken and Waffles
Equipment
Ingredients
Sweet Potato Waffles
- 2 cups sweet potato, mashed
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour
- salt
- pepper
Chicken
- 16 chicken tenderloins
- olive oil
- Salt (lightly sprinkle evenly across each tenderloin)
- Pepper (lightly sprinkle evenly across each tenderloin)
- Garlic Powder (lightly sprinkle evenly across each tenderloin)
Toppings
- Maple Syrup
- 1/3 cup Chopped Pecans (optional)
Instructions
Sweet Potato Waffles
- Prepare your sweet potatoes by either baking them or microwaving them. If baking, preheat your oven to 425F. Pierce your sweet potatoes 4-5 times and bake in the oven for 45-50 minutes. If microwaving, pierce your sweet potatoes 4-5 times and microwave on a microwave-safe plate for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Remove skin from sweet potatoes
- Add roasted sweet potato, eggs, and flour to bowl and mix until evenly combined. Season with salt & pepper as desired
- Preheat your waffle iron. Once heated, spray with cooking oil and pour waffle batter onto your iron.
- Remove the waffles from the iron and place them on a cooling rack. This will keep them from getting soggy
Chicken Tenderloins
- Evenly season Chicken tenderloins with salt, pepper, and garlic powder on each side
- Next, heat a large fry pan over medium heat, pour olive oil in the pan and allow it to warm up, about 1 minute
- Add the chicken and cook for about 4 minutes. Use kitchen tongs to flip the chicken over and cook for another 4 minutes; until the chicken is golden brown
- Remove from pan and serve on top of Sweet Potato Waffles
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