Let’s be real – fried chicken and waffles are the perfect brunch combo. But what if I told you that we could take this classic and kick it up a notch with a Thai-inspired twist? Yes, you read that right – Crispy Thai Fried Chicken and Waffles is here to steal your taste buds away. Sweet, savory, crispy, and just the right amount of heat, this dish is the brunch of your dreams, and it takes less than 30 minutes to make. Seriously, no need to spend your entire Saturday laboring in the kitchen (unless you're into that White Wine Braised Short Ribs kind of thing… but that’s for another lazy weekend).
You may also want t try this sous vide fried chicken for an ultra easy way to make fried chicken!
Why This Recipe Works
You might be wondering, “Why combine Thai flavors with something as American as fried chicken and waffles?” Well, here's the deal – the marriage of crispy fried chicken with that crispy-soft waffle base just screams for a little something extra. Enter the sweet and spicy Thai sweet chili peanut sauce. It’s rich, it’s tangy, it’s just the right amount of kick – the kind of sauce that makes you want to dunk everything in it. Seriously. Drizzling it over the fried chicken and waffles? Genius move.
If you love Asian cuisine (like I do) and crave that perfect balance of savory, spicy, and a touch of sweetness, this recipe will be your new brunch obsession.
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What’s My Take on Crispy Thai Fried Chicken and Waffles?
As much as I love a traditional southern fried chicken and waffles, there’s just something about the deep, umami flavors of fish sauce, coconut sugar, and coconut milk that elevates this dish to another level. The fried chicken has that perfect crunch (thanks to the rice flour coating) and a tender, juicy interior that’s packed with Thai-inspired flavors. The waffles? Soft and fluffy, yet hearty enough to hold their own against that crispy chicken. And the peanut sauce? It’s the star of the show, no doubt about it.
If you’re looking for a fun way to mix up your brunch routine, this dish is where it’s at.
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Make it a Meal
While this crispy Thai fried chicken and waffles combo is a star on its own, you could serve it with a side salad for a more balanced meal or some crispy roasted veggies. Pair it with a refreshing zuccsalad or some lightly pickled veggies to add a cool crunch that balances the heat of the chili sauce. You could also try a side of sweet potato fries if you're feeling extra indulgent (and who wouldn't be?).
Easy Side Dishes to Serve with Thai Fried Chicken and Waffles
While this dish is a full-on flavor bomb on its own, you can totally round out your meal with one or two of these easy (and delicious!) sides. Whether you’re going for something light and fresh or rich and savory, these pair beautifully with that crispy chicken and spicy-sweet sauce:
- 🥒 Raw Zucchini Salad Recipe – Cool, crisp, and a little tangy, this raw zucchini salad is the refreshing bite you need to balance out the richness of the chicken and waffles.
- 🧀 Asparagus and Gruyere Soufflé – Feeling a little fancy? This cheesy, fluffy soufflé adds a touch of elegance and pairs surprisingly well with bold Thai flavors.
- 🍠 Air Fryer Spicy Sweet Potatoes – Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and just the right amount of spice. These are the perfect sweet-and-savory sidekick.
- 🥓 Pan Fried Brussels Sprouts with Bacon – Because bacon makes everything better. These Brussels sprouts are crispy, smoky, and totally addictive.
Pick one or mix and match — either way, you’re in for a seriously epic meal.
The Ingredients
The full list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
If you're not familiar with Thai ingredients, pop on over and read more about them in this post on the essential ingredients you need to get your pantry stocked.
None of these ingredients are hard to find, you can get most of them at your local grocery store. However, if you're feeling a little overwhelmed (or lazy like me) by the thought of walking up and down the aisles searching for the ingredients, you can just buy them on Amazon through the below links:
- Rice flour
- Ginger paste
- Fish sauce
- Soy sauce
- Coconut sugar
- Coconut milk
- Roasted peanuts
- Peanut butter
- Chili garlic sauce
- Honey
If you've been cooking with me for a while, you probably already have all these ingredients.
Step By Step Instructions
I recommend marinating the chicken overnight for the best results. It gives the chicken time to soak up all those super deliciously amazing flavors.
Unless you hate flavor that is. I suppose then you can skip this part.
Prepare the Chicken
Step1: Start by placing all the marinade ingredients in a bowl, add the chicken and refrigerate overnight.
Step2: Once the chicken has had time to soak up all those flavors, heat the oil in a cast iron skillet or dutch oven over medium heat until water sizzles when dropped in. Combine the rice flour, salt and pepper in a bowl.
