Fried Chicken and Waffles

🕒 Prep: 30 min
🔥 Cook: 40 min
🍽 Serves: 4
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Fried Chicken and Waffles is a Southern classic that perfectly balances savory and sweet flavors. This dish is perfect for brunch, dinner, or any time you're in the mood for comfort food. Let's dive into a recipe that combines crispy fried chicken with fluffy waffles, topped with a drizzle of maple syrup.

Ingredients for Fried Chicken and Waffles

Chicken thighs are chosen for their juiciness and flavor, making them perfect for frying. Buttermilk tenderizes the chicken and adds a slight tang, while hot sauce infuses it with a subtle heat. For the crispy coating, we mix all-purpose flour with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and a touch of cayenne pepper for an extra kick. Cornstarch is added for a lighter, crispier crust. Vegetable oil is ideal for frying due to its high smoke point.

For the waffles, all-purpose flour provides the base, while sugar adds a hint of sweetness. Baking powder ensures they rise beautifully, and a pinch of salt enhances all the flavors. The wet ingredients—milk, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract—create a rich, tender waffle. Finally, top everything off with maple syrup for that essential sweet finish.

Tips & Tricks

  • Letting the coated chicken rest before frying helps the crust stick better and become crispier.
  • Test the oil temperature with a small piece of bread; if it sizzles and turns golden in a minute, the oil is ready.
  • For extra fluffy waffles, don't overmix the batter; small lumps are okay.

Serving Suggestions

Pair this dish with a fresh fruit salad to balance the richness. For a savory twist, add a few pickles on the side. A cold glass of iced tea or a mimosa can elevate your brunch experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Yes, but keep in mind that thighs are juicier and more flavorful. If using breasts, adjust the frying time as they may cook faster.
How can I make the chicken spicier?
Increase the amount of hot sauce in the marinade or add extra cayenne pepper to the flour mixture.
Can I make the waffles ahead of time?
Yes, you can make them ahead and reheat in the oven to maintain their crispiness.

Fried Chicken and Waffles Recipe Walkthrough

Start by marinating the chicken. In a large bowl, combine the buttermilk and hot sauce. Add the chicken thighs, making sure they’re completely submerged. Cover the bowl and let it sit in the fridge for at least two hours, or even overnight for deeper flavor.

While the chicken marinates, prepare the seasoned coating. In a separate bowl, mix the flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and cornstarch. This blend will give your chicken a deliciously crispy crust.

When ready to cook, remove the chicken from the marinade and dredge each piece in the seasoned flour mixture. Ensure an even coat and let them rest on a wire rack for about 10 minutes. This allows the coating to adhere better when frying.

Heat your vegetable oil in a deep skillet to 350°F. Fry the chicken in batches, giving them enough space to cook evenly. Each batch should take about 10-15 minutes until they're golden brown and cooked through. Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.

For the waffles, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. In another bowl, mix the milk, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. Combine the wet and dry ingredients, stirring until just combined. Preheat your waffle iron and cook the batter according to the manufacturer's instructions until the waffles are golden and crispy.

To serve, place a piece of fried chicken on top of a waffle and drizzle generously with maple syrup. Enjoy the perfect harmony of flavors and textures!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • A perfect blend of crunchy and soft textures.
  • Spicy, savory, and sweet flavors in every bite.
  • Ideal for family gatherings or a special weekend treat.
  • Easy to customize with your favorite spices and toppings.

Ingredients

2 lbs chicken thighs
2 cups buttermilk
1 tbsp hot sauce
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tbsp paprika
2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 cup cornstarch
Vegetable oil for frying
2 cups all-purpose flour (waffles)
2 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt (waffles)
1 3/4 cups milk
1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup maple syrup

Step-by-step Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine buttermilk and hot sauce. Add chicken thighs, ensuring they are fully submerged. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
2. In a separate bowl, mix flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and cornstarch.
3. Remove chicken from buttermilk mixture and dredge in the seasoned flour, ensuring a full coat. Let rest on a wire rack for 10 minutes.
4. Heat oil in a deep skillet to 350°F. Fry chicken in batches until golden brown and cooked through, about 10-15 minutes per batch. Drain on paper towels.
5. For waffles, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.
6. In another bowl, mix milk, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
7. Preheat waffle iron and cook batter according to manufacturer's instructions until waffles are golden and crispy.
8. Serve fried chicken on top of waffles and drizzle with maple syrup.

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