Southern Fried Chicken & Waffles Recipe
on Aug 14, 2023, Updated Feb 07, 2025
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This chicken and waffles recipe combines crispy, buttermilk-fried chicken with fluffy, golden waffles for the ultimate comfort food mashup. A drizzle of maple syrup brings everything together for a perfect blend of sweet and savory that’ll make your morning unforgettable.
Sweet and fluffy buttermilk waffles might not be the first thing you think of to pair with juicy and crispy fried chicken, but boy oh boy it is a match made in heaven! The crunchy, salty exterior of the fried chicken contrasts perfectly against the fluffy sweetness of a freshly made waffle to create a dish that is 50% lunch, 50% breakfast, and 100% delicious!
A steaming plate full of freshly fried chicken and buttermilk waffles pairs well with all of your favorite breakfast side dishes! Plate this dish up with some hashbrowns, bacon, fresh fruit, or a yogurt parfait. You can even go full-southern-style and pair this dish with home fries, biscuits and gravy, or fried okra!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Chicken And Waffles Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: Everything you need is probably already in your pantry, from basic waffle mix to common chicken seasonings – no fancy ingredients required.
- Sweet & Savory: The combination of fluffy waffles with savory fried chicken creates a delightful flavor contrast. Drizzle with maple syrup for the perfect balance of sweet and salty.
- Crispy & Juicy: The chicken is perfectly fried to a golden crisp while staying tender and juicy inside. Every bite delivers a satisfying crunch followed by succulent, flavorful meat.
- Crowd-Pleasing Dish: It’s a classic comfort food that’s sure to impress family and friends at any gathering. Whether it’s brunch or dinner, this dish always brings smiles to the table.
🧇 If you haven’t tried waffles with chilli, you’re missing out—my family practically races to the table when they smell them cooking!
Recipe Ingredients
- Chicken Breasts — or chicken tenderloins
- All-Purpose Flour
- Buttermilk
- Egg
- Salted Butter
- Brown Sugar
- Baking Soda
- Baking Powder
- Salt
- Paprika
- Canola Oil — for frying the chicken
See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Southern Fried Chicken and Waffles Recipe
Step 1: Marinate the chicken in half of the buttermilk for a few minutes.
Step 2: In a large zip-top bag, combine half of the flour, the paprika, and the salt. Add the marinated chicken to the bag and shake until thoroughly coated in the flour mixture.
Step 3: Fry the chicken until golden brown, juicy, and no longer pink in the middle. Set aside.
Step 4: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the remaining buttermilk, egg, and melted butter.
Step 5: Add the remaining flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and baking soda and mix until just combined.
Step 6: Cook the batter in a prepared waffle iron until golden brown and slightly crispy. Serve the fried chicken over the waffles, top with maple syrup, and enjoy!
Recipe FAQs
Chicken and waffles is a classic southern dish that has grown in popularity over the years. This dish boasts a sweet and salty flavor combination that is both intriguing and satisfying. It’s crunchy, chewy, sticky, and savory and is best enjoyed for breakfast or brunch. Nowadays, you can find diners and cafés all over the country that serve chicken and waffles.
Traditionally, southern fried chicken and waffles are served with a side of maple syrup. Hardcore fans of this dish always drizzle their chicken and waffles with a generous amount of syrup—the sweet and salty combination is surprisingly delectable!
Absolutely! If you order chicken and waffles at a restaurant, they will be brough out to you warm, but that doesn’t mean you have to always enjoy them piping hot. Leftover fried chicken straight from the fridge is tastier than it sounds.
Place your finished waffles on a wire rack in a preheated 200°F oven. This keeps them crispy without drying them out while you finish cooking the chicken.
Expert Tips
- Prep Ahead: Although this recipe is quick to make, it takes a lot of back and forth in the kitchen. To prevent any mistakes, be sure to have all your ingredients measured out and ready to go before you start cooking.
- Oil For Frying: If you don’t have any canola oil, you can fry your chicken in another high-heat oil. Vegetable oil, coconut oil, and avocado oil are the best substitutes.
- Simple Flavor: Don’t be tempted to add too many spices to your fried chicken. Keeping the flavor profile simple will help to not overwhelm the dish. You want the tangy and sweet notes of the waffle to shine through and complement the other savory flavors.
- Double Dip: After coating the chicken in flour, dip it back into the buttermilk mixture and then into the flour again. This double-dredging technique creates an extra-thick, crispy crust that holds up beautifully.
- Butter vs Spray: Brush your waffle iron with melted butter instead of cooking spray. This creates a more even golden-brown color and adds an extra layer of richness to your waffles. Just be sure to wipe out any excess butter to prevent smoking.
Storing and Reheating Tips
Although this southern fried chicken and waffles isn’t the best reheated, the leftovers can still be saved in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Freeze the fried chicken and waffles separately for the best results. Avoid freezing them assembled to prevent sogginess. Let both cool completely, then store in airtight containers or freezer bags with parchment paper between layers. The chicken and waffles can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.
You can reheat the chicken in the air fryer or the microwave while you pop the chilled waffles into the toaster.
My Family’s Favorite Waffle Recipes
When it comes to breakfast, these waffle recipes are always a hit in my house—each one brings its own special twist that keeps everyone coming back for more! Here are our absolute favorites that I know you’ll love too.
- The classic fluffy buttermilk waffle recipe is a must-try for that melt-in-your-mouth texture everyone loves.
- For a healthier option, the healthy banana waffle recipe adds a sweet, nutritious twist that’s perfect for any morning.
- And if you’re craving something classic, the classic Belgian waffle recipe delivers crispy edges and a fluffy center every time.
Other Delicious Waffle Recipes To Try
Simple Gingerbread Recipes
Homemade Gingerbread Syrup: Cozy Holiday in a Bottle
15-Minute Recipes
Cornbread Waffles with Chili – 15 Minute Dinner Idea
Waffles
Easy Sourdough Waffle Recipe
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Southern Fried Chicken & Waffles Recipe
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Oil for frying
For the Waffles:
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ¼ cup salted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- maple syrup, (for serving), optional
Instructions
- Cut each chicken breast into 2-3 smaller pieces to help them cook all the way through easier. Combine the chicken in a large bowl with the milk. Allow the chicken to sit for about 5 minutes.
- While the chicken sits, combine the flour, paprika, and salt in a gallon-sized Ziploc bag. Add the chicken and shake the bag for about a minute, ensuring that each piece of chicken is evenly coated in the flour mixture.
- Set the chicken aside and heat about 4 inches of oil in a large pan until it reaches a temperature of about 350°F.
- While the oil is heating, prepare the waffle batter by whisking together the buttermilk, egg, and melted butter in a medium sized bowl. Once the wet ingredients are combined, whisk in the brown sugar, flour, baking powder, and baking soda until the batter is smooth.
- Cook the waffles using a mini waffle maker while you cook the chicken for about 5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy.
- Serve your chicken and waffles plain or top with maple syrup. Enjoy!
Notes
- Don’t just season the flour – add your spices to both the buttermilk marinade and flour coating. This builds layers of flavor that make every bite delicious, not just the crunchy exterior.
- If you do not have buttermilk you can use whole milk instead. You can also make a buttermilk substitute with more information on how to do that here.
- For extra flavor and juiciness, brine the chicken in a mixture of buttermilk, salt, and spices for at least 2 hours (or overnight) before frying.
- Use a candy thermometer to maintain oil temperature between 325-350°F. Too hot, and the outside burns before the inside cooks; too cool, and your chicken becomes greasy.
