Name: Maple Waffle Chicken Nuggets Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, cut into small chunks; Vegetable oil, for frying, plus ½ cup for the batter; 2 cups unbleached, all-purpose flour, plus 2 tablespoons for dusting; 1 tablespoon baking powder; 1 tablespoon sugar; ¼ teaspoon salt; 1 ⅓ cups milk; ⅓ – ½ cup maple syrup; 2 large eggs; ½ teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 part honey; 1 part maple syrup; 1 part honey mustard

Introduction

Maple Waffle Chicken Nuggets are a delightful twist on classic chicken nuggets, combining crispy chicken with a sweet, maple-infused waffle batter. Perfect for a fun appetizer or a cozy comfort meal, these nuggets come with a delicious honey-mustard and maple syrup dip that will keep you coming back for more.

A white plate is filled with golden brown fried fritters that look crispy on the outside with some darker spots showing a crunchy texture. In the middle of the plate, there is a white bowl filled with thick honey-colored sauce. A woman's hand is holding one fritter above the bowl, with a thin stream of the sticky sauce dripping down from the fritter into the bowl. The background shows a blurred honey bottle and a glass jar, all placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, cut into small chunks

Vegetable oil, for frying, plus ½ cup for the batter

2 cups unbleached, all-purpose flour, plus 2 tablespoons for dusting

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 tablespoon sugar

¼ teaspoon salt

1 ⅓ cups milk

⅓ – ½ cup maple syrup

2 large eggs

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Dip: 1 part honey

For the Dip: 1 part maple syrup

For the Dip: 1 part honey mustard

Instructions

Step 1: Separate the egg yolks and whites into two bowls. Beat the yolks and set aside. Whip the egg whites until stiff peaks form and set aside.

Step 2: In a large skillet, heat about one inch of vegetable oil over medium-high heat.

Step 3: In a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. In a separate bowl, mix the ½ cup vegetable oil, milk, beaten egg yolks, vanilla extract, and maple syrup (use between ⅓ and ½ cup depending on desired sweetness).

Step 4: Make a well in the dry ingredients and pour in the wet mixture. Stir gently until just combined.

Step 5: Fold in the beaten egg whites carefully, keeping some lumps to retain the batter’s lightness.

Step 6: Test the oil by dipping the end of a wooden spoon; if bubbles form around it after a couple of seconds, the oil is ready.

Step 7: Lightly dust the chicken pieces with 2 tablespoons of flour, then dip them into the batter, allowing excess to drip off. Fry the nuggets in batches, avoiding overcrowding, cooking for about 4 minutes total and flipping once, until golden brown and cooked through. Reduce heat if browning too fast.

Step 8: Drain the cooked nuggets on paper towels as you finish frying all batches.

Step 9: Combine equal parts honey, maple syrup, and honey mustard to make the dipping sauce and serve alongside the warm nuggets.

Tips & Variations

For extra crispiness, ensure the oil temperature is well maintained and avoid overcrowding the pan.

Adjust the amount of maple syrup in the batter to suit your preferred level of sweetness.

Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for juicier nuggets.

Try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper to the batter for a subtle spicy kick.

FAQs

Can I bake these chicken nuggets instead of frying?

While frying gives the crispiest texture, you can bake the battered chicken nuggets on a greased baking sheet at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through. They won’t be quite as crispy but still delicious.

What can I use if I don’t have maple syrup?

You can substitute maple syrup with honey or a mix of honey and brown sugar for a similar sweet flavor. Adjust the quantity according to your taste preference.