Honey Beer BBQ Chicken and Waffles: The Ultimate Grilled Twist on a Southern Classic
Rethink your brunch game and elevate your weeknight dinner with a dish that’s both comforting and exciting: **Honey Beer BBQ Chicken and Waffles**. Forget the standard fried chicken; we’re taking succulent, beer-marinated barbecue chicken straight from the grill, pairing it with a fluffy, soft waffle, and crowning it with a vibrant herbed buttermilk ranch dressing and a generous drizzle of golden honey. This recipe isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience, a delightful dance of sweet, savory, tangy, and smoky flavors that will surprise and satisfy your palate.
This website uses affiliate links. See our Privacy Policy for more information.
Why This Isn’t Your Grandma’s Chicken and Waffles (Unless She’s Super Cool)
The classic combination of crispy fried chicken and sweet waffles has long held a special place in the hearts of food lovers, especially in Southern cuisine. It’s a dish that embodies comfort, indulgence, and a unique sweet-and-savory harmony. But what if we told you there’s a way to enhance this beloved tradition, infusing it with even more depth and flavor, all while making it a bit lighter and perfect for grilling season?
Enter our Honey Beer BBQ Chicken and Waffles. We’ve reimagined this iconic duo by swapping out the deep-fried chicken for a tender, grilled version. This isn’t just any grilled chicken, though. It’s marinated in beer, which works wonders to tenderize the meat and infuse it with a subtle, malty richness. Then, it’s basted with a luscious barbecue sauce and kissed with honey, creating a caramelized exterior that’s absolutely irresistible.
I received complementary bottles from Budweiser’s new line of barbecue sauces for this recipe. I have received no other compensation.
The Star of the Show: Beer-Marinated BBQ Chicken
The foundation of our extraordinary chicken lies in its marinade. A simple blend of beer, cider vinegar, hot sauce, and kosher salt transforms ordinary boneless, skinless chicken thighs into something spectacular. Beer is an amazing natural tenderizer, breaking down tough muscle fibers while imparting a unique, earthy flavor that beautifully complements the smoky notes of the grill. The cider vinegar adds a tangy brightness, and a touch of hot sauce provides a subtle kick without overwhelming the palate. Marinating overnight is ideal, allowing these incredible flavors to fully penetrate the meat, resulting in incredibly juicy and tender chicken with every bite.
Grilling the chicken adds another layer of complexity and texture that you simply can’t achieve with frying. The char from the grill, combined with the sweet and smoky barbecue sauce, creates a delightful, slightly crispy crust while keeping the interior moist and succulent. Basting regularly with your favorite BBQ sauce during grilling ensures a beautiful glaze and deepens the flavor profile, making for an unforgettable eating experience. We recommend using boneless, skinless chicken thighs as they stay more moist and flavorful on the grill compared to chicken breast. Once grilled to perfection, the chicken is sliced into easy-to-manage pieces, ready to be nestled onto those fluffy waffles.
Elevating the Flavor: Homemade Herbed Buttermilk Ranch and Honey
While maple syrup is the traditional accompaniment for chicken and waffles, we’re taking a bolder, more sophisticated approach with our homemade Herbed Buttermilk Ranch dressing. This creamy, tangy, and fresh component perfectly balances the rich BBQ chicken and sweet honey, creating a flavor combination that is truly dynamic. This isn’t your average bottled ranch; it’s made with fresh ingredients like plain Greek yogurt, rich buttermilk, creamy mayonnaise, finely minced garlic, and a generous medley of fresh chopped herbs. The addition of jalapeños (two large or four regular) provides a mild, welcome heat that awakens the senses, creating a more engaging flavor experience without being overly spicy.
