Waffle Batter Fried Chicken Tenders with Maple Mustard Dipping Sauce #SundaySupper

In my mind, you can’t go on a picnic without fried chicken. It’s un-American!  And with the 4th of July looming just a few mere days away, I’ve whipped up this amazing Waffle Batter Fried Chicken Tenders with Maple Mustard Dipping Sauce, because why not put it over the edge of awesome-sauciness!

I know, I know, that’s not a real word but somehow it just seems to fit! LOL Happy #SundaySupper everybody! Let’s go on a PICNIC!

**Please Note – The printable recipe card with detailed instructions and complete ingredient measurements for making Waffle Batter Fried Chicken Tenders with Maple Mustard Dipping Sauce is available near the end of this post. 

Chicken and waffles have been on my list of things to make for a long, long time but somehow they just kept getting pushed back to the end of the long list of things I’ve wanted to cook and share with you.

Then, a few weeks ago while we were out to dinner with my sister and her husband, the subject of chicken and waffles came up (go figure that we’d be discussing food, haha) and my brother-in-law mentioned that Popeye’s Chicken has a new waffle batter chicken commercial he’d seen on TV.

Right then and there, I knew what I needed to make. Pronto! No more pussyfooting around. We’ve got chicken to fry!!

This is my original recipe (sounds a little like KFC, don’t you think?) which was inspired by the idea of Popeye’s waffle batter chicken. I’ve never had, Popeye’s chicken, and now I won’t need to, because I think my Kudos Kitchen Waffle Batter Fried Chicken Tenders with Maple Mustard Dipping Sauce probably blows Popeye’s chicken right out of the water!

The ingredient list for making Waffle Batter Fried Chicken Tenders with Maple Mustard Dipping Sauce is as follows;

• chicken tenders
• pure maple syrup
• balsamic vinegar
• all-purpose flour
• granulated sugar
• baking powder
• milk
• eggs
• butter
• salt and pepper
• light colored oil for frying (I used peanut oil)
• stone ground mustard
• honey

The instructions for making Waffle Batter Fried Chicken Tenders with Maple Mustard Dipping Sauce is pretty straightforward. Let me show you how;

Place the chicken tenders in a ziptop bag along with pure maple syrup and balsamic vinegar. Set aside to marinate for 30-40 minutes. Meanwhile stir together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and pepper. In a small bowl, whisk the milk, eggs, melted butter, and maple syrup. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and whisk until blended.

Remove the chicken tenders from the marinade and dry them with paper towels. Dip the marinated chicken tenders into the waffle batter allowing the excess to drip off before frying them in hot oil (325-350 degrees). Carefully fry the tenders on both sides until golden brown (approximately 8-10 minutes) and the chicken is no longer pink in the middle.

Carefully remove the chicken tenders from the hot oil using a large slotted spoon and place on a rack to drain. Season lightly with additional salt, if desired. Continue the same process with the remaining chicken tenders. To make the dipping sauce stir the maple syrup, mustard and honey together in a small bowl. Serve the tenders with the sauce. Enjoy cold or hot!

One more thing before we get to the actual recipe. I made my own waffle batter from scratch, but feel free to use your favorite variety of boxed waffle mix (I won’t tell). However, when you do make the Waffle Batter Fried Chicken Tenders using a boxed waffle batter, make sure to add the maple syrup into the batter along and the melted butter. You won’t be sorry!

Below is the printable recipe card for today’s Waffle Batter Fried Chicken Tenders with Maple Mustard Dipping Sauce. If you enjoy this recipe and are anxious to give it a try, I’d appreciate if you’d take a moment to give this recipe some feedback by way of stars. Thank you so very much! 🙂

4 from 4 votes

Print

Waffle Batter Fried Chicken Tenders with Maple Mustard Dipping Sauce

Prep Time

30 mins

Cook Time

30 mins

Total Time

1 hr

 

All the flavors you love from a traditional chicken and waffles recipe, but in an easily transportable package. Perfect for parties or picnics.

Course: family favorite, Main Course

Cuisine: American Comfort Food, picnic

Keyword: chicken and waffles, fried chicken tenders, waffle batter fried chicken

Servings: 14

Calories: 881 kcal

Renee - Kudos Kitchen: Renee - Kudos Kitchen

Ingredients

To marinate the chicken tenders;

• ½ cup pure maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 3 pounds chicken tenders
• 1 gallon zip top bag
• 2½ 3 cups light oil for frying, I used peanut

To make the waffle batter;

• 2½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons coarse salt
• ½ teaspoons black pepper
• 1½ cups milk
• 2 large eggs
• 4 tablespoons butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup

To make the maple mustard dipping sauce;

• ¼ - ½ cup pure maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons stone ground mustard
• 2 tablespoons honey

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

To marinate the chicken tenders;

1. Place the chicken tenders, maple syrup, and balsamic vinegar in the zip-top bag. Massage the bag to coat all the chicken. Allow the tenders to marinate at least 30 minutes, but no longer than 1 hour.

2. After the chicken has marinated, dry the tenders on paper towels. Discard the remaining marinade.

To make the waffle batter (or use store-bought);

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, pepper, and baking powder.

   In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, eggs, milk, maple syrup.

   
   

2. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and whisk until combined. Allow the waffle batter to sit for 10 minutes before coating the tenders.

3. In a large, high-sided pan, bring the oil up to a temperature of 325-350 degrees.

   *Note - if you dip the handle of a wooden spoon into the oil and small bubbles happen around the base of the spoon (think champagne bubbles), the oil is ready for frying.

4. Dip the chicken tenders into the waffle batter and allow some to drip off before carefully adding the waffle coated tenders to the hot oil.

   Fry the tenders on both sides until golden brown (approximately 8-10 minutes) and the center is no longer pink.

5. Carefully remove the fried tenders from the oil using a large slotted spoon. Drain the fried tenders on paper towels and season immediately with additional salt, if desired.

   Continue the same process with the remaining chicken tenders.

To make the sauce;

1. Combine all the sauce ingredients in a small bowl and serve with the waffle batter fried chicken tenders. Serve hot or cold.

Recipe Notes

Note - If using boxed waffle mix, I still suggest adding the maple syrup and melted butter to the batter for extra flavor.

Tools and equipment:

large high sided pan (for frying), large slotted spoon, large bowl, medium bowl, small bowl, measuring cups, measuring spoons, gallon zip-top bag, cooking thermometer (for heating oil), paper towels, baking sheets (optional).

Nutrition Facts

Waffle Batter Fried Chicken Tenders with Maple Mustard Dipping Sauce

Amount Per Serving (1 g)

Calories 881 Calories from Fat 324

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 36g 55%

Saturated Fat 10g 50%

Cholesterol 231mg 77%

Sodium 1221mg 51%

Potassium 1358mg 39%

Total Carbohydrates 77g 26%

Dietary Fiber 1g 4%

Sugars 33g

Protein 57g 114%

Vitamin A 9%

Vitamin C 3.3%

Calcium 25.6%

Iron 21.6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this recipe for Waffle Batter Fried Chicken Tenders with Maple Mustard Dipping Sauce as much as I’ve enjoyed bringing it to you!!

Ahhhh, so good, right?

Before we go any further with our virtual #SundaySupper picnic, I’d like to take a moment to thank our hostess for this week Jane, of Jane’s Adventures in Dinner, and as always the “behind the scenes” hard working bees that keep us all organized and in line…Heather of Girlichef and of course Renee of Magnolia Days. Thanks, ladies. Guess it just goes to show that sometimes too many cooks in the kitchen can be a very, very good thing!

And now, let’s open that picnic basket a little further and see what the other #SundaySupper members brought to our virtual picnic…I hope you’re hungry!
Beverages

• Orange Blossom Iced Tea by girlichef
• Red, White, and Blue Sangria by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
• Rosemary Nectarine Sparkling Cocktail by Food Lust People Love
• Best Picnic Wines by ENOFYLZ Wine Blog

Appetizers

• Baked Garlic Parmesan Wings by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
• Buffalo Chicken Spring Rolls by Daily Dish Recipes
• Peppadew Dip by Confessions of a Culinary Diva
• Savory Red, White, and Bleu Truffles by Culinary Adventures with Camilla

Mains

• Asparagus and Cheddar Quiche by Mess Makes Food
• London Broil with Caramelized Red Onions by Crazy Foodie Stunts
• Stilton Potato and Stilton Pies by Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
• Waffle Batter Fried Chicken Tenders with Maple Mustard Dipping Sauce by Kudos Kitchen by Renee

Sides

• Mushroom and Gruyere Cheesecake by Peaceful Cooking
• Scotch Eggs by Small Wallet, Big Appetite

Salads

• Caprese Pasta Salad by La Bella Vita Cucina
• Farro & Walnut Salad by Foxes Love Lemons
• Fruit Tortellini Salad by Jelly Toast
• Gluten Free Potato Salad by Gluten Free Crumbley
• Japanese Noodle Salad by Noshing With The Nolands
• Kale and Quinoa Tabbouli by Healthy. Delicious.
• Layered Chicken Salad by Nosh My Way
• Lightened Up Macaroni Salad by Peanut Butter and Peppers
• Loaded Potato Salad by Granny’s Down Home Sassy Southern Cooking
• Mexican 3 Bean Salad by Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen
• Old Fashioned Potato Salad by Life Tastes Good
• Orzo Salad with Kale Pesto by Cooking Chat
• Pizza Pasta Salad by Curious Cuisiniere
• Red, White and Blue Fruit and Cheese Salad by Shockingly Delicious
• Tomato Bean Salad by Family Foodie
• Tuna Noodle Salad by Hot Momma’s Kitchen Chaos
• Vegetable Salad by Magnolia Days
• Veggie Pasta Salad by Pescetarian Journal
• Watermelon and Feta Salad with Verjus by The Wimpy Vegetarian

Sandwiches and Wraps

• Pan Bagnat by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
• Panino con la Salamella by Manu’s Menu
• Roast Beef Wraps by Cookin’ Mimi

Sweets

• Banana Pudding Cheesecake by Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch
• Berry Cheesecake Chocolate Chip Cookie Cups {#glutenfree option} by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
• Cherry Chip Blossom Cupcakes by NinjaBaking.com
• Cherry Pie Crumb Bars by The Girl In the Little Red Kitchen
• Chocolate Chunk Brownies by What Smells So Good?
• Chocolate Syrup Brownies by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
• Chocolate Zucchini Cake by Killer Bunnies, Inc
• Coconut Oil Chocolate Chip Cookies by Alida’s Kitchen
• Flag Cake by Pies and Plots
• Peanut Butter Frosted Brownies by Feed Me, Seymour
• Red, White, and Blue Berry Angel Food Cake Parfaits by Neighborfood
• S’mores Crumb Bars by The Redhead Baker
• Stained Glass Jello with Coconut Milk Panna Cotta by Simply Gourmet
• Strawberry Banana Oat Muffins by Sue’s Nutrition Buzz

Should you have any questions regarding this recipe for Waffle Batter Fried Chicken Tenders with Maple Mustard Dipping Sauce, or anything else you’ve seen on my site, please don’t hesitate to contact me directly, or leave me a comment in the comment section below. It is always my distinct pleasure to get back to you with a reply just as soon as I possibly can!

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Kudos Kitchen by Renée ~ Cooking up artistically delicious family-friendly dishes from my Kudos Kitchen to yours!

Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!