Description
Homemade chicken and waffles blend Southern comfort with crispy golden perfection. Hearty flavors and contrasting textures promise a delightful meal you’ll savor with pure culinary joy.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken:
- 4 chicken breasts or thighs
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons paprika
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Frying Ingredient:
- 4 cups vegetable oil for frying
Waffles:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Submerge chicken pieces in a seasoned buttermilk bath, allowing flavors to penetrate for 2-4 hours in the refrigerator, ensuring thorough marination.
- Remove chicken from buttermilk, gently shake off excess liquid, and generously coat each piece with a blend of seasoned flour, creating a crisp exterior.
- Heat oil to 350°F in a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot, carefully lowering marinated chicken pieces into the hot oil and frying until exterior turns deep golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- While chicken fries, prepare waffle batter by whisking dry and wet ingredients separately, then combining until just incorporated, avoiding overmixing.
- Preheat waffle iron and pour batter, cooking until edges are crisp and golden, typically 3-4 minutes per waffle.
- Drain fried chicken on wire rack or paper towels to maintain crispiness and remove excess oil.
- Plate waffles and top with perfectly crisp chicken pieces, finishing with a generous drizzle of warm maple syrup for classic southern-style presentation.
Notes
- For ultra-tender chicken, ensure the buttermilk completely covers the meat and refrigerate during marinating to enhance flavor absorption.
- Double-dip the chicken in seasoned flour for an extra crispy, textured crust that locks in moisture and creates irresistible crunch.
- Maintain oil at 350°F when frying to guarantee evenly cooked, golden-brown chicken without burning the exterior or leaving the inside raw.
- Swap regular flour with gluten-free alternatives like rice flour or cornstarch for those with wheat sensitivities, maintaining the same crispy texture.
- Prep Time: 4 hours
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg