The Ultimate Chicken & Waffles Delight Recipe for Brunch Lovers

Crispy southern chicken dancing atop golden waffles creates a mouthwatering experience that blends comfort and excitement.

Maple syrup drizzles like liquid sunshine across this iconic dish.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this delectable combination.

Soul food enthusiasts understand the magic behind these contrasting textures and flavors.

Savory meets sweet in a culinary symphony that delights every sense.

Passionate chefs know how to balance the crisp chicken with fluffy waffle perfection.

You can master this classic recipe and impress everyone at the table.

Dive into this incredible southern tradition that promises pure deliciousness.

What Makes Chicken & Waffles Delight a Sweet and Savory Hit

• Transform ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience that combines crispy, juicy chicken with fluffy, golden waffles.
• Adapt the recipe to personal taste by adjusting spices in the chicken coating or trying different syrup variations, making it a versatile crowd-pleaser.
• Achieve restaurant-quality fried chicken with a simple buttermilk marinade and perfectly seasoned flour coating that guarantees a crispy exterior and tender interior.
• Prepare a delicious meal that brings everyone together, offering a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors that appeal to both kids and adults.

Ingredients That Bring Chicken & Waffles Delight to Life

• Chicken Thighs: A tender and flavorful meat that becomes incredibly juicy when marinated in buttermilk.

• All-Purpose Flour, Paprika, Garlic Powder, Salt, Black Pepper: A classic seasoning blend that creates a crispy and well-seasoned coating for the chicken.

• All-Purpose Flour, Baking Powder, Sugar, Salt: A standard dry mix that provides structure and light sweetness to the waffles.

• Buttermilk, Milk, Vegetable Oil, Eggs: These ingredients ensure moisture, tenderness, and rich flavor in both the chicken and waffle components.

• Maple Syrup, Butter: A classic sweet and rich topping that complements the savory fried chicken and crisp waffles.

• Cooking Oil: Provides the medium for frying the chicken to achieve a golden and crispy exterior.

Easy Steps to Prepare Chicken & Waffles Delight at Home

Step 1: Marinate The Chicken

Place chicken thighs in buttermilk inside a sealed container.

Refrigerate for several hours or overnight to ensure deep flavor infusion and maximum tenderness.

Step 2: Create Flavorful Coating

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

Remove chicken from buttermilk and thoroughly coat each piece in the seasoned flour blend.

Step 3: Perfect Chicken Frying

Heat vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium temperature.

Carefully place coated chicken pieces into hot oil.

Fry each side until achieving a gorgeous golden-brown color and ensuring internal temperature reaches safe cooking point.

Transfer fried chicken onto paper towels to drain excess oil.

Step 4: Mix Waffle Batter

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Granulated sugar
• Pinch of salt

• Whole milk
• Vegetable oil
• Large eggs

Gently fold wet mixture into dry ingredients until just combined.

Step 5: Create Golden Waffles

Preheat waffle maker.

Pour batter into heated griddle sections.

Cook until edges turn crispy and golden.

Remove carefully.

Step 6: Delicious Assembly

Position warm waffle on plate.

Crown with crispy chicken piece.

Generously drizzle pure maple syrup.

Optional: Add pat of butter for extra indulgence.

Tips for Balancing Flavors in Chicken & Waffles Delight

• Buttermilk soak helps break down proteins, making chicken incredibly juicy and flavorful before frying.
• Pat chicken dry before dredging to ensure a super crispy, golden-brown exterior that locks in moisture.
• Use a thermometer to maintain 350°F for perfect frying – prevents soggy chicken and ensures even cooking throughout.
• Avoid overmixing to keep waffles light and fluffy; a few small lumps are perfectly fine and contribute to better texture.
• Let fried chicken rest on paper towels for 2-3 minutes to drain excess oil and maintain ultimate crispiness before serving.

Best Way to Store and Reheat Chicken & Waffles Delight

• Store leftover chicken and waffles separately in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. Keep chicken in the bottom shelf to prevent cross-contamination.
• Wrap chicken and waffles individually in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. Chicken stays fresh for 3-4 months, waffles for 1-2 months.
• Use an air fryer at 375°F for 3-4 minutes to restore crispiness. Alternatively, bake in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes until heated through.
• Toast in a toaster or toaster oven for 2-3 minutes to maintain crispness. Microwave for 30 seconds if you prefer a softer texture, but expect slight sogginess.

Complementary Flavors for Chicken & Waffles Delight

• Flavor Symphony Pairings
• Sip Sweet Tea Cocktail: Craft a bourbon-infused sweet tea that complements the crispy chicken's savory notes and balances the waffle's sweetness.
• Amplify Citrus Salad: Create a light, zesty orange and grapefruit salad to cut through the richness of the fried chicken and provide a refreshing contrast.
• Match Spicy Pickled Sides: Prepare quick-pickled jalapeños or tangy pickled onions to add a sharp, acidic punch that enhances the dish's deep flavors.
• Elevate Buttermilk Ranch: Whip up a homemade buttermilk ranch dipping sauce with fresh herbs to provide a creamy, cool accompaniment to the hot chicken.

Ways to Add Variety to Chicken & Waffles Delight

• Gluten-Free Southern Comfort: Swap wheat flour with gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for both chicken coating and waffle batter. Use almond milk instead of regular milk to accommodate dairy sensitivities.
• Low-Carb Protein Power: Replace traditional waffle batter with cauliflower-based or almond flour waffles. Use pork rinds instead of flour for chicken breading to reduce carbohydrate content.
• Spicy Caribbean Remix: Incorporate jerk seasoning into chicken coating for a bold, Caribbean-inspired flavor profile. Add scotch bonnet peppers to the buttermilk marinade for extra heat and complexity.
• Vegan Comfort Plate: Substitute chicken with crispy tofu or seitan. Create plant-based waffles using aquafaba, chickpea flour, and plant milk. Top with maple-infused cashew cream instead of traditional syrup.

FAQs

• Why buttermilk for marinating chicken?

Buttermilk helps tenderize the chicken by breaking down proteins, making the meat incredibly soft and juicy while adding a subtle tangy flavor that enhances the overall taste of the dish.

• Can I use different chicken cuts?

Absolutely! While chicken thighs are recommended for their tenderness and flavor, you can also use chicken breasts or drumsticks. Just ensure they’re similar in thickness for even cooking.

• How do I know the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. Chicken should reach 165°F (74°C) to be safe for consumption. Golden brown color and crispy exterior are also good indicators of doneness.

• What makes the coating crispy?

The combination of flour and seasonings creates a perfect crispy exterior. Ensuring the oil is at the right temperature (around 350°F) and not overcrowding the pan helps achieve that desirable crunch.

Chicken & Waffles Delight Recipe

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4.8 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Indulgent chicken & waffles delight brings Southern comfort to your plate with crispy golden chicken nestled atop fluffy buttermilk waffles. Drizzled with maple syrup and a hint of hot sauce, this classic dish promises a mouthwatering journey through rich, savory flavors you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken Ingredients:

• 4 chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on)
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Oil for frying

Waffle Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs

Serving Ingredients:

• Maple syrup
• Butter (optional)

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Instructions

1. Immerse chicken thighs in buttermilk and refrigerate for minimum 1 hour to enhance meat tenderness and flavor absorption.
2. Create a seasoned coating by blending flour with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in a shallow container.
3. Remove chicken from buttermilk, thoroughly dredge each piece in the spiced flour mixture, ensuring complete and even coverage.
4. Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet to 350°F, maintaining a consistent medium temperature for optimal frying.
5. Carefully place coated chicken pieces into hot oil, cooking approximately 12-15 minutes, turning once to achieve a crispy, golden-brown exterior and fully cooked interior.
6. Transfer fried chicken to a wire rack lined with paper towels to drain excess oil and maintain crispiness.
7. Prepare waffle batter by whisking dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, sugar, salt) separately from wet ingredients (milk, vegetable oil, eggs).
8. Gently combine wet and dry ingredients, mixing until just incorporated to prevent overmixing and maintain waffle lightness.
9. Preheat waffle iron and lightly grease cooking surfaces to prevent sticking.
10. Pour batter into waffle maker, cooking until edges are golden and crisp, typically 3-4 minutes.
11. Plate a freshly made waffle, crown with a perfectly fried chicken piece, and cascade with warm maple syrup for a decadent finish.

Notes

• Use bone-in chicken thighs for extra juiciness and flavor, ensuring they reach an internal temperature of 165°F for safe consumption.
• Buttermilk tenderizes the chicken by breaking down proteins, creating an incredibly soft and moist texture that elevates the entire dish.
• Experiment with spice blends in the flour coating like adding cayenne for heat or smoked paprika for deeper complexity, making each bite more exciting.
• For gluten-free options, substitute all-purpose flour with almond or rice flour, and use gluten-free baking powder in waffle batter to accommodate different dietary needs.

• Prep Time: 1 hour
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 700
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 35 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 70 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg