Who said chicken and waffles had to stay on a plate? I still remember the first time I served these Chicken and Waffle Skewers at my nephew’s birthday party—the kids went wild for them! There’s something magical about that sweet-salty combo, especially when it’s portable enough to eat while running around the backyard. These skewers take all the cozy comfort of the classic dish and turn it into the perfect party food or quick snack. Plus, they’re so easy to make, you’ll wonder why you didn’t try this sooner. Trust me, once you start serving them, they’ll disappear faster than you can say “pass the maple syrup!”
Why You’ll Love These Chicken and Waffle Skewers
Let me tell you why these skewers are about to become your new go-to recipe:
- Portable perfection: No fork needed—just grab and go! Perfect for picnics, game days, or chasing kids around the yard.
- Kid-approved magic: The fun skewer presentation makes even picky eaters excited to try them (I’ve seen it work miracles!).
- Party superstar: They disappear fast at gatherings—the ideal balance of sweet, savory, and handheld convenience.
- Effortless to make: Uses simple ingredients you probably have right now, ready in under 20 minutes flat.
Honestly, the hardest part is keeping people from eating them straight off the baking sheet!
Ingredients for Chicken and Waffle Skewers
Here’s everything you’ll need to make these irresistible skewers. I like to gather all my ingredients before starting—it makes the process so much smoother when you’re not scrambling mid-recipe!
- The protein: 2 cups cooked chicken, diced into 1-inch cubes (I use leftover rotisserie chicken when I’m in a hurry—total game changer!)
- The sweet stuff: 8 mini waffles, cooked and quartered (homemade or frozen both work—just toast them first for extra crunch)
- The sauce magic: 1/4 cup pure maple syrup (none of that artificial stuff—the real deal makes all the difference)
- The kick: 1/4 cup hot sauce (adjust to your spice tolerance—I’m partial to Louisiana-style for that perfect tang)
- The essentials: 8 wooden skewers (soak these in water for 30 minutes first to prevent burning)
- The finishing touch: 1 tbsp butter, melted (salted or unsalted works—just adds that beautiful golden sheen)
See? Nothing fancy required! The beauty of this recipe is how simple the ingredients are while delivering that wow factor. Just wait until you smell these cooking—your kitchen will smell like Saturday morning breakfast meets game day snacks!
How to Make Chicken and Waffle Skewers
Ready to turn these simple ingredients into something spectacular? Here’s how I make my crowd-pleasing skewers every time:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) – this gives it time to reach the perfect temperature while you assemble.
- Thread those skewers! Alternate chicken and waffle pieces like you’re making edible jewelry. I do about 3 chicken pieces and 4 waffle quarters per skewer.
- Brush each skewer lightly with melted butter – this helps them get that gorgeous golden color we all love.
- Bake for 5-7 minutes until the chicken is heated through and the waffle edges just start to crisp. Watch closely after 5 minutes – nobody likes dried out waffles!
- Drizzle with your maple syrup and hot sauce combo right before serving. The heat makes the syrup soak in perfectly.
Pro Tips for Perfect Skewers
After making these dozens of times (my neighbors keep requesting them!), here are my hard-won lessons:
- Soak those sticks! 30 minutes in water prevents nasty burnt skewer ends. (Learned this the smoky way…)
- Warm waffles thread easier – if using frozen, toast them slightly first so they don’t crumble.
- Gluten-free? Any waffle works! I’ve had great success with almond flour versions too.
- Short on time? Microwave the chicken for 30 seconds before skewering to reduce bake time.
- Kid tip: Use plastic cocktail picks for little ones – safer and just as fun!
Serving Suggestions for Chicken and Waffle Skewers
These skewers shine brightest when served hot off the baking sheet—that’s when the waffles are at their crispiest! I love setting them out with small bowls of extra maple syrup and hot sauce for dipping. For parties, I’ll sometimes add a tangy coleslaw or fruit salad on the side to balance the richness. And here’s my secret: place them on a big platter with the skewers all pointing the same direction—it makes for such a pretty (and tempting!) presentation.
