I’m so excited to share my Chicken and Waffle Sliders recipe with you! These mini sandwiches pair slightly sweet toasted waffles with crispy, spicy chicken, tangy pickles, and crunchy slaw — every bite is sweet, salty, and a little spicy. They’re perfect for brunch, game day, or a party.
Level: Easy
Total Time: 35 minutes
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 20 mini sliders (about 10 servings)
Course: Appetizer / Snack / Brunch
Cuisine: American
I first made these sliders when I wanted something playful and shareable for a party. They’re fun to assemble and everyone loves the combo: warm waffle, a crunchy piece of chicken, a little slaw for crunch, a dill pickle for tang, and a sticky maple-spice sauce to bring it all together.
This recipe uses frozen chicken nuggets and mini waffles to keep things fast. The homemade sauce is the star — it’s buttery, sweet, and has a smoky-spicy kick from paprika and cayenne. I’ll walk you through each step simply so you can make a big batch for a crowd without stress.
How to Make Chicken And Waffle Sliders
The idea is straightforward:
• Bake frozen chicken until crispy.
• Make a warm maple-spice sauce and keep it loose enough to drizzle.
• Toast mini waffles and split them if needed.
• Stack a nugget, a spoonful of slaw, a drizzle of sauce, and a pickle between two mini waffles.
• Secure with a toothpick and serve.
Ingredients
• Cooking spray (for the baking sheet)
• 1 (16-ounce) package frozen chicken nuggets (use good-quality, real-chicken nuggets) — you’ll use 20 nuggets for the sliders and can save extras for later
• ¼ cup (4 tablespoons) butter
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground paprika
• 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper (reduce for less heat)
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1–2 tablespoons water, if needed to thin the sauce
• 1 (11-ounce) package mini waffles (such as frozen mini waffles — about 40 pieces; you’ll use 40 to make 20 sliders) — or split each waffle into 4 if using larger ones
• 1 cup prepared slaw (store-bought or homemade)
• 20 small dill pickle slices
Directions
- Preheat and prepare pans:
• Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. - Bake the chicken:
• Arrange 20 chicken nuggets in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake 6 minutes, flip each nugget, then bake 5–7 minutes more until crispy and cooked through. Remove from oven and keep warm. - Make the sauce while the nuggets bake:
• In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, combine butter, maple syrup, canola oil, brown sugar, paprika, cayenne, kosher salt, garlic powder, and black pepper.
• Stir constantly for 3–5 minutes until the sauce is smooth and combined.
• If the sauce becomes too thick, lower the heat and whisk in 1 to 2 tablespoons of water until it loosens. Keep the sauce warm on the lowest heat. - Toast the waffles:
• While the sauce is finishing, toast the mini waffles according to package directions. If your waffles are full-size, separate each into smaller mini pieces (the recipe uses two mini waffles per slider). Keep them warm. - Assemble the sliders:
• Place one toasted mini waffle on your work surface. Top with one crispy chicken nugget.
• Add 1 heaping teaspoon of prepared slaw on top of the nugget.
• Drizzle about 1 teaspoon of the warm sauce over the slaw.
• Top with one dill pickle slice, then place a second mini waffle on top.
• Secure with a toothpick or small skewer if you like. Repeat until you’ve made 20 sliders. - Serve:
• Serve immediately with extra sauce on the side for dipping. These are best hot and fresh.
Process Details
• Why use frozen nuggets: Frozen nuggets save time and give consistent crispiness; pick good-quality nuggets with real chicken for best flavor and texture.
• Sauce texture: The sauce should be smooth and pourable. It thickens as it cools, so keep it warm and whisk in a splash of water if it gets too thick.
• Waffles as buns: Slightly sweet waffles balance the savory chicken and spicy sauce. Toasting makes them slightly crisp so they hold the slider together.
• Slaw and pickle: The slaw adds cool crunch and the pickle adds bright acidity — both cut through the richness and sweetness of the sauce.
• Assemble just before serving: Sliders are best when the waffles are still crisp. Assemble right before guests arrive so nothing gets soggy.
Tips for Success
• Choose good nuggets: Look for nuggets with whole-chicken pieces instead of processed or pureed meat for better texture.
• Watch the sauce: Stir the sauce constantly while it cooks and keep it on low heat once done; it can burn if left unattended.
• Keep things warm: Toast waffles and keep the baked nuggets on a warm tray so sliders go together hot.
• Make the slaw quick: If you’re short on time, use bagged prepared slaw; it’s fine here and saves work.
• Adjust spice: Reduce cayenne for milder sliders or add a pinch more if you want extra kick.
• Sauce reheating: Sauce thickens as it cools — reheat gently and add a little water to loosen before using.
Serving Ideas
• Party platter: Arrange sliders on a large board with extra sauce, pickles, and napkins for guests.
• Brunch spread: Serve alongside scrambled eggs, fruit, and mimosas for a playful brunch.
• Game day snack: Pair with fries or onion rings and cold beer.
• Kid-friendly option: Make a few without cayenne for kids and some spicy ones for adults.
Storage & Freezing
• Refrigerator: Leftover assembled sliders will get soggy — instead, store components separately. Keep extra nuggets and waffles in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Store sauce in a sealed container for up to 3 days; reheat gently and stir in a little water if needed.
• Freezing: Fully assembled sliders do not freeze well. You can freeze leftover cooked nuggets for up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge and reheat in the oven to crisp before assembling.
Nutrition Info (Approximate per serving — 1 of 10 servings)
• Calories: 309
• Total Fat: 17 g
• Carbohydrates: 29 g
• Protein: 10 g
(Nutrition values are estimates based on the ingredient amounts and may change with different brands or substitutions.)
I love how these Chicken and Waffle Sliders are playful, easy to make, and always a crowd-pleaser. The sticky maple-spice sauce ties the sweet waffle and salty, crunchy chicken together, while slaw and pickles keep each bite bright. Make a tray for your next party — I promise they’ll disappear fast!
