The Irresistible Chicken and Waffles Recipe Everyone Craves

Southern kitchens buzz with excitement around chicken and waffles, a delightful culinary creation that blends crispy textures with sweet and savory notes.

Generations of cooks have perfected this soul-satisfying dish, making it a beloved comfort food.

Crisp golden chicken rests atop fluffy waffles, creating a symphony of flavors that dance across your palate.

Regional variations add unique twists to this classic combination, each telling a story of cultural heritage.

Maple syrup drizzled over perfectly seasoned chicken creates an irresistible harmony that tempts even the most discerning food enthusiasts.

Home cooks can easily master this incredible recipe with a few simple techniques and a passion for delicious cooking.

Let this mouthwatering dish become your new weekend brunch showstopper that will have everyone asking for seconds.

FAQs

• How long should I marinate the chicken in buttermilk?

The buttermilk marinade helps tenderize the chicken and adds flavor, so aim for 1-2 hours in the refrigerator for the best results.

• What type of oil is best for frying the chicken?

Vegetable oil or peanut oil works great for frying, as they have high smoke points and provide a crispy exterior for the chicken.

• Can I make the chicken and waffles ahead of time?

While it’s best served fresh, you can keep the fried chicken warm in a low-temperature oven (200°F) for about 30 minutes before serving to maintain its crispiness.

• How do I know the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F to ensure it’s safe to eat and properly cooked through.

Chicken And Waffles Marry Crispy, Sweet, And Savory Flavors

Savor Southern Comfort: A Soul-Satisfying Dish

• Quick Weekend Delight: This chicken and waffles recipe transforms a classic Southern comfort food into an easy-to-make meal that can be prepared in under an hour, perfect for lazy weekend brunches or spontaneous gatherings.
• Foolproof Flavor Explosion: Marinating chicken in buttermilk guarantees tender, juicy meat while the seasoned flour coating creates a crispy, golden exterior that delivers maximum taste with minimal cooking skills required.
• Family Crowd-Pleaser: The combination of crispy fried chicken and fluffy waffles drizzled with sweet maple syrup appeals to all ages, making it an ideal dish for family meals, casual entertaining, or satisfying late-night cravings.
• Customizable Culinary Canvas: Home cooks can easily adjust spice levels in the flour mixture or experiment with different syrup types, allowing personal creativity while maintaining the recipe's delicious core essence.

Chicken And Waffles Cooking Set

• Chicken Breasts: Tender and lean protein that forms the main dish, best when fresh and boneless.
• Eggs: Binding agent for coating and adding richness to the chicken batter.

• Flour, Garlic Powder, Paprika, Salt, Pepper: Classic blend for creating a flavorful and crispy chicken coating, enhancing overall taste and texture.

• Waffle Mix, Milk, Melted Butter, Buttermilk: Essential components for creating fluffy and golden waffles, providing moisture and tender texture.

• Cooking Oil: Perfect for deep frying the chicken to achieve a crispy golden exterior.
• Maple Syrup: Optional sweet finishing touch that complements the savory chicken and adds traditional southern flavor.

How To Make Chicken And Waffles

Step 1: Bathe Chicken in Tangy Buttermilk

Submerge chicken pieces completely in buttermilk, ensuring every nook is covered.

Let the chicken luxuriate in this creamy bath for 1-2 hours, allowing the buttermilk to tenderize and infuse flavor into the meat.

Step 2: Create Crispy Coating Mixture

• All-purpose flour
• Garlic powder
• Paprika
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper

Whisk these ingredients until they form a uniform, seasoned powder that will create a crunchy exterior.

Step 3: Dredge and Prepare Chicken

Remove chicken from buttermilk, letting excess liquid drip off.

Roll each piece thoroughly in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing gently to ensure a thick, even coating that will crisp beautifully when fried.

Step 4: Fry to Golden Perfection

Heat oil in a deep skillet or Dutch oven until it reaches 350°F.

Carefully lower coated chicken pieces into hot oil, cooking until they turn a deep golden brown and reach an internal temperature of 165°F.

This typically takes about 12-15 minutes, depending on the size of chicken pieces.

Step 5: Whip Up Fluffy Waffles

• Waffle mix
• Eggs
• Whole milk
• Melted butter

Stir until the batter is smooth with minimal lumps.

Step 6: Cook Crisp Waffles

Preheat waffle maker and pour batter, cooking until waffles are golden and crisp with beautiful grid patterns.

This usually takes 3-4 minutes per waffle.

Step 7: Assemble and Drizzle

Place crispy fried chicken atop freshly made waffles.

Generously cascade pure maple syrup over the entire dish, allowing it to pool around the edges for maximum flavor enjoyment.

Tips For Making Chicken And Waffles Crispy And Fluffy

• Let the chicken soak in buttermilk for at least 2 hours to tenderize the meat and enhance its juiciness and taste.
• Create a well-balanced spice mix by adjusting garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper to suit your personal preference.
• Ensure oil is hot enough (around 350°F) before frying to achieve a golden, crunchy exterior without absorbing excess oil.
• Avoid overmixing waffle batter to maintain a light, fluffy texture that complements the crispy chicken.
• Plate the chicken and waffles right after cooking to preserve their optimal crispiness and temperature.

Chicken and Waffles: How to Save and Warm It Up

• Store leftover chicken and waffles separately in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. Consume within 3-4 days for best quality.
• Warm chicken in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes to maintain crispiness. Avoid microwave to prevent soggy texture.
• Toast waffles in a toaster or toaster oven for 2-3 minutes until crisp and heated through. Add fresh maple syrup after reheating.
• Wrap chicken and waffles individually in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. Freeze up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.

Classic Matches for Chicken & Waffles

• Complement the rich, crispy chicken with a smooth bourbon whiskey cocktail that balances the sweet and savory flavors of the dish.
• Add a refreshing, crisp coleslaw with a vinegar-based dressing to cut through the richness of the fried chicken and provide a zesty contrast.
• Choose a slightly sweet, chilled Riesling with bright acidity that matches the maple syrup's sweetness and helps cleanse the palate between bites of crispy chicken.
• Select a smooth, cold brew coffee with subtle chocolate notes to enhance the deep, complex flavors of the chicken and waffles while providing a refreshing accompaniment.

Chicken and Waffles with Sweet and Savory Pairings

• Gluten-Free Comfort: Replace wheat flour with gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and use gluten-free waffle mix for celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals.
• Spicy Southern Style: Add cayenne pepper and hot sauce to flour mixture for extra kick, then drizzle with hot honey instead of maple syrup for a fiery flavor profile.
• Keto-Friendly Version: Substitute wheat flour with almond flour, use pork rinds for coating chicken, and create waffles using coconut flour, eggs, cream cheese, and zero-carb sweetener.
• Healthier Baked Option: Skip deep-frying by baking seasoned chicken in oven at 400°F, use whole wheat waffle mix, and opt for Greek yogurt-based maple drizzle to reduce overall calorie content.

Chicken And Waffles Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Southern comfort meets culinary artistry in this irresistible Chicken and Waffles dish that blends crispy golden chicken with fluffy homemade waffles. Crisp textures and rich flavors invite you to savor a classic Southern breakfast that delights with every delectable bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

main protein:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 eggs

dry ingredients:

• 1 cup flour
• 2 cups waffle mix
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste

liquid and additional ingredients:

• 2 cups buttermilk
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• Cooking oil for frying
• Maple syrup (optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Submerge chicken pieces in tangy buttermilk bath, allowing flavors to penetrate and tenderize the meat for a minimum of 60-120 minutes in a sealed container.
2. Create a zesty seasoning blend by combining flour with aromatic garlic powder, smoky paprika, mineral salt, and freshly cracked black pepper in a wide, shallow dish.
3. Remove chicken from buttermilk marinade, allowing excess liquid to drip off, then thoroughly coat each piece in the seasoned flour mixture, ensuring complete and even coverage.
4. Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or heavy-bottomed pan until temperature reaches approximately 350 degrees fahrenheit, creating an ideal frying environment.
5. Carefully lower flour-coated chicken into hot oil, maintaining consistent temperature and turning occasionally to achieve uniform golden-brown exterior and fully cooked interior.
6. While chicken fries, prepare waffle batter by whisking together dry waffle mix, farm-fresh eggs, creamy milk, and melted butter until smooth and lump-free.
7. Preheat waffle iron and pour prepared batter, cooking until edges turn crisp and golden with characteristic honeycomb texture.
8. Plate golden waffles as a base, strategically arranging crispy fried chicken on top, then generously drizzle pure maple syrup across the dish for a harmonious sweet-savory experience.

Notes

• Buttermilk works magic for tenderizing chicken, creating incredibly juicy meat with a delicate texture that melts in your mouth.
• Letting chicken marinate longer (up to 4 hours) intensifies flavor and ensures maximum tenderness for a restaurant-quality result.
• Add cayenne or hot sauce to the seasoned flour for spicy lovers who want an extra kick of heat in their chicken coating.
• For gluten-free variations, substitute regular flour with almond flour or gluten-free blend to accommodate dietary restrictions without compromising crispy texture.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 490
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 54 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg