Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Start by filleting the chicken breasts in half. Next, cut them into 2-inch squares and pound them out to about ¼ inch thick pieces. This helps them cook evenly and remain tender. Place these pieces in a large freezer bag.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the buttermilk and Cholula Original hot sauce, creating a spicy marinade. Pour this mixture over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are well-coated. Seal the bag and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight for maximum flavor.
- To make the waffles, preheat your waffle maker according to its instructions. Prepare the waffle mix according to the package directions. Once ready, pour a cup of batter into the center of the iron and close the lid. Cook for about 3 minutes or until golden brown. Transfer the waffles to a cooling rack and repeat until you have about 24 mini waffles. They can be made ahead and frozen for convenience.
- When you’re ready to fry the chicken, take it out of the fridge and let it rest in the bag at room temperature for 30 minutes. Prepare a station by pouring the reserved buttermilk mixture into a shallow bowl. In another bowl, mix the flour, kosher salt, and garlic powder until well combined.
- Pour half of the flour mixture into a gallon freezer bag. Take 4 to 5 pieces of the marinated chicken, coat them in the buttermilk mixture, shaking off any excess. Transfer them to the bag with the flour and shake until well coated. Repeat until all pieces are coated, placing them on a wire rack to rest for 15 minutes.
- In a heavy-bottomed cast iron pan, add about ¾ inch of Canola oil and heat to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Carefully add 3 to 4 pieces of the coated chicken to the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for 4 minutes on each side or until they are golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 180 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cooked chicken onto a sheet pan lined with paper towels. Lightly sprinkle with kosher salt. Repeat the frying process with the remaining chicken, skimming the oil as needed to maintain temperature.
- To keep the chicken warm, place it in a preheated oven at 250 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Now, it’s time to assemble! Stack the crispy chicken pieces between two waffles. Drizzle with your favorite sauces or serve with dipping sauces on the side. For an extra touch, you can top each slider with a fried egg if desired!
Notes
You can freeze both the chicken and waffles separately. Thaw before reheating for best results.