Description
Southern chicken and waffles blend crispy fried chicken with golden Belgian-style waffles, creating a beloved comfort dish. Savory meets sweet in this classic Southern delicacy that invites you to experience true culinary tradition.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 4 chicken thighs or drumsticks (bone-in, skin-on)
Marinade and Coating:
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Cooking Ingredient:
- 4 cups (32 fluid ounces / 946 milliliters) oil for frying
Instructions
- Immerse chicken pieces in a tangy buttermilk bath seasoned with salt, pepper, and paprika, allowing flavors to penetrate for a minimum of 60 minutes or ideally overnight.
- Create a robust seasoning blend by combining flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper in a spacious mixing vessel.
- Prepare a deep skillet or fryer, heating oil to a precise 350°F (175°C) for optimal frying conditions.
- Carefully transfer marinated chicken through the seasoned flour mixture, ensuring complete and even coating.
- Submerge coated chicken into hot oil, frying for 12-15 minutes until achieving a rich golden exterior and crispy texture, verifying internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Transfer fried chicken onto absorbent paper towels to drain excess oil, maintaining warmth.
- Activate waffle iron for subsequent preparation.
- Whisk dry ingredients including flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt in a medium bowl.
- In a separate container, vigorously blend eggs, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract.
- Gently fold wet and dry ingredients together, mixing until just incorporated to maintain waffle tenderness.
- Ladle batter into preheated waffle iron, cooking until surfaces turn golden and edges become delightfully crisp.
Notes
- Marinate the chicken overnight for maximum flavor absorption and tender meat.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches the safe internal temperature of 165F without overcooking.
- Try gluten-free flour blend as a substitute for all-purpose flour to make the recipe celiac-friendly.
- Add a dash of hot sauce or honey to the buttermilk marinade for an extra flavor kick.
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg