Description
Crispy Southern fried chicken and fluffy golden waffles come together in this sweet-and-savory comfort food classic. Perfect for weekend brunch, family dinners, or anytime you’re craving a cozy dish that feels indulgent yet homemade.
Ingredients
For the Fried Chicken:
6–8 bone-in chicken thighs or drumsticks
2cups buttermilk
2–3 tablespoons hot sauce
2 cups all-purpose flour
½ cup cornstarch
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Vegetable oil, for frying
For the Waffles:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1 ¾ cups milk
½ cup butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For Serving:
Warm maple syrup
Honey butter or hot honey (optional)
Instructions
Marinate the Chicken: Combine buttermilk and hot sauce in a bowl or bag, add chicken, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or overnight).
Mix the Waffle Batter: Whisk dry ingredients together. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, milk, butter, and vanilla. Combine gently—don’t overmix.
Fry the Chicken: Heat oil to 350°F in a skillet or Dutch oven. Mix flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Dredge marinated chicken in the flour mixture. Fry in batches, 12–15 minutes, until golden and fully cooked. Drain on a wire rack.
Cook the Waffles: Preheat waffle iron, pour in batter, and cook until golden brown and crisp.
Serve: Stack waffles, top with chicken, and drizzle generously with maple syrup. Add honey butter or hot honey if desired.
Notes
Marinate the chicken overnight for the juiciest results.
Keep fried chicken warm in a low oven (200°F) while finishing waffles.
Leftovers: Reheat chicken in the oven to keep it crispy; toast leftover waffles for best textur
- Prep Time: 20 minutes + marinating
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: appetizer, brunch
- Method: Frying & Waffle Iron
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken piece
- Calories: 780kcl
- Sugar: 11 g
- Sodium: 870 mg
- Fat: 41 g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1 g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 68 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 155 mg
Keywords: southern fried chicken and waffles, comfort food brunch, chicken and waffles recipe