Crispy Golden Chicken and Waffles Recipe for Brunch Joy

Crispy golden waffles paired with juicy chicken create a comfort food miracle that’ll make you swoon.

Southern kitchens have long celebrated this delightful combination of sweet and savory flavors.

Buttermilk-marinated chicken brings incredible tenderness to each delectable bite.

Maple syrup drizzled over perfectly crisped chicken and fluffy waffles creates pure magic on your plate.

Crunchy exterior meets soft interior in this classic dish that satisfies every craving.

Weekend brunch or late-night indulgence, these chicken and waffles promise a culinary adventure you won’t forget.

Grab your skillet and waffle maker – deliciousness awaits!

What Makes Chicken And Waffles So Classic

• Tackle a Southern Comfort Classic: Dive into a beloved dish that brings together crispy fried chicken and fluffy waffles, creating a mouthwatering combination that's pure culinary magic.
• Master Simple Cooking Techniques: Learn easy frying and waffle-making skills that elevate your kitchen confidence, with straightforward steps anyone can follow without stress.
• Perfect for Crowd-Pleasing Meals: Impress family and friends with a restaurant-quality dish that's surprisingly simple to prepare, making it ideal for weekend brunches or casual gatherings.
• Customize Your Flavor Adventure: Play with spice levels by adjusting cayenne pepper, experiment with hot sauce, or add personal touches that make this classic recipe uniquely yours.

Ingredients for Chicken And Waffles

• Chicken: A tender and juicy protein that serves as the star of the dish, marinated to enhance flavor and ensure moisture.

• Buttermilk, Eggs, Melted Butter, Vanilla: These ingredients work together to add moisture, richness, and depth of flavor to both the chicken and waffles.

• Flour, Garlic Powder, Paprika, Cayenne, Salt, Pepper, Sugar, Baking Powder, Baking Soda: These seasonings and dry ingredients provide crispy texture, spice, and structure to the chicken coating and waffle batter.

• Vegetable Oil: Used for frying the chicken to achieve a golden and crispy exterior.
• Maple Syrup, Butter, Hot Sauce: Optional toppings that add sweetness, richness, and a spicy kick to the final dish.

How to Prepare Chicken And Waffles

Step 1: Soak Chicken In Buttermilk

Submerge chicken pieces completely in buttermilk. Let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or overnight for maximum tenderness and flavor infusion.

Step 2: Create Seasoned Flour Coating

• All-purpose flour
• Garlic powder
• Paprika
• Cayenne pepper
• Salt
• Black pepper

Blend these ingredients thoroughly to create a flavorful coating that will give the chicken a crispy, spicy exterior.

Step 3: Prepare Cooking Oil

Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or deep fryer.

Aim for a medium heat that will allow the chicken to cook evenly without burning.

Step 4: Coat Chicken In Seasoned Flour

Remove chicken from buttermilk, letting excess liquid drip off.

Roll each piece generously in the seasoned flour mixture, ensuring complete and even coverage.

Step 5: Fry Chicken To Perfection

Carefully place coated chicken pieces into hot oil.

Fry for 5-7 minutes on each side until the exterior turns a beautiful golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Step 6: Drain Fried Chicken

Transfer fried chicken to a plate lined with paper towels.

This helps absorb excess oil and keeps the chicken crispy.

Step 7: Prepare Waffle Batter

• All-purpose flour
• Sugar
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt

• Eggs
• Buttermilk
• Melted butter
• Vanilla extract

Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and mix until just combined.

Step 8: Cook Waffles

Preheat waffle iron according to manufacturer’s instructions. Pour batter into the iron and cook until waffles are golden and crispy.

Step 9: Assemble Chicken And Waffles

Place a freshly made waffle on a plate. Top with a piece of crispy fried chicken.

Drizzle generously with maple syrup.

Step 10: Add Final Touches

Optional: Add a pat of butter and a dash of hot sauce for extra flavor and excitement.

Helpful Tips for Chicken And Waffles

• Marinate chicken overnight in buttermilk for maximum tenderness and deeper flavor absorption.
• Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165F, guaranteeing safe and perfectly cooked meat.
• Rest fried chicken on paper towels to remove excess oil, maintaining crispy exterior and preventing sogginess.
• Mix waffle batter gently to avoid tough waffles; small lumps are acceptable for light, fluffy texture.
• Serve immediately after cooking to maintain crispiness of chicken and waffles, preserving optimal temperature and crunch.

Flavor Variations for Chicken And Waffles

• Gluten-Free Southern Comfort: Replace wheat flour with gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for chicken coating and waffle batter. Perfect for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Spicy Caribbean Chicken Waffles: Swap paprika with Jamaican jerk seasoning and add scotch bonnet peppers to flour mixture. Creates a fiery Caribbean-inspired version with intense heat.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Waffles: Substitute traditional waffle flour with riced cauliflower and almond flour. Top with grilled chicken for a keto-friendly protein-packed meal that cuts carbohydrates dramatically.

Serving Suggestions for Chicken And Waffles

• Southern Comfort Platter: Stack crispy golden waffles with juicy fried chicken, creating a tower of pure indulgence that screams southern hospitality and comfort food magic.
• Brunch Party Hero: Serve individual plates with chicken perched atop warm waffles, drizzled with maple syrup and a sprinkle of hot sauce for guests who love bold flavor combinations.
• Picnic Style Presentation: Cut chicken and waffles into bite-sized pieces, arrange on a large wooden board with extra syrup and hot sauce on the side for a casual, shareable meal that encourages interactive dining.
• Gourmet Twist: Elevate the classic by garnishing with fresh chives, cracked black pepper, and a dollop of herb-infused butter to add sophisticated layers of flavor and visual appeal.

Storage Advice for Chicken And Waffles

• Store leftover fried chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, ensuring it's completely cooled before sealing.
• Wrap waffles separately in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to maintain their crispness and prevent sogginess.
• Refrigerate chicken and waffles components individually to preserve their texture and prevent moisture buildup.
• Reheat chicken in the oven at 375°F for 10-15 minutes to restore crispiness, avoiding the microwave which can make the coating soggy.
• Warm waffles in a toaster or toaster oven for 2-3 minutes until crisp and heated through.
• For best results, reassemble and warm the dish just before serving to maintain the original quality and taste.

FAQs

• Why use buttermilk for marinating chicken?

Buttermilk helps tenderize the chicken by breaking down proteins, making the meat more juicy and flavorful while also helping the coating stick better during frying.

• Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?

While you can substitute, buttermilk provides a tangier taste and better texture. If you don’t have buttermilk, mix regular milk with a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice and let it sit for 5 minutes.

• How do I know the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F. The chicken should be golden brown on the outside and white (not pink) on the inside.

Easy Chicken And Waffles Recipe

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4.6 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Southern-style chicken and waffles merge crispy buttermilk-marinated chicken with golden Belgian waffles, creating a perfect balance of savory and sweet. Comfort cuisine from the American South delivers a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)

Coating and Seasoning:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste

Liquid and Cooking Ingredients:

• 1 cup buttermilk
• Vegetable oil for frying

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Instructions

1. Submerge chicken pieces in buttermilk and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes, preferably overnight for enhanced flavor absorption.
2. Create a seasoned coating by blending flour with garlic powder, paprika, cayenne, salt, and black pepper in a shallow dish.
3. Prepare a skillet or deep fryer, heating vegetable oil to a medium temperature around 350°F.
4. Carefully drain excess buttermilk from chicken pieces, then thoroughly coat each piece in the seasoned flour mixture.
5. Gently lower chicken into hot oil, frying approximately 5-7 minutes per side until exterior turns golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
6. Transfer fried chicken to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil and maintain crispiness.
7. Preheat waffle iron according to manufacturer’s specific temperature recommendations.
8. Combine dry waffle ingredients: flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a mixing bowl.
9. Whisk wet waffle ingredients separately: eggs, buttermilk, melted butter, and vanilla extract.
10. Merge wet and dry waffle mixtures, stirring until ingredients are just incorporated without overmixing.
11. Pour batter into waffle iron, cooking until exterior becomes golden and crisp.
12. Assemble dish by placing crispy waffle on plate, topping with perfectly fried chicken.
13. Finish by drizzling maple syrup and optionally adding butter and hot sauce for additional flavor complexity.

Notes

• Let buttermilk marinate work its magic by keeping chicken in it overnight for maximum tenderness and deeper flavor absorption.
• Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches exact 165F, preventing dryness while guaranteeing safe cooking temperatures.
• Choose low-fat buttermilk and bake chicken instead of frying for a healthier version that still maintains crispy exterior and juicy interior.
• Experiment with gluten-free flour blend to make recipe suitable for those with wheat sensitivities, maintaining similar texture and taste profile.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 450 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 350 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1.5 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg