Chicken and Waffles

Name: Chicken and Waffles
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces (thighs and drumsticks work well); 2 cups buttermilk; 1 teaspoon hot sauce; 1½ cups all-purpose flour; Salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika to taste; Neutral oil for frying (such as vegetable or canola oil); 2 large eggs; 4 tablespoons melted butter (for waffle batter); 1½ cups all-purpose flour (for waffles); 1 tablespoon sugar; 1 tablespoon baking powder; Maple syrup, to serve

About this dish

Chicken and Waffles is an American dish that pairs crispy fried chicken with soft, golden waffles, typically served with butter and maple syrup for a satisfying combination of savory and sweet flavors.

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Ingredients

🍗4 bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces (thighs and drumsticks work well)

🥛2 cups buttermilk

🌶️1 teaspoon hot sauce

🌾1½ cups all-purpose flour

🧂Salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika to taste

🫙Neutral oil for frying (such as vegetable or canola oil)

🥚2 large eggs

🧈4 tablespoons melted butter (for waffle batter)

🥞1½ cups all-purpose flour (for waffles)

🍬1 tablespoon sugar

🫧1 tablespoon baking powder

🍁Maple syrup, to serve

Method

Serves 4

Marinate the chicken pieces in buttermilk mixed with hot sauce, salt, and pepper for at least 4 hours or overnight in the refrigerator. This tenderizes the meat and adds flavor.

When ready to cook, prepare the seasoned flour by combining all-purpose flour with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika in a shallow bowl.

Remove chicken from the buttermilk marinade, allowing excess to drip off, then dredge each piece thoroughly in the seasoned flour, pressing to adhere. For extra crunch, dip back in the buttermilk and dredge again.

Heat about 2–3 inches of neutral oil in a heavy skillet or Dutch oven to 325–350°F (160–175°C). Fry chicken in batches, turning occasionally, until deeply golden and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F / 74°C), about 12–16 minutes depending on piece size. Drain on a wire rack.

While the chicken rests, prepare the waffle batter by whisking together flour, sugar, baking powder, and a pinch of salt in a large bowl.

In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, melted butter, and milk (about 1¼ cups), then fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until just combined — do not overmix.

Cook the batter in a preheated, greased waffle iron according to the manufacturer's instructions until waffles are golden and crisp.

Serve the fried chicken on top of or alongside the waffles, with butter and maple syrup on the side.

✓ What Makes it Authentic

Chicken and Waffles has long-standing associations with both Southern American cuisine and African American culinary traditions, and versions of the pairing appear in different regional contexts across the United States. The dish became widely popular through soul food restaurants, particularly in cities like Los Angeles and Harlem, New York, where it developed devoted followings. Today it is enjoyed across the country as both a brunch staple and a comfort food classic.

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