Name: Chicken Donuts
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 boneless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces; 1 cup buttermilk; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon paprika; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon pepper; 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for heat); Vegetable oil, for frying; 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (for donuts); 1/4 cup sugar; 2 teaspoons baking powder; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional); 1/2 cup whole milk; 1/4 cup melted butter; 1 egg; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 cup powdered sugar (for glaze); 2 tablespoons maple syrup; 1 tablespoon milk (more as needed)

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If you love the crispy crunch of fried chicken and the soft sweetness of donuts, then this Chicken Donuts recipe is going to be your new favorite treat. Combining the best of both worlds, these chicken donuts are dipped in a rich maple glaze, making them a deliciously unexpected fusion of savory and sweet flavors.

Chicken Donuts

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

2 boneless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

1 cup buttermilk

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon paprika

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon pepper

½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for heat)

Vegetable oil, for frying

For the Donuts:

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

¼ cup sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

¼ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

½ cup whole milk

¼ cup melted butter

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Maple Glaze:

½ cup powdered sugar

2 tablespoons maple syrup

1 tablespoon milk (more as needed)

(Tip: You'll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

Prepare the Chicken:

In a bowl, I marinate the chicken pieces in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes, or overnight for best results.

In a separate bowl, I mix the flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper.

I heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or large pot to 350°F (175°C).

Dredge the chicken pieces in the flour mixture, ensuring they’re fully coated. Then, I fry the chicken in batches for about 5-7 minutes, until golden and crispy. After frying, I remove them from the oil and place them on a paper towel to drain.

Prepare the Donuts:

I preheat my oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a donut pan.

In a bowl, I whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon (if using).

In another bowl, I mix the milk, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract.

I pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. It’s important not to overmix!

I spoon the donut batter into the donut pan, filling each cavity about ¾ full.

I bake the donuts for 10-12 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. After baking, I let them cool for a few minutes before removing them from the pan.

Prepare the Maple Glaze:

In a small bowl, I whisk together the powdered sugar, maple syrup, and milk until smooth. If the glaze is too thick, I add more milk a teaspoon at a time until I reach the desired consistency.

Assemble the Chicken Donuts:

Once the donuts are cool, I dip the top of each donut into the maple glaze.

I place a piece of fried chicken on top of each glazed donut.

Finally, I serve immediately and enjoy!

Servings and Timing

Servings: 6 servings

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cooking Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 420 kcal per serving (depending on size)

Variations

I love to switch things up with this recipe! For a spicier kick, I add more cayenne pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce to the batter. For a different glaze, I’ve also tried swapping the maple syrup with honey or adding a little bit of bourbon to the glaze for an adult twist. You can even get creative by stuffing the donuts with cheese before baking for a cheesy surprise inside!

Storage/Reheating

If I have leftovers, I store the chicken donuts in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. To reheat, I recommend warming them in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes to keep them crispy. You can also microwave them for about 20-30 seconds, but they may lose some of their crispiness.

FAQs

How can I make these chicken donuts spicier?

To give your chicken donuts an extra kick, I recommend increasing the cayenne pepper in the chicken coating, or adding a bit of hot sauce to the maple glaze.

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes! You can easily substitute boneless, skinless chicken thighs for chicken breasts. They’ll have a slightly richer flavor and still work perfectly in this recipe.

Can I make the donuts ahead of time?

Yes, you can bake the donuts ahead of time, but I recommend glazing them just before serving to keep the donuts fresh and the glaze intact.

Can I freeze the chicken donuts?

I wouldn't recommend freezing the finished chicken donuts with the glaze on them, but you can freeze the fried chicken and the plain baked donuts separately. When you're ready to eat them, just reheat and add the glaze.

What’s the best way to serve these donuts?

Chicken donuts are fantastic on their own or served as part of a brunch spread. You can also pair them with a side of dipping sauces like ranch or sriracha mayo for extra flavor.

Conclusion

These Chicken Donuts are a fun and inventive way to enjoy the flavors of both fried chicken and donuts. With the crispy chicken, fluffy donut, and sweet maple glaze, this recipe brings together savory and sweet in the most delicious way. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or any time you’re craving something unique and indulgent!

Recipe:

Chicken Donuts

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Author: Cheryl
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 6 servings
Diet: Halal

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Description

These Chicken Donuts are a delicious fusion of crispy fried chicken and soft, sweet donuts, topped with a rich maple glaze for an unexpected savory-sweet treat.

Instructions

Marinate the chicken pieces in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes, or overnight for best results.
In a separate bowl, mix the flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper.
Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or large pot to 350°F (175°C).
Dredge the chicken pieces in the flour mixture, ensuring they are fully coated, then fry in batches for about 5-7 minutes until golden and crispy. Remove from oil and drain on paper towels.
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a donut pan.
In a bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon (if using).
In another bowl, mix the milk, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Do not overmix.
Spoon the donut batter into the pan, filling each cavity about ¾ full.
Bake the donuts for 10-12 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cool before removing from the pan.
In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, maple syrup, and milk until smooth. Add more milk to reach desired consistency if needed.
Once the donuts are cool, dip the top of each donut into the maple glaze.
Place a piece of fried chicken on top of each glazed donut.
Serve immediately and enjoy!