Step3: Dredge each chicken thigh in the rice flour mixture and add to the skillet. Fry about 5-7 minutes per side, until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. Honestly, I never use a thermometer. Typically once it's golden brown it's done. But if you want to be 100% sure, use a thermometer.
Step4: Remove the chicken from the pan and drain on paper towels. Serve the Thai fried chicken thighs with 1-2 waffles and drizzle with the Thai sweet chili peanut sauce. Garnish with crushed peanut and cilantro for an extra special look.
Lets Make Sweet Chili Peanut Sauce:
You're going to want to make the sweet chili peanut sauce first. Combine ingredients in a food processor, blend until smooth.
Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until fully combined.
Next step. Make waffles.
Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Heat the waffle iron and add ½ cup of batter. Cook all the batter, one batch at a time. Set the waffles aside until the chicken is done. If necessary, keep them in a 200 degree oven so they stay warm.
The Thai peanut sauce and savory waffles bring this juicy fried Thai chicken dish home. Your brunch guests will be totally impressed!
Don't forget to check out these other delicious breakfast/brunch ideas:
Thai Green Curry Shrimp and Grits
The Best Homemade Avocado Toast
Sweet and Savory Cornmeal Pancakes
Cheesy Cajun Andouille Sausage Grits
Classic Lyonnaise Potatoes
Cajun style Quiche with Andouille Sausage
Orange Buttermilk Ricotta Pancakes
Asparagus and Gruyere Souffle
Expert Tips:
- Use bone-in chicken for even more flavor! You can always debone it after frying if you prefer.
- If you don’t have a waffle iron, you can use store-bought waffles or even make them in a pan, but honestly, the homemade waffles take this dish to the next level.
- For extra crunch, you can double-dip the chicken in the rice flour before frying. This will create an ultra-crispy coating.
- Want to kick the spice up a notch? Add more chili garlic sauce to the waffles or the peanut sauce!
Common Questions
You can marinate the chicken overnight, but I recommend frying the chicken and making the waffles fresh for the best texture.
Absolutely! Use gluten-free flour for the waffles and ensure your chili garlic sauce is GF. The rice flour for the chicken is already gluten-free.
If you somehow have any leftovers (I’m not sure how that happens, but okay), store the chicken and waffles separately in airtight containers. Reheat the chicken in the oven or skillet for the crispiest results, and enjoy your Thai fried chicken and waffles the next day!
This crispy Thai fried chicken and waffles is the kind of dish that’ll make you wonder why you didn’t combine these two flavors sooner. The sweet chili peanut sauce adds the perfect finishing touch to this crunchy, flavorful plate of pure bliss. Give it a try and tell me you’re not obsessed – I dare you!
Did you make this fried chicken and waffles recipe? Leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out!
Recipe
Thai Fried Chicken and Waffles
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken thighs boneless and skinless
- 1 cup rice flour
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. black pepper
- ½ to 1 cup oil for frying
Marinade:
- 1 tsp. fresh ginger
- 1 tbsp. fish sauce
- 1 tbsp. soy sauce
- 2 tbsp. coconut sugar
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 2 tbsp. coconut milk
Waffles:
- 1 cups flour
- 2 tsp. baking powder
- 2 tsp. salt
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups coconut milk
- 2 tbsp. melted butter
- 2 tbsp. chili garlic sauce
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
- ¼ cup chopped peanuts
Sweet Chili Peanut Sauce:
- ½ cup coconut milk
- 1 tbsp. peanut butter
- 1 ½ tbsp. chili garlic sauce
- 1 tbsp. lime juice
- 2 tsp. fish sauce
- 1 tbsp. honey
Instructions
Chicken:
- Place all marinade ingredients in a bowl and add chicken. Refrigerate overnight.
- Heat the oil in a cast iron skillet or dutch oven over medium heat until water sizzles when dropped in. Combine the rice flour, salt and pepper in a bowl.
- Dredge each chicken thigh in the rice flour mixture and add to the skillet. Fry about 5-7 minutes per side, until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
- Remove from pan and drain on paper towels. Serve the chicken with 1-2 waffles and drizzle with the Thai sweet chili peanut sauce. Garnish with crushed peanut and cilantro.
Waffles:
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Heat the waffle iron and add ½ cup of batter. Cook all batter one batch at a time. Set waffles aside until chicken is done.
Sweet Chili Peanut Sauce:
- Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until fully combined.
Nutrition
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