Crispy, juicy fried chicken meets fluffy, golden waffles in this Southern classic that’s as perfect for brunch as it is for dinner. The buttermilk-brined chicken is full of flavor and crunch, and when you pair it with sweet, slightly crunchy cornmeal waffles and a drizzle of hot honey? Magic on a plate.
Southern food has a way of making you feel like you’re home — even if you’ve never stepped foot in the South. And this chicken and waffles combo is one of those legendary dishes that somehow brings sweet and savory into perfect harmony. It’s rich, comforting, and makes you wonder why we don’t eat fried chicken for breakfast more often.
I’ve made many versions of this over the years, but this one? It’s my go-to. A tangy buttermilk marinade, crispy coating with a touch of cornmeal, and waffles that walk the line between hearty and tender. And don’t skip the hot honey. Trust me.
Ingredients You’ll Need (and How to Switch Things Up)
Chicken
I like using boneless, skinless chicken thighs for this. They cook up juicy every time and have just the right amount of richness.
Buttermilk Brine
The secret to deeply flavorful and tender chicken is a good soak in buttermilk. I add garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and hot sauce to give it a little punch.
- Hot Sauce – Something like Frank’s or Tabasco works well. You can also swap in a pinch of chili powder if that’s what you have.
- Smoked Paprika – Adds a gentle smokiness and color to the marinade.
Coating
This is where the crunch happens. I mix all-purpose flour and rice flour for a lighter, extra crispy crust. Poultry seasoning adds a herbal, garlicky Southern kick.
Hot Honey (Optional, But You’ll Regret Skipping It)
Butter, honey, and a dash of your favorite hot sauce — that’s it. Drizzle it over the top right before serving.
Waffle Batter
My waffle batter starts with buttermilk, eggs, and flour. Then I throw in some sugar, a little baking soda and powder for lift, and the secret: cornmeal.
- Cornmeal – Just a bit makes all the difference. It gives the waffles a lovely texture and subtle sweetness that pairs beautifully with the savory chicken.
How to Make Southern Chicken and Waffles
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
Place the chicken thighs in a bowl or zip-top bag with the buttermilk, spices, and hot sauce. Let it sit in the fridge for 1 to 4 hours. More than that, and the buttermilk starts breaking down the meat too much.
Step 2: Dredge the Chicken
In a big bowl, mix your flour, rice flour, poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper. Take the chicken out of the brine, shake off the excess, and coat each piece in the flour mixture. Set them on a tray.
Step 3: Fry Until Golden
Heat about 2 inches of oil in a deep skillet or Dutch oven. I add a little butter too — it helps with flavor and color. Once the oil reaches around 350–375°F, fry the chicken in batches for about 8 to 9 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Keep the fried pieces warm in a 200°F oven while you make the waffles.
Step 4: Make the Waffle Batter
Heat up your waffle maker and give it a light coating of oil or spray. In one bowl, whisk the dry ingredients. In another, mix the wet. Slowly combine the two to form a smooth batter.
Step 5: Cook the Waffles
Pour about ⅔ cup of batter into each waffle mold and cook according to your waffle maker’s instructions. You want them golden and crisp at the edges.
Step 6: Serve and Drizzle
Plate up a waffle, top it with a crispy piece of fried chicken, and drizzle with that hot honey (or maple syrup, if that’s your vibe).
Tools That’ll Help
- Dutch Oven or Deep Skillet – You need something heavy that holds heat well so the oil stays hot enough to fry the chicken properly.
- Wire Rack – To rest the chicken after frying. Keeps it from getting soggy underneath.
- Waffle Maker – A good nonstick one makes life easier.
Storing and Reheating Tips
Fried chicken keeps well in the fridge for about 4 days. Just store it in an airtight container. To bring it back to life, use the oven or air fryer — you’ll get that crispy crust again.
Waffles are best fresh, but if you have extras, pop them in the fridge or freezer. To reheat, skip the microwave if you can. Use the oven or toaster instead to keep them from getting soggy.
A Quick Note on Cornmeal in Waffles
I like to use equal parts cornmeal and flour in my batter — it adds a nice crunch and slightly nutty sweetness that balances the dish beautifully. Feel free to adjust the ratio if you want more or less texture. It really makes the waffle stand out, especially with savory toppings.
Southern Fried Chicken and Waffles
Make delicious chicken and waffles at home with this simple take on a classic Southern favorