Description
Southern comfort classic Chicken and Waffles brings crispy golden chicken atop fluffy buttermilk waffles, drizzled with maple syrup. Comfort meets indulgence in this irresistible dish that speaks to soul food tradition and culinary creativity you’ll savor bite after delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 2 large eggs
Flour and Dry Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour for chicken
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour for waffles
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Liquid and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) buttermilk
- 1 ¾ cups (420 milliliters) milk
- ½ cup (115 grams) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
- Maple syrup or honey
- Butter (optional, for the waffles)
- Hot sauce (optional, for extra spice)
Instructions
- Infuse chicken pieces with a zesty buttermilk and hot sauce bath, allowing flavors to meld in the refrigerator for a minimum of 60 minutes or ideally overnight.
- Create a robust seasoning blend by whisking together flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper in a wide, shallow container.
- Extract chicken from the marinade, allowing excess liquid to cascade off, then meticulously coat each piece in the aromatic flour mixture, pressing firmly to ensure complete coverage.
- Heat oil in a deep skillet or fryer to precisely 350°F, maintaining a consistent temperature for optimal crispiness.
- Carefully lower seasoned chicken pieces into the hot oil, frying until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F, typically 12-15 minutes depending on size.
- While chicken fries, prepare crisp, fluffy waffles using a preheated waffle iron, ensuring a golden exterior and tender interior.
- Drain fried chicken on a wire rack or paper towels to preserve crunchiness and remove excess oil.
- Plate waffles and top with piping hot fried chicken, drizzling with pure maple syrup or honey for a classic sweet-savory combination.
- Garnish with optional chopped fresh herbs or a sprinkle of additional seasoning for enhanced flavor profile.
Notes
- Perfectly Marinate for Maximum Flavor by allowing chicken to soak in buttermilk mixture overnight, which helps tenderize the meat and infuse deep, tangy seasonings.
- Achieve Crispy Coating by ensuring the flour mixture completely covers each chicken piece, pressing firmly to create a thick, even layer that will crisp beautifully when fried.
- Adjust Spice Levels easily by reducing or increasing cayenne pepper and hot sauce to match personal heat preferences without compromising the overall recipe’s integrity.
- Make Gluten-Free by substituting regular flour with gluten-free flour blend, which maintains the crispy texture while accommodating dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 150mg