Chicken and waffles is a mouthwatering combination of crispy, juicy fried chicken served atop sweet, fluffy waffles. This Southern classic has become a beloved comfort food recipe across America.
Making chicken and waffles at home is easier than you think. With just a few simple ingredients and easy steps, you can create this tasty soul food dish for any meal.
In this article, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to make insanely good homemade chicken and waffles. From brining and frying the chicken to baking light and fluffy waffles get ready to impress your family and friends with this Southern staple.
Step 1: Brine the Chicken
The secret to ultra moist and flavorful fried chicken is soaking it in a buttermilk brine before breading and frying. The buttermilk helps break down the chicken’s fibers, making it incredibly tender. It also imparts a subtle tangy flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken tenderloins or boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Hot sauce (optional)
Instructions:
-
Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Place in a resealable plastic bag or container.
-
Take a small bowl and add the buttermilk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and hot sauce, if you want to use it.
-
Pour the buttermilk mixture over the chicken. Seal the bag or container and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to overnight.
-
Turn the bag occasionally to ensure the chicken marinates evenly. The longer it soaks, the more flavorful and tender it will be.
Step 2: Make the Coating
A crispy, seasoned breading is key for fried chicken with an incredible crunch. Using all-purpose flour as the base, you can spice it up with whatever flavors you like. Traditional Southern-style seasoning blends work perfectly.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
Instructions:
-
In a shallow dish or pie plate, whisk together the flour and all the spices until well combined.
-
Remove the chicken from the buttermilk brine, letting any excess drip off.
-
Dredge each piece of chicken in the seasoned flour, pressing to coat completely. Shake off any excess.
-
Place the coated chicken on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. Let sit for 5-10 minutes before frying. This helps the coating adhere better.
Step 3: Fry the Chicken
For crispy, golden fried chicken, you’ll need to fry it in a few inches of oil heated to the right temperature. Using a deep fry thermometer takes the guesswork out of determining when the oil is hot enough.
Ingredients:
- Vegetable or canola oil, for frying
- Coated chicken pieces
Instructions:
-
Pour 2-3 inches of oil into a heavy pot or Dutch oven. Heat to 350°F over medium-high heat.
-
Working in batches, carefully add 3-4 pieces of chicken to the hot oil. Fry for 4-6 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and cooked through.
-
Move the fried chicken to a wire rack or plate lined with paper towels using tongs. Let drain briefly before serving.
-
Bring the oil back up to 350°F between batches. Fry the remaining chicken.
Step 4: Make Fluffy Waffles
Homemade waffles are so easy and infinitely better than frozen ones. For chicken and waffles, buttermilk waffles are ideal. Their tangy flavor and fluffy texture complement the crispy fried chicken perfectly.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/4 cups buttermilk
- 2 large eggs, separated
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions:
-
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.
-
In a medium bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, egg yolks, melted butter and vanilla.
-
Stir the wet ingredients into the dry just until combined.
-
Beat the egg whites in a different bowl until they form stiff peaks. Gently fold into the batter.
-
Preheat a waffle iron according to manufacturer’s directions. Spray with nonstick spray.
-
Pour about 1/2 cup batter onto the hot waffle iron. Cook 3-5 minutes until golden brown. Repeat with remaining batter.
Step 5: Assemble and Serve
Once your chicken is perfectly fried and waffles baked, it’s time to bring this soul food favorite together. Serve it up with assorted condiments for the ultimate chicken and waffles experience.
Ingredients:
- Fried chicken
- Buttermilk waffles
- Softened butter
- Maple syrup
- Honey
- Hot sauce
- Fresh fruit like berries (optional)
Instructions:
-
Place 2 waffles per plate and top with 2-3 pieces of fried chicken.
-
Serve immediately with butter, maple syrup, honey, and hot sauce on the side so everyone can customize to taste.
-
Garnish with fresh fruit like strawberries or blueberries if desired.
-
Dig in and enjoy this iconic sweet and savory dish any time of day!
Tips for Perfect Chicken and Waffles
-
For evenly golden chicken, fry in batches and make sure oil returns to 350°F between batches.
-
Let chicken rest 5 minutes after frying so juices can redistribute before cutting.
-
Keep waffles warm in a 200°F oven on a wire rack until ready to serve.
-
Alternate between bone-in and boneless chicken pieces for more texture.
-
Play around with different seasoning blends like Cajun, jerk or barbecue spices.
-
Drizzle the chicken with honey or maple syrup for added sweetness.
-
Serve with collard greens, mac and cheese, baked beans or potato salad.
-
Refrigerate leftovers separately and reheat in oven at 350°F or toaster for waffles.
Chicken and waffles make an amazing meal any time of day. For breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner, this comforting Southern specialty is sure to satisfy. With its crispy, juicy chicken and sweet, pillowy waffles, you can’t go wrong.
Follow this easy homemade recipe and you’ll be able to whip up restaurant-worthy chicken and waffles in your own kitchen. Surprise your family on a lazy Sunday morning or impress guests at your next dinner party with this soulful classic.
For the fried chicken
- Spread the chicken out in a bowl or shallow dish. Add the buttermilk and Worcestershire sauce on top of the chicken. Cover the chicken with cling film and rub it with the buttermilk mixture. Put it in the fridge for at least two hours and up to four hours before cooking.
- Put the plain flour in a large, shallow dish before you start to cook. Add the oregano, thyme, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Mix all the dry ingredients thoroughly. Preheat the oven to 180C/160C Fan/Gas 4.
- Put the oil in a large pot or deep frying pan and set it over medium-high heat. Put a thermometer in the oil and heat it up to 180C (Be careful, hot oil can be dangerous). Do not leave unattended. ) Alternatively, heat the oil in a deep fat fryer.
- If there is too much buttermilk on a piece of chicken, give it a light shake with tongs. Drop it into the flour. Turn until it’s well covered, then use tongs to take it out and put it on a plate. Repeat with the rest of the chicken. Let the oil get to the right temperature, then carefully put the chicken pieces into it. Each side should take two to three minutes, or until the food is brown and crispy. Cook three or four pieces at a time. Making sure the oil gets back to the right temperature between batches will help your chicken stay light and crispy.
- With clean tongs (not the ones that were used for raw chicken), take the chicken out of the pan. Place on a baking sheet lined with kitchen paper to soak up any extra oil. Use a slotted spoon to get any extra batter out of the oil.
- Place the fried chicken on a baking sheet after moving it to a rack. Put it in the oven and bake for 15 minutes, or until it’s done.
- Spread the butter out in a small saucepan and melt it over low heat. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and heat the waffle maker to its second-highest setting. Grease it with a little oil.
- In a bowl, mix the flour, cornflour, baking powder, sugar, and a good pinch of salt. In the middle, make a well. Using a metal whisk, mix the egg, milk, and melted butter in a jug until the mixture is smooth. Whisk the flour into the milk and egg mixture little by little until it’s just combined. Put it in the jug and let it sit for 10 minutes.
- Just enough batter should be put into the waffle maker to cover each plate. Use a palette knife or spatula to quickly smooth the top. Put the lid back on and cook the waffles for four to five minutes, or until they are crisp, brown, and well risen. Use tongs to carefully take the waffles out of the waffle maker. Keep them warm while the rest of the waffles are cooking.
- When the chicken is done, drain it well on more kitchen paper. If you like, serve it hot with waffles, maple syrup, and a knob of butter.
Donât open the waffle maker too early or the waffles could tear. The amount of steam rising from the machine will drop to almost nothing once they are cooked. If you are only cooking for two or three people, cut the recipe in half, leaving out the oil, and fry the chicken for 15 to 18 minutes at a slightly lower temperature instead of baking it.
To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.
This video can not be played
Does it get any better than fried chicken? This is a classic American recipe, taken up a notch here with waffles and maple syrup. For this recipe you will need a waffle maker.
By The Hairy Bikers
The BEST Chicken and Waffles Recipe
FAQ
How were chicken and waffles made?
Chicken and waffles is a Pennsylvanian Dutch dish, a way of utilizing a chicken carcass the day after the Sunday roast, using the leftover chicken by making a gravy to pour over the waffles.
Are you supposed to put syrup on chicken and waffles?
Do You Put Syrup on Chicken and Waffles? YES! The idea of combining maple syrup with chicken might sound strange to some, but I assure you it is SO DELICIOUS. Traditionally, Chicken and Waffles is eaten with syrup on top (the more, the better).
Why do people put chicken and waffles together?
Flavor Contrast: The savory, salty flavor of fried chicken complements the sweet, fluffy texture of waffles. This contrast creates a balanced taste experience that many people find appealing.
How to elevate chicken and waffles?
16 Genius Pro Tips To Improve Fried Chicken And WafflesServe it with flavored or compound butter. Spice up the maple syrup. Mix things up and opt for honey. Infuse the oil for added flavor. Consider a longer brine time. Add herbs or spices into the waffle batter. Don’t forget about the sides.
How do you make waffles with chicken?
Place chicken into a 250 F. oven to keep it warm while you prepare the waffles. In a large bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, sugar salt. Put egg yolks, melted butter, oil, and vanilla extract in the middle of the bowl. Make a well in the middle of the bowl.
Can I make Chicken & Waffles with other chicken parts?
It also goes for ingredient quantities and cooking time. While you absolutely can make chicken and waffles using other chicken parts (bone-in pieces: breasts, thighs, legs, etc. )- please be advised that doing so is at your own discretion/experimentation. ⇢ To me, boneless fried chicken works so well for chicken and waffles.
What is Chicken & Waffles?
Chicken and waffles is a southern dish made with crispy chicken and sweet, tender waffles drenched in maple syrup. Chicken and Waffles is the perfect sweet and salty combo. Another important part of this simple meal that makes it great is the buttermilk, which goes on both the chicken and the waffles!
Can you put Fried Chicken on waffles?
Placing fried chicken on a fluffy waffles is the perfect combination of sweet and savory. It is often topped with a drizzle of maple syrup making it the perfect comfort food to enjoy for breakfast or brunch. Can I Make with Frozen Fried Chicken?
Can you make Chicken & Waffles with buttermilk?
Chicken and Waffles is the perfect sweet and salty combo. When it comes to making this easy meal, one key ingredient that takes it to another level is the buttermilk (both for the chicken and the waffles!) It’s the perfect meal to make after you’ve made a big batch of Buttermilk Waffles and have some extras for the next day.
How do you make a fried chicken waffle sandwich?
Drain bacon on a paper towel-lined plate. Place 4 waffles on a cookie sheet. Top each waffle with 2 chicken tenders, 3 bacon slices, and 2 cheese slices. Cook under the preheated broiler until cheese is melted, 3 to 5 minutes. Spread 3 tablespoons maple mayonnaise on each of the remaining 4 waffles and place on top of sandwich.