Chicken And Waffles Recipe

Chicken and Waffles is a dish that perfectly balances savory, crispy fried chicken with sweet, fluffy waffles, creating an irresistible combination of flavors and textures. It’s a Southern classic that has become a brunch and dinner favorite across the country, loved for its blend of crispy, juicy chicken and light, buttery waffles, all drizzled with maple syrup. This recipe will walk you through making both the crispy fried chicken and the golden waffles from scratch, so you can enjoy this ultimate comfort food at home.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

• Perfect combination: Juicy, crispy fried chicken paired with sweet, fluffy waffles is a match made in heaven.
• Versatile: Enjoy this dish for breakfast, brunch, or dinner. It works any time of the day!
• Customizable: Add your favorite spices to the chicken or toppings for the waffles.

Let’s dive into this delicious Chicken and Waffles recipe that’s perfect for brunch, family dinners, or when you want to indulge in a sweet and savory treat.

What Is Chicken and Waffles?

Chicken and Waffles is a beloved dish that pairs two comfort food staples: fried chicken and waffles. It’s a Southern dish at heart, with roots in both African American soul food and Southern cuisine, but it has become popular nationwide. The crispy fried chicken, seasoned to perfection, contrasts with the soft and fluffy waffles, and the whole dish is typically served with butter, syrup, or even hot sauce, making it a delightful blend of sweet, salty, and savory flavors.

Ingredients List for Chicken and Waffles

Here’s what you’ll need to make this classic recipe:

For the Fried Chicken:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs: Thighs offer extra juiciness, while breasts stay leaner.
• 2 cups buttermilk: For marinating the chicken (adds tenderness and flavor).
• 1 tablespoon hot sauce (optional): Adds a mild heat to the marinade.
• 2 cups all-purpose flour: For dredging the chicken.
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder: For seasoning the flour.
• 1 teaspoon onion powder: Adds depth of flavor.
• 1 teaspoon paprika: For flavor and color.
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional): For added heat.
• Salt and pepper to taste: Essential for seasoning.
• Vegetable oil: For frying the chicken (canola oil works well too).

For the Waffles:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour: The base for the waffles.
• 1 tablespoon sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness.
• 2 teaspoons baking powder: Helps the waffles rise.
• ½ teaspoon baking soda: For extra fluffiness.
• ¼ teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness.
• 2 large eggs: For structure and richness.
• 1¾ cups buttermilk: Makes the waffles tender and flavorful.
• ¼ cup melted butter: For a buttery flavor in the waffles.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Adds a hint of sweetness.

Optional Toppings:

• Maple syrup: For drizzling over the chicken and waffles.
• Butter: To melt over the waffles.
• Hot sauce: For a spicy kick.
• Honey: For an extra layer of sweetness.
• Powdered sugar: For a sweet, decorative touch.

Substitutions and Variations

This recipe is flexible, and you can customize it to suit your preferences:

• Chicken options: Use bone-in chicken if you prefer a more classic fried chicken experience, or swap for chicken tenders for quicker cooking.
• Waffle variations: Add mix-ins like chocolate chips, blueberries, or pecans to the waffle batter for extra flavor.
• Healthier option: For a lighter version, you can bake the chicken instead of frying it or use an air fryer.
• Gluten-free: Use a gluten-free flour blend for both the chicken coating and waffles to make this recipe gluten-free.

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Making Chicken and Waffles requires two main steps: frying the chicken and making the waffles. Here’s how to make each part from scratch:

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

1. Marinate the chicken: In a large bowl or zip-top bag, combine the chicken breasts or thighs with the buttermilk and optional hot sauce. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or up to 8 hours) to tenderize and flavor the chicken.

Step 2: Prepare the Waffle Batter

1. Whisk the dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
2. Mix the wet ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth.
3. Combine: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix—some lumps are okay. Set the batter aside while you fry the chicken.

Step 3: Dredge and Fry the Chicken

1. Heat the oil: In a large skillet or deep frying pan, heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C).
2. Prepare the dredging station: In a shallow dish, mix the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne (if using), salt, and pepper.
3. Dredge the chicken: Remove the chicken from the buttermilk marinade and let the excess drip off. Dredge each piece in the seasoned flour, pressing gently to adhere the flour to the chicken.
4. Fry the chicken: Carefully place the dredged chicken in the hot oil and fry for 5-7 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy, and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Work in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding the pan.
5. Drain: Transfer the fried chicken to a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.

