Yep, you heard that right! While not chicken and waffles, you will be impressed. First, let me just say I’m so beyond excited to share this with you! Second, I got this idea when I was at lunch with some friends and we got donuts for dessert. I noticed that chicken and donuts share the same oil when being fried. The flavors of the chicken and donuts complemented each other so well *chef’s kiss*. Therefore, chicken & donuts! Check out my other breakfast recipes here!
THE BREAKFAST EXPLAINED:
Perfectly seasoned, crispy chicken tenders fried to golden perfection. Sitting on top of a pile of fried donut holes that use the same oil as the chicken and cooked until golden brown on the outside, and fluffy in the middle. Then it’s finished off with a drizzle of warm, homemade spicy maple syrup.
FAQS:
what oil should i use to fry the chicken and donuts?
I prefer peanut oil because it has the least amount of flavor. but canola oil and vegetable oil work just as well, they just tend to leave more of an aftertaste.
how should i store the leftovers?
in my opinion, the chicken isn’t as good the next day but can definitely be kept for up to 2 days after being fried. the best way to store the donut holes would be to keep them in an airtight container
HOW TO MAKE CHICKEN & DONUTS:
prepare chicken:
if using chicken breasts, prepare them by pounding them out- lightly. if they’re too thick, they won’t cook evenly in the fryer. once the breasts are pounded out, cut them in halves. place chicken in a medium mixing bowl with buttermilk, 1 tsp pepper, and 1 tsp salt. let marinate in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours. in a medium bowl, mix together flour, 1 tsp pepper, 1 ½ tsp salt, 1 tsp paprika, ½ tsp cornstarch. then in a small bowl, beat together 1 egg and 1 tbsp milk.
fry the chicken:
in a dutch oven or a deep fryer, pour peanut or canola oil about ⅓ of the way. let the oil temperature get to 365F before adding the chicken. see FAQs above for more information on that.
transfer the chicken pieces- individually- from the buttermilk to the flour mixture coating both sides, then to the egg mixture coating both sides, BACK to the flour mixture coating both sides. then place each piece on a plate after coating. once all pieces are coated, transfer to the hot oil. let each piece fry for 5-10 minutes, checking the temperature of the chicken until it reaches at least 170F but no more than 190F and the outside is crispy and golden.
make the donuts:
in a medium mixing bowl, mix together the dry ingredients: flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder. pour melted butter and buttermilk into the dry ingredients and mix with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon until a ball of dough forms. place the ball of dough on a lightly floured surface, and lightly knead the dough. press down and lightly stretch upwards and then fold. repeat and then form it into a ½ inch thick rectangle or square.
cut about 24 even pieces, they should be equivalent to a tablespoon worth of dough. roll each one into a ball and place it on a plate until all dough is rolled into balls. drop 4-5 balls of dough into the fryer with the same grease and fry until the outside is golden brown, about 5 minutes. make sure to rotate them so both sides are evenly golden.
drizzle on the spicy syrup:
in a microwave-safe bowl, mix the agave nectar, maple syrup, salt, and cayenne pepper together. microwave for 15 seconds and serve poured on top or on the side for dipping!
grocery list:
- chicken (4 tenders or 2 breasts)
- buttermilk
- pepper
- egg
- milk
- flour
- salt
- paprika
- cornstarch
- sugar
- baking powder
- butter
spicy syrup:
- agave nectar
- maple syrup
- salt
- cayenne pepper
equipment list:
click here to purchase the equipment listed below
- deep fryer/dutch oven
- mixing bowls
- slotted spoon
Chicken & Donuts
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts or 4 tenders
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 2 tsp pepper
- 1 egg beaten
- 1 tbsp milk
- ¾ cup flour
- 2 ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp cornstarch
Donut Holes
- 1 cups flour
- 3 tbsp sugar
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ⅓ cup buttermilk
- 2 tbsp melted butter
Spicy Syrup
- 1 tbsp agave nectar
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Chicken:
- If using chicken breasts, prepare them by pounding them out- lightly. If they’re too thick, they won’t cook evenly in the fryer. Once pounded out, cut them in halves. Place chicken in a medium mixing bowl with buttermilk, 1 tsp pepper, and 1 tsp salt. Let marinate in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours.
- In a medium bowl, mix together flour, 1 tsp pepper, 1 ½ tsp salt, 1 tsp paprika, ½ tsp cornstarch. In a small bow, beat together 1 egg and 1 tbsp milk.
- In a dutch oven or a deep fryer, pour peanut or canola oil about ⅓ of the way full. Let the oil temperature get to 365 before adding the chicken. See FAQs above for more information on that.
- Transfer the chicken pieces- individually- from the buttermilk, to the flour mixture coating both sides, then to the egg mixture coating both sides, BACK to the flour mixture coating both sides. Then place each piece on a plate after coating. Once all pieces are coated, transfer to the hot oil. Let each piece fry for 5-10 minutes, checking the temperature of the chicken until it reaches 170F and the outside is crispy and golden.
- Donuts:
- In a medium mixing bowl, mix together the dry ingredients: flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder. Pour melted butter and buttermilk into the dry ingredients and mix with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon until a ball of dough forms. Place the ball of dough on a lightly floured surface, and lightly knead the dough. Press down and lightly stretch upwards and then fold. Repeat and then form it into a ½ inch thick rectangle or square.
- Cut about 24 even pieces, they should be equivalent to a tablespoon worth of dough. Roll each one into a ball and place on a plate until all dough is rolled into balls. Drop 4-5 balls of dough into the fryer with the same grease and fry until the outside is golden brown, about 5 minutes. Make sure to rotate them so both sides are evenly golden.
- Spicy syrup:
- In a microwave safe bowl, mix the agave nectar, maple syrup, salt, and cayenne pepper together. Microwave for 15 seconds and serve poured on top or on the side for dipping!
If you loved this recipe for Chicken & Donuts make sure to check out my Homemade Pancakes and my French Toast