The beauty of this ranch is its versatility. You can whip it up quickly while the chicken is grilling, or prepare it a day in advance to allow the flavors to meld and deepen beautifully. The Greek yogurt adds a lovely creaminess and a slight tang, while the buttermilk provides that quintessential ranch essence. The fresh herbs—basil, chives, thyme, and oregano are my personal favorites, plucked straight from my garden—infuse the dressing with an irresistible aroma and bright, fresh flavor. I personally love going heavy on the oregano; its robust, peppery notes are a fantastic counterpoint to the smoky chicken and sweet honey. A final squeeze of fresh lemon juice adds a burst of zest, tying all the elements together into a cohesive, mouthwatering sauce.
And let’s not forget the honey! A generous drizzle of golden honey not only sweetens the deal but also echoes the “honey” in our BBQ chicken, creating a cohesive and utterly delicious flavor profile that will have you coming back for more. This vibrant combination truly redefines the chicken and waffles experience, transforming it into something extraordinary.
The Fluffy Canvas: Perfect Waffles Every Time
No chicken and waffles dish is complete without the perfect waffle. For this recipe, we’re aiming for light, airy, and fluffy waffles with just the right amount of crispness on the outside to provide a delightful textural contrast. Our waffle recipe uses a harmonious combination of eggs, buttermilk, all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and melted butter to achieve this ideal texture. Buttermilk is crucial here; its natural acidity reacts with the leavening agents, resulting in tender, incredibly moist waffles that practically melt in your mouth. Unlike traditional maple syrup, these waffles serve as a delightful, neutral base that absorbs the rich flavors of the chicken, ranch, and honey.
Making waffles is surprisingly straightforward, especially with a good quality waffle iron. The key is not to overmix the batter – a few lumps are perfectly fine and actually lead to a more tender, less tough waffle. Ensure your waffle iron is adequately preheated and lightly greased according to its instructions to prevent sticking and ensure a beautiful golden-brown finish. Once cooked, these waffles provide the perfect soft yet sturdy foundation for our robust BBQ chicken and creamy ranch, ready to soak up all the delicious juices and dressings.
A Culinary Journey: From Savannah to Your Kitchen
My love for chicken and waffles runs deep. It’s one of those culinary pleasures I actively seek out, much like shrimp and grits. Whenever I travel to places renowned for their rich Southern cuisine, like the charming city of Savannah, Georgia, indulging in chicken and waffles is a non-negotiable item on my food itinerary. The sheer joy of finding a restaurant or diner that truly masters this comforting dish is an unparalleled experience.
I ❤ Savannah. . . #momblogger #feedfeed #vacation #picoftheday #flowers #savannah #travel #instagood #instalike
A post shared by Erica’s Recipes (@ericasrecipes) on
This recipe for Honey Beer BBQ Chicken and Waffles is my way of bringing that same joy and culinary adventure right into your home, but with a fresh, exciting twist that’s perfect for any occasion. It’s a dish that feels special enough for a festive weekend brunch or dinner party, but is surprisingly easy to prepare for a satisfying and unique weeknight meal, making it incredibly versatile.
Putting It All Together: A Symphony of Flavors and Textures
The true brilliance of this recipe lies in how seamlessly each component comes together to create a cohesive and deeply satisfying dish. Imagine: the smoky, sweet, and tangy grilled chicken; the cool, creamy, and vibrantly herby ranch; the tender, slightly crisp waffle acting as the perfect edible plate; and the final kiss of sweet, golden honey. Each bite offers a harmonious blend of textures and tastes that is truly addictive and memorable.
The preparation is designed to be incredibly straightforward, allowing you to enjoy the cooking process and the delicious results without unnecessary stress:
- **Marinate the Chicken:** This is mostly hands-off time in the fridge. For the deepest flavor penetration, marinate overnight (12-24 hours), but even 4 hours will impart wonderful tenderness and taste.
- **Prepare the Ranch:** While the chicken is marinating or grilling, quickly whisk together the ranch ingredients. Preparing it in advance allows the flavors to meld beautifully, making it even more delicious.
- **Grill the Chicken:** Cook the marinated chicken over medium-high heat until it’s perfectly tender, cooked through, and beautifully glazed with the barbecue sauce.
- **Make the Waffles:** While the grilled chicken rests for a few minutes, fire up your waffle iron and cook the fluffy waffles according to your iron’s instructions.