Storage and Reheating
Okay, let’s talk leftovers – because let’s be real, these skewers are so good you might actually have some! Here’s how to keep them tasting fresh:
Fridge life: Store any uneaten skewers in an airtight container for up to 2 days. (But seriously, they rarely last that long in my house!) I like to separate them with parchment paper so they don’t stick together.
Reheating magic: Pop them back in a 350°F oven for 5 minutes to revive that perfect crispiness. The microwave? Don’t do it – you’ll end up with sad, soggy waffles that lost all their charm. Trust me, I learned this the hard way after one lazy midnight snack attempt!
Pro tip: If you’re planning ahead, you can assemble the skewers up to 4 hours before baking—just cover them with a damp paper towel in the fridge to keep everything fresh. The butter brushing and sauce drizzle should always wait until right before baking though!
Chicken and Waffle Skewers Variations
One of my favorite things about this recipe is how easily you can mix it up! Here are some of my favorite twists when I’m feeling creative:
- Pancake power: Swap the waffles for bite-sized pancake squares – the extra fluffiness soaks up syrup beautifully. (Bonus points if you make buttermilk pancakes!)
- Bacon boost: Add crispy bacon crumbles between the chicken and waffle pieces – because everything’s better with bacon, right?
- Sweet heat: Try brushing the skewers with honey sriracha glaze instead of maple syrup for an addictive spicy-sweet combo.
- Breakfast edition: Use sausage balls instead of chicken for a morning-friendly version – my kids beg for these on weekends!
The possibilities are endless! Once you’ve mastered the basic recipe, don’t be afraid to play around with flavors – that’s half the fun of cooking.
Nutritional Information
Now let’s talk numbers—because even delicious treats deserve a little nutritional transparency! These estimates are per skewer (based on my standard recipe), but remember: values will dance around depending on your specific ingredients. Here’s the scoop:
- Calories: About 180 per skewer (perfect for guilt-free snacking!)
- Protein: 12g (thanks to that hearty chicken – keeps you full longer)
- Carbs: 20g (mostly from the waffles – worth every bite)
- Fat: 6g (that butter does its magic without going overboard)
Psst—if you’re watching sodium, go easy on the hot sauce drizzle. And for my gluten-free friends? Swap in your favorite GF waffles and you’re golden! As my grandma used to say: “Good food is about balance, not deprivation.” (Though she never turned down an extra syrup drizzle herself!)
FAQs About Chicken and Waffle Skewers
Over the years, I’ve gotten all sorts of questions about these skewers – here are the ones that pop up most often:
- Can I make these ahead? Absolutely! Assemble skewers (minus sauces) up to 4 hours early. Just refrigerate covered with a damp towel until baking time.
- What’s the best waffle type? Frozen mini waffles work great, but homemade Belgian-style add amazing texture. Just toast them slightly so they hold their shape on the skewers.
- How spicy should the hot sauce be? Totally your call! I use medium heat, but for kids I’ll sometimes swap in BBQ sauce or just extra maple syrup.
- Can I grill these instead? You bet! Just use metal skewers and grill over medium heat for 3-4 minutes per side – gives them awesome smoky flavor.
- Any vegetarian options? Try firm tofu cubes or halloumi cheese – they give that same satisfying bite when paired with the sweet waffles.
20-Minute Chicken and Waffle Skewers That Wow Every Time
A fun and easy twist on the classic chicken and waffles, served on skewers for a portable and delicious meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Total Time: 17 minutes
- Yield: 8 skewers 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Lactose
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken, diced
- 8 mini waffles, cooked and quartered
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup hot sauce
- 8 wooden skewers
- 1 tbsp butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Thread chicken and waffle pieces alternately onto skewers.
- Place skewers on a baking sheet and brush with melted butter.
- Bake for 5-7 minutes until heated through.
- Drizzle with maple syrup and hot sauce before serving.
Notes
- Use pre-cooked chicken for faster preparation.
- For extra crispiness, toast the waffles before skewering.
- Adjust hot sauce to taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 skewer
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
