Never seen this combo before, but wowzers! It was a mega hit!

For the Fried Chicken:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 tsp hot sauce
• 1 cup flour
• 1 tsp paprika
• ½ tsp cayenne
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• Salt & pepper
• Oil for frying

For the Spicy Honey Glaze:

• ¼ cup honey
• 1 tbsp sriracha (adjust to taste)
• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
• Pinch of chili flakes (optional)

Step-by-Step Method

🧀 Step 1: Make the Mac & Cheese

1. Boil the elbow macaroni until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in milk, cheddar, parmesan, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Add cooked pasta and mix well until creamy and thick. Let cool slightly.
4. Once cooled, mix in the beaten egg to help it bind.
5. Scoop the mac and cheese into a muffin tin or form into round, burger-sized patties. Freeze for 30 minutes to firm up.

🍗 Step 2: Marinate the Chicken

1. In a bowl, mix buttermilk and hot sauce.
2. Add chicken thighs and coat well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or overnight for deeper flavor).

🧇 Step 3: Coat the Mac & Cheese Patties

1. In one bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs and crushed waffle cones or mini waffle crumbs.
2. Remove the chilled mac and cheese patties. Coat them lightly in flour, then dip in egg wash, and finally coat thoroughly in the waffle crumb mix.
3. Set aside on parchment paper.

🍳 Step 4: Fry Time!

For the Chicken:

1. Heat oil in a deep skillet or fryer to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a shallow bowl, mix flour, paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Remove chicken from marinade, dredge in flour mixture, and fry until golden brown and crispy (about 5–6 minutes per side). Drain on paper towels.

For the Patties:

1. In the same or a clean skillet, fry the waffle-crusted mac and cheese patties until golden and crispy on each side (about 3–4 minutes per side).

🍯 Step 5: Make the Spicy Honey Glaze

1. In a small saucepan over low heat, combine honey, sriracha, vinegar, and chili flakes.
2. Stir until warm and slightly runny.

🍽️ Step 6: Assemble the Dish

1. Place one crispy waffle-mac & cheese patty on a plate.
2. Top it with a piece of fried chicken.
3. Drizzle generously with spicy honey glaze.
4. Optional: Garnish with fresh chives or a dash of hot sauce.

🌟 The Flavor Explosion

The result? Crunchy. Creamy. Sweet. Spicy. Savory. The waffle crumbs add a hint of sweetness and texture to the creamy mac, the chicken is juicy and bold, and that honey glaze pulls everything together like a flavor maestro conducting a symphony.

👩‍🍳 Final Thoughts

This is one of those recipes that makes people stop mid-bite and say, “What IS this?!” It’s bold, it’s unique, and it works so well it’ll leave everyone craving seconds. Whether you’re a foodie or just curious to try something daring, this combo will knock your socks off.

Never seen this combo before? Try it. Because wowzers – it’s a mega hit! 🎉🔥🧇🍗

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