Chicken and Waffles

Get ready for this Southern Chicken and Waffles Recipe. Crispy, seasoned fried chicken on top of a fluffy waffle! It's a combo that every true Soul Food lover can't live without!

Y’all this Chicken and Waffles recipe right here? This is ready to blow your mind and give Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles a run for their money! I dredge and fry that chicken up perfectly making sure to get that crispy, golden brown crunchy crust with a juicy inside. Then I pile the fried chicken on my light, fluffy from scratch waffles. Drizzle on syrup and get that savory, salty and sweet combo guaranteed that only chicken and waffles brings to make you weak in the knees.

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A top down shot of Southern chicken and waffles with butter and syrup melting down with a black background

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I consider myself an expert on chicken and waffles. I’ve had them everywhere from the North to the South. From the famous Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles to Chicago Chicken and Waffles, I’ve had my fill. I even tried over 10 different varieties in Atlanta when I was there for college. I know what the best recipes have. So trust me when I tell you that this is as good as it gets. No soggy waffles or dry chicken around these parts boos! If you’ve ever had this in a Southern restaurant, trust me when I tell you that you can save the trip and make this even better at the crib.

What are Chicken and Waffles?

Chicken and Waffles is a popular American dish that combines fried chicken with waffles usually topped with butter and maple syrup. It was a great way to mix sweet and savory flavors in a fun and inventive way. The South is definitely responsible for popularizing this recipe where you can find it all over from Georgia to Mississippi but it is even a very popular dish in New York and Pennsylvania. While its mostly eaten for breakfast and brunch, it can even be served up for dinner.

The Lowdown on this Chicken and Waffles Recipe

  • Cuisine Inspiration:  Soul Food and Southern Comfort
  • Primary Cooking Method: Frying and Waffle Iron
  • Dietary Info: Contains gluten and dairy. But can be adapted for dietary needs.
  • Key Flavor: Sweet and Savory
  • Skill Level: Intermediate

Ingredients You’ll Need to Make this Southern Style Chicken and Waffles Recipe

For the Waffles:

Ingredients in this buttermilk waffle recipe on the table before mixing.
  • All-Purpose Flour & Baking Powder: These create the base, bringing structure and lift.
  • Granulated Sugar & Ground Cinnamon: This gives us sweetness and warmth.
  • Eggs: I separate the yolks from the whites in this recipe. Folding in the stiff peak egg whites keeps the waffle batter light and airy.
  • Buttermilk & Melted Salted Butter: I love using buttermilk for that extra moisture and tang. The butter gives such great richness.
  • Vanilla Extract: This gives the waffle batter some aromatic personality y’all.

For the Chicken:

Ingredients to make big mama's fried chicken on the table before mixing together.
  • Chicken: Be sure to use fresh, plump pieces of chicken! And use what you like whether that’s thighs or breasts or drumsticks.
  • Eggs Wash: Mixed with hot sauce and Worcestershire, this gives some deep flavor while also making sure that batter sticks just right.
  • Flour & Cornstarch Combo: Nothing makes a crispy crust like a cornstarch flour combo.
  • Seasoning Blend: Seasoned salt, paprika, cayenne, black pepper, garlic salt, and onion powder bring the heat and a bunch of flavor to our breading.

How to Make Chicken and Waffles

Step 1: Make the Waffle Batter

  1. Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and cinnamon in a large bowl and whisk together.
  2. Add the egg yolks, buttermilk, melted butter, and a splash of vanilla extract to the bowl and mix until combined.

PRO TIP: Make sure you don’t get too whisky with it and overmix your batter. Overmixing will create too much gluten production and taste more rubbery and doughy, not light and fluffy like we want.

A collage of images showing mixing the waffle batter from mixing the dry ingredients, wet ingredients and finally mixing them together.

Step 2: Beat the Egg Whites for Fluffy Waffles

  1. Place the egg whites in a clean bowl.
  2. Beat them until those stiff peaks develop. This is gonna keep those waffles nice and light.
  3. Add the fluffy egg whites to the batter.
  4. Gently fold the whipped whites into your batter. Be gentle!
A collage showing beating the egg whites and then adding to the buttermilk waffle batter.

Step 3: Cook Your Waffles

  1. Preheat your waffle maker, give it a good spritz of non-stick spray.
  2. Cook according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Pouring the buttermilk waffle mixture onto a hot waffle iron.

