Description
Chicken and Waffles are the ultimate comfort food combination, bringing together crispy, golden fried chicken and fluffy, buttery waffles. Drizzled with maple syrup or hot honey, this Southern classic hits every note of savory and sweet, making it a perfect dish for brunch, dinner, or a special treat anytime.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Fried Chicken:
- 1 pound chicken tenders or drumsticks
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 teaspoons hot sauce (optional)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Vegetable oil for frying
For the Waffles:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For Serving:
- Maple syrup or hot honey
- Optional: whipped butter or powdered sugar
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken:
- In a large bowl, mix buttermilk and hot sauce. Add the chicken pieces, ensuring they are fully submerged. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or overnight for the best flavor).
- Bread the Chicken:
- In a shallow dish, combine flour, cornstarch, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. Remove chicken from the marinade, letting excess drip off, and dredge in the flour mixture. Press to coat well. Let rest for 10 minutes.
- Fry the Chicken:
- Heat oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven to 350°F (175°C). Fry chicken in batches, 6–8 minutes for tenders or 10–12 minutes for bone-in pieces, until golden and cooked through. Drain on a wire rack over paper towels.
- Make the Waffle Batter:
- In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. In another bowl, mix milk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla. Combine wet and dry ingredients, stirring until just combined.
- Cook the Waffles:
- Preheat your waffle iron and lightly grease it. Pour batter into the waffle maker and cook according to manufacturer instructions, usually 4–5 minutes per waffle, until golden and crisp.
- Assemble and Serve:
- Place a waffle on a plate, top with fried chicken, and drizzle generously with maple syrup or hot honey. Serve immediately.
Notes
- For extra crunch, add 2 tablespoons of cornmeal to the waffle batter.
- To spice things up, sprinkle a pinch of cayenne into the syrup or use hot honey.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat waffles in a toaster and chicken in an oven to maintain crispiness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus marinating time)
- Cook Time: 30 minutes