Chicken and Waffles Recipe

Chicken and waffles is a delicious dish that brings together crispy fried chicken and fluffy waffles. This recipe combines savory and sweet flavors, making it a perfect meal for breakfast, brunch, or dinner. It’s a comfort food classic that has stood the test of time and remains a favorite among many.

Why Make This Recipe

Making chicken and waffles at home is a great way to enjoy this classic dish with family and friends. Not only can you customize your flavors, but you also get to enjoy the fun of cooking. This recipe is perfect for special occasions or a cozy weekend treat. Plus, it’s a great way to impress guests with your cooking skills!

How to Make Chicken and Waffles

Ingredients

• 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon hot sauce (optional)
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ⅓ cup cornstarch
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• Vegetable oil (for deep frying)
• ½ cup honey (or maple syrup)
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
• Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
• Pinch of kosher salt
• Best easy waffle recipe
• Fresh thyme (for garnish)

Directions

1. Marinate the chicken. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, hot sauce (if using), and cayenne pepper. Submerge the chicken thighs, ensuring they’re well coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
2. Prepare the seasoned flour coating. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Transfer this mix to a shallow dish.
3. Heat the oil. Fill a heavy-bottomed pot with vegetable oil, at least 2–3 inches deep. Heat the oil to 350°F over medium-high heat, using a thermometer to maintain the temperature.
4. Dredge the chicken. Remove the marinated chicken from the buttermilk, letting the excess liquid drip off. Dredge each piece in the seasoned flour, pressing to coat. For extra crispiness, dip back into the buttermilk and dredge again. Rest on a wire rack for 5–10 minutes.
5. Fry the chicken. Carefully lower the chicken into the hot oil. Fry in batches for 5–6 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. The internal temperature should reach 165°F. Let the fried chicken drain on a wire rack and season lightly with salt.
6. Prepare the spicy honey butter sauce. In a small saucepan, combine honey (or maple syrup), melted butter, cayenne pepper, and salt. Heat until it just simmers, then remove from heat.
7. Make the waffles. Use your favorite waffle recipe. Cook in a preheated waffle iron until golden brown. Transfer to a wire rack to keep warm.
8. Assemble and serve. Place a warm waffle on a plate, top with crispy fried chicken, and drizzle generously with the honey sauce. Garnish with fresh thyme and serve immediately.

How to Serve Chicken and Waffles

Serve your chicken and waffles hot, right after cooking. This dish is best enjoyed fresh, with the chicken crispy and the waffles warm and fluffy. Drizzle with spicy honey butter sauce and garnish with fresh herbs for added flavor.

How to Store Chicken and Waffles

To store leftover chicken and waffles, keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to 3 days. To reheat, you can use an oven or a toaster oven to ensure that the chicken stays crispy.

Tips to Make Chicken and Waffles

• For maximum tenderness, marinate the chicken overnight.
• Keep the oil at a consistent temperature for even frying.
• Let the cooked chicken rest on a wire rack to avoid sogginess.
• Serve immediately for the best texture.

Variation

You can customize this recipe by using chicken breasts instead of thighs or adding different spices to the flour mixture. You can also try using flavored syrups like berry or peach for a fruity twist on the classic honey.

FAQs

1. Can I use frozen chicken?
Yes, but it’s best to thaw it in the refrigerator before marinating.

2. What can I substitute for buttermilk?
You can use milk with a splash of vinegar or lemon juice to create a buttermilk substitute.

3. How can I make the waffles from scratch?
You can find many easy waffle recipes online, or you can use a store-bought mix for convenience.

Enjoy making this delightful Chicken and Waffles recipe!

Chicken and Waffles

A delicious dish combining crispy fried chicken and fluffy waffles, perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dinner.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 4 hours hrs

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 4 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Course Breakfast, Brunch, Comfort Food, Dinner

Cuisine American

Servings 4 servings

Calories 800 kcal

Ingredients

  

For the Chicken Marinade

• 6 pieces boneless skinless chicken thighs
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon hot sauce (optional)
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

For the Seasoned Coating

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 0.33 cup cornstarch
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• Vegetable oil (for deep frying)

For the Honey Butter Sauce

• 0.5 cup honey (or maple syrup)
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
• Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
• Pinch of kosher salt

For Serving

• Fresh thyme (for garnish)

Instructions

 

Marinating the Chicken

• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, hot sauce (if using), and cayenne pepper. Submerge the chicken thighs, ensuring they’re well coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.

Preparing the Coating

• In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Transfer this mix to a shallow dish.

Frying the Chicken

• Fill a heavy-bottomed pot with vegetable oil, at least 2–3 inches deep. Heat the oil to 350°F over medium-high heat.
• Remove the marinated chicken from the buttermilk, letting the excess liquid drip off. Dredge each piece in the seasoned flour, pressing to coat. For extra crispiness, dip back into the buttermilk and dredge again. Rest on a wire rack for 5–10 minutes.
• Carefully lower the chicken into the hot oil. Fry in batches for 5–6 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. The internal temperature should reach 165°F. Let the fried chicken drain on a wire rack and season lightly with salt.

Making the Honey Butter Sauce

• In a small saucepan, combine honey (or maple syrup), melted butter, cayenne pepper, and salt. Heat until it just simmers, then remove from heat.

Making the Waffles

• Use your favorite waffle recipe. Cook in a preheated waffle iron until golden brown. Transfer to a wire rack to keep warm.

Assembling the Dish

• Place a warm waffle on a plate, top with crispy fried chicken, and drizzle generously with the honey sauce. Garnish with fresh thyme and serve immediately.

Notes

For maximum tenderness, marinate the chicken overnight. Keep the oil at a consistent temperature for even frying. Let the cooked chicken rest on a wire rack to avoid sogginess. Serve immediately for the best texture. You can customize this recipe by using chicken breasts instead of thighs or adding different spices to the flour mixture.

Keyword Chicken and Waffles, Comfort Food, fried chicken, Honey Butter Sauce, Waffles