Step 4: Bread the Chicken and Let it Rest

  1. Whisk together the eggs, hot sauce, and Worcestershire sauce in a medium-sized bowl.
  2. Add the flour, cornstarch, seasoned salt, paprika, cayenne pepper, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder to a paper bag and shake to mix everything together.
  3. Dip each piece of chicken into the egg mixture turning to get both sides coated.
  4. Dip the coated chicken into the seasoned flour thoroughly covering both sides.
  5. Place each chicken piece to a baking sheet after it’s breaded. Let sit for 10-15 minutes to let it set up.
A collage of mixing the wet ingredients, dry ingredients, and dipping the chicken in each.

Step 5: Fry the Chicken

  1. Heat 1-1/2 inches of oil in a cast iron skillet or heavy-bottom tall pot over medium-high heat. It should get to about 375 F in temperature.
  2. Fry the chicken, four pieces at a time, on each side starting with dark meat since it takes longer. Make sure you don’t overcrowd the pan. After each side has turned slightly golden, cover with the lid to steam the inside of the chicken ensuring doneness. After a couple of minutes remove the lid and continue to fry until the crust is crispy and golden brown.
  3. Remove the chicken from the oil and place it on paper towels or a wire rack to drain all the excess oil. Place the chicken on a baking sheet covered with parchment and add it to the oven to keep warm while finishing the other chicken pieces.
A collage of cooking the fried chicken in oil and then draining on a rack.

Step 6: Assemble

  1. Layer each waffle with 1-2 fried chicken pieces, drizzle with warm pure maple syrup and sprinkle with confectioner’s sugar and serve.
Fried chicken waffles in a top down shot ready to

What to Serve with Chicken and Waffles

Recipe Substitutions

  • Buttermilk: Most of us ain’t got buttermilk just lying around. Make your own by grabbing some milk and adding 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to 1 cup of milk. Let sit for about 10 minutes and it is ready to go!
  • Cornstarch: Since cornstarch is a bit more of a speciality pantry ingredient, you might not have it. Just replace with more flour.
  • Gluten-Free: You can easily make this for all the gluten-free fam by replacing the flour with gluten-free cup for cup brands. Just swap out at a 1:1 ratio for the all-purpose flour in the recipe.

Recipe Variations and Additions

  • Savory Up the Waffles: Omit the sugar and add in some cheese, herbs like parsley, and even some chopped up bacon for more of a savory twist.
  • Use Chicken Tenders: If you want easier eating, go boneless and use chicken tenders.
  • Spice it up: Add more cayenne and hot sauce to the batter for the fried chicken along with some chili powder to give it a bit more fire.
  • Top it Up: Play around with the toppings. Add candied pecans, whipped cream and even berries or strawberry preserves for some different textures.
Two fried chicken wings laying on top of a buttermilk waffle with a butter pat ready to serve

Expert Tips and Tricks

  • Don’t Skip Resting: Both before you fry and after boos! Before you fry, let that flour coating set so it doesn’t fall off in the oil. And after you fry, let the chicken rest for 10 minutes. It will make your chicken juicier.
  • Frying Temperature: Make sure you keep that oil around 350°F. Use a thermometer so you will fry at the perfect temperature. This will ensure it doesn’t burn (oil too hot) or create soggy chicken (oil too cold).
  • Preheat Your Waffle Iron: This helps make sure your waffles are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside boos.
  • Keep it All Warm: Frying chicken takes much longer than making the waffles. Once you finish your waffles, you can keep them warm in a preheated oven (around 200°F/95°C) while you fry the chicken. This way, you can serve everything piping hot when its all ready.

How to Store Waffles and Chicken

  • Fridge: For the chicken, cool leftovers completely then line an airtight container with paper towels and transfer the chicken. It lasts for 3-4 days.  For the waffles, cool leftovers down then add them to an airtight container with a piece of parchment between them. That helps them not stick together. They last about 3 days.
  • Freezer: For the chicken, store the same way as above and add to the freezer. It lasts up to 3 months. For the waffles, add to a freezer bag and store for up to 2 months.
  • Reheat: For the chicken, let it sit out at room temp for at least 30 minutes then preheat the oven to 400° F and line a baking sheet with foil. Add the chicken and cover with another baking sheet to insulate. Heat for 20 minutes, and then let the chicken rest for at least 5 minutes before serving. For the waffles, add to a toaster or to the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through and crispy. If frozen, no need to thaw; just add a couple of minutes to the reheating time.

Additional Recipes

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make my waffle batter ahead?

I don’t suggest you make the waffle batter ahead. Because we fold in the stiff egg whites, the egg whites will deflate if they sit overnight in the fridge. You can however mix all the dry ingredients ahead in a container and store that before you mix in the morning.

What’s the best order to cook my chicken and waffles?

Start with the waffles first because you can keep them warmed up in a preheated oven while you fry up the chicken.

Why is my fried chicken soggy?

This happens when the temperature of the oil isn’t usually high enough. If it is too low, the oil will seep into the chicken instead of crisping it up. Also make sure you don’t overcrowd the pieces in the pan. This can bring down the temperature as well.

How do I keep the breading from falling off my fried chicken?

Make sure you don’t forget to rest your chicken after you dredge it. Let it sit and set so it sticks better.

*Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating and leave comments below!*
A top down shot of chicken and waffles with butter and syrup melting down with a black background

Homemade Chicken and Waffles Recipe

Get ready for this Southern Chicken and Waffles Recipe. Crispy, seasoned fried chicken on top of a fluffy waffle! It's a combo that every true Soul Food lover can't live without!
4.55 from 55 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course: Breakfast
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

For the Waffles

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 2 large eggs separated
  • 2 cups buttermilk
  • 6 tbsp salted butter melted
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract

For the Fried Chicken

  • 8 chicken pieces
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 3 tablespoons seasoned salt
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
  • 2 teaspoons black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder

Instructions

For the Waffles

  • In one large bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and ground cinnamon.
  • Next whisk in egg yolks, buttermilk, melted butter and vanilla extract.
  • Beat remaining egg whites until stiff peaks form.
  • Gently fold stiff egg whites into batter.
  • Heat waffle maker, spray maker with non-stick spray and prepare waffles according to manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Once you finish your waffles, you can keep them warm in a preheated oven (around 200°F/95°C) while you fry the chicken.

For the Chicken

  • In a medium sized bowl, whisk together eggs, hot sauce and worcestershire and set aside.
  • Next add flour, cornstarch, seasoned salt, paprika, cayenne pepper, black pepper, garlic powder and onion powder to a paper bag and shake to mix well.
  • Dip each piece of chicken into egg wash coating both sides then dip into seasoned flour thoroughly coating each piece. Then add piece to baking sheet to rest.
  • Finish coating all chicken and let sit for 10-15 minutes until coating has set.
  • While coating sets, add 1-1/2 inches of oil to a cast iron skillet or heavy bottom skillet and heat over medium high heat. Also turn on oven to 275 degrees.
  • This is my test for knowing when the oil is ready: Big Mama always tossed a tiny bit of flour in the oil and if it began to fry and sizzle, the oil was ready.
  • Fry four pieces at a time on each side starting with dark meat since it takes longer. Make sure you don’t overcrowd the pan.
  • After each side has turned slightly golden, put the top on the skillet to steam the inside of the chicken ensuring doneness. After a couple of minutes, remove the top and continue to fry until the crust is crispy again and completely golden brown.
  • Remove chicken from oil and place on paper towels or rack to drain. Place chicken on a baking sheet covered with parchment and add to warmed oven while finishing the other chicken pieces.
  • Fry the remaining chicken pieces and drain and add to oven. Add the remaining chicken to the oven.

To Assemble

  • Add butter to waffles and allow to melt.
  • Lastly, layer each finished waffle with two pieces of chicken, drizzle with warm pure maple syrup and sprinkle with confectioner’s sugar and parsley to serve.

Video

Notes

How to Store Leftovers and Reheat
  • Fridge: For the chicken, cool leftovers completely then line an airtight container with paper towels and carefully transfer the chicken. It lasts for 3-4 days.  For the waffles, cool leftovers down then add them to an airtight container with a piece of parchment between them. That helps them not stick together. They last about 3 days.
  • Freezer: For the chicken, store the same way as above and add to the freezer. It lasts up to 3 months. For the waffles, add to a freezer bag and store for up to 2 months.
  • Reheat: For the chicken, let it sit out at room temp for at least 30 minutes then preheat the oven to 400° F and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Spread out the chicken on the baking sheet and cover with another baking sheet to insulate. Heat for 20 minutes, and then let the chicken rest for at least 5 minutes before serving. toaster or oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through and crispy. If frozen, no need to thaw; just add a couple of minutes to the reheating time.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 619kcal | Carbohydrates: 76g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 87mg | Sodium: 6102mg | Potassium: 472mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 845IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 179mg | Iron: 5.1mg
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Filed Under:  Breakfast, Chicken, Main Dishes, Stovetop

Comments

    1. We recently switched to egg but you are free to use either. They will both turn out perfectly.

4.55 from 55 votes (37 ratings without comment)

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