- **Assemble and Serve:** Layer the sliced BBQ chicken on a warm waffle, drizzle generously with the chilled herbed buttermilk ranch and golden honey.
This organized approach ensures that all elements are ready at the same time, allowing you to serve a fresh, hot, and perfectly assembled meal to your family and friends. The “YUMMMM” factor is off the charts – seriously, it’s ridiculously good and will undoubtedly become a new favorite in your recipe rotation!
Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a home cook looking for a fun new recipe to spice things up, this Honey Beer BBQ Chicken and Waffles offers a fantastic culinary adventure. It’s a super fun, super easy way to enjoy one of my all-time favorite comfort foods with an exciting, modern update. Don’t limit chicken and waffles to just breakfast or brunch; this hearty and flavorful meal is absolutely perfect for any time of day!
For more grilling inspiration and tips, make sure to check out my recipe for Grilled Steak with Horseradish Dijon Sauce for all the secrets to achieving a perfectly grilled steak every time.
Honey Beer BBQ Chicken and Waffles
Print
Pin
Rate
Equipment
-
waffle iron
Ingredients
For the Honey Beer BBQ Chicken:
- 1 cup beer
- 1 Tbs cider vinegar
- 2 tsp hot sauce
- 1 Tbs kosher salt
- 1 ¾ to 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
- barbecue sauce
- honey for drizzling
For the Herbed Buttermilk Ranch:
- 2 large or 4 regular jalapenos
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- ½ cup buttermilk
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 clove garlic minced
- pinch kosher salt
- pinch fresh cracked pepper
- ¼ cup generous fresh chopped herbs (see Notes)
- juice of half a lemon
For the Waffles:
- 2 eggs
- 1 ¾ cup buttermilk
- 1 ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- 4 Tbsp unsalted butter melted
Instructions
-
To marinate the chicken, combine the beer, hot sauce, cider vinegar, and kosher salt in a resealable bag or shallow dish. Add the boneless skinless chicken thighs, ensuring they are fully coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish and marinate in the refrigerator overnight, or for a minimum of 4 hours, for best flavor and tenderness.
-
Combine all ingredients for the Herbed Buttermilk Ranch (jalapeños, Greek yogurt, buttermilk, mayonnaise, minced garlic, kosher salt, fresh cracked pepper, fresh chopped herbs, and lemon juice) in a bowl. Whisk vigorously until the dressing is smooth and well combined. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. If you prefer a thinner consistency, add additional buttermilk one tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached. Cover with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve. This dressing can be made a day in advance for optimal flavor development.
-
Preheat your outdoor grill or indoor grill pan to medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade, discarding the marinade. Lightly brush both sides of the marinated chicken thighs with your favorite barbecue sauce. Place the chicken on the preheated grill. Grill chicken for approximately 15-20 minutes, turning occasionally and brushing with more barbecue sauce every few minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and deeply glazed. The internal temperature of the thickest part of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C). Remove from the grill and set aside on a cutting board to rest for 5-10 minutes. Resting allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring tender and moist chicken.
-
While the chicken is resting, prepare your waffles. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, kosher salt, and melted unsalted butter until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter; a few lumps are perfectly fine and will result in a more tender waffle. Cook the waffle batter in your preheated waffle iron according to the manufacturer’s directions until they are golden brown and cooked through. Keep waffles warm in a low oven if not serving immediately.
-
To assemble and serve: Slice the rested BBQ chicken into convenient strips or chunks. Place a warm, fluffy waffle on a plate. Layer generously with the sliced Honey Beer BBQ Chicken. Drizzle liberally with the chilled Herbed Buttermilk Ranch dressing and a generous amount of golden honey. Garnish with additional fresh herbs if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy this delightful sweet and savory creation! You can enjoy this dish with a fork and knife, or for a more casual and fun experience, eat it taco-style with your hands! Yields: 4-5 servings.
Notes
Nutrition
~✿♥✿~