Step 4: Cook the Waffles

1. Preheat the waffle iron: While the chicken is frying, preheat your waffle iron according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Cook the waffles: Once the waffle iron is hot, lightly grease it with cooking spray or melted butter. Pour the waffle batter into the waffle iron (using about ½ cup per waffle) and cook according to your waffle iron's instructions until golden and crispy on the outside. Repeat with the remaining batter.

Step 5: Serve

1. Assemble: To serve, place a hot waffle on each plate, top it with a piece of crispy fried chicken, and drizzle generously with maple syrup. Add a pat of butter on top of the waffles if desired.
2. Optional toppings: Sprinkle powdered sugar over the waffles for extra sweetness, or add hot sauce to the chicken if you like a spicy kick.

How to Cook Chicken and Waffles: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Marinate the chicken: Soak the chicken in buttermilk for at least 1 hour for tenderness and flavor.
2. Prepare the waffle batter: Mix the dry and wet ingredients separately, then combine until smooth.
3. Fry the chicken: Dredge the chicken in seasoned flour, then fry until crispy and golden brown.
4. Cook the waffles: Preheat the waffle iron and cook the waffles until golden and crisp.
5. Assemble and serve: Serve a waffle topped with crispy fried chicken, and drizzle with maple syrup or your favorite toppings.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are some tips to ensure your Chicken and Waffles turn out perfectly:

• Overcooking the chicken: Be careful not to overcook the chicken, as it can become dry. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F but not much higher.
• Underseasoning the chicken: Season the flour generously to ensure the chicken has plenty of flavor.
• Overmixing the waffle batter: Mix the waffle batter just until combined. Overmixing can make the waffles dense instead of light and fluffy.
• Cold oil for frying: Make sure your oil is hot enough (350°F) before adding the chicken, or it won’t get crispy and will absorb too much oil.

Serving and Presentation Tips

Chicken and Waffles is a delicious comfort food that can be served in various ways. Here are some serving ideas:

• Serve with toppings: Offer maple syrup, hot sauce, honey, and powdered sugar on the side so guests can customize their dish.
• Make it a brunch spread: Pair with sides like scrambled eggs, grits, or fruit salad to turn it into a full brunch menu.
• Garnish with fresh herbs: For an elevated touch, garnish the chicken with fresh thyme or parsley.

How to Serve Chicken and Waffles

To serve, place a waffle on each plate, top it with a piece of crispy fried chicken, and drizzle generously with maple syrup. Add a pat of butter on top of the waffles and sprinkle powdered sugar for a sweet touch. If you prefer a savory kick, offer hot sauce or honey for guests to drizzle over their chicken.

Presentation Ideas for Chicken and Waffles

For a beautiful presentation, serve the waffles stacked with chicken on top and a drizzle of syrup cascading down. You can also sprinkle the dish with fresh herbs or powdered sugar for a final touch. A small ramekin of syrup or honey on the side makes for a nice addition.

Chicken and Waffles Recipe Tips

• Make the waffles ahead: You can make the waffles ahead of time and reheat them in the oven at 200°F to keep them warm while you fry the chicken.
• Use a thermometer: When frying chicken, use a food thermometer to ensure the oil is at the right temperature (350°F) and the chicken is cooked through (165°F internal temperature).
• Try an air fryer: For a lighter version, try air frying the chicken instead of deep frying. Coat the chicken in the same way and cook in the air fryer at 375°F for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I use store-bought waffles?

Yes! If you’re short on time, you can use frozen or store-bought waffles and just focus on frying the chicken. However, homemade waffles will give you the best texture and flavor.

How do I store leftovers?

Store any leftover chicken and waffles separately in airtight containers. Reheat the chicken in the oven or air fryer to maintain its crispiness, and reheat the waffles in the toaster or oven.

Can I bake the chicken instead of frying?

Yes! To bake the chicken, place it on a greased baking sheet and bake at 400°F for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through. For extra crispiness, spray the chicken with cooking spray before baking.

What sides go well with Chicken and Waffles?

Some great sides include scrambled eggs, collard greens, mac and cheese, or a fresh fruit salad. Grits or roasted potatoes are also excellent accompaniments.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute gluten-free flour for both the chicken dredge and the waffle batter to make this recipe gluten-free.

Conclusion

Chicken and Waffles is a delicious combination of sweet and savory that brings together crispy fried chicken and fluffy, buttery waffles. Whether you’re serving it for breakfast, brunch, or dinner, this recipe is sure to satisfy all your cravings for comfort food. Customize it with your favorite toppings and enjoy this Southern classic right at home!

Print