Description
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Southern Fried Chicken and Waffles recipe. Crispy, juicy fried chicken pairs perfectly with fluffy waffles for a delightful meal that combines savory and sweet flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
For the fried chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts (pounded to even thickness if needed)
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- vegetable oil for frying
For the waffles:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 3/4 cups milk
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil or melted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For serving:
- Butter
- Warm maple syrup
- Hot sauce or honey (optional)
Instructions
- Marinate the chicken: In a bowl or zip-top bag, combine the chicken with buttermilk and hot sauce. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight.
- Make the waffle batter: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, oil (or melted butter), and vanilla extract. Pour wet ingredients into dry and stir just until combined. Let the batter rest while you fry the chicken.
- Fry the chicken: Heat about 1/2 inch of oil in a deep skillet or cast iron pan over medium-high heat to 350°F. In a shallow dish, combine flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and cayenne. Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off. Dredge each piece in the seasoned flour, pressing to coat well. Fry for 4–5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a wire rack to drain.
- Cook the waffles: Preheat your waffle iron according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Pour in the batter and cook until golden and crisp, about 3–5 minutes per waffle depending on your machine.
- Assemble and serve: Place one waffle on each plate, top with a piece of hot fried chicken, and add a pat of butter. Drizzle generously with warm maple syrup and a dash of hot sauce or honey if desired.
Notes
- Chicken thighs are juicier, but breasts work well too.
- For extra crispy chicken, double dip in buttermilk and flour before frying.
- Waffles can be made ahead and crisped in the oven before serving.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes (plus marinating)
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying, Waffle Iron
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken & waffle
- Calories: 720
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 25g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 145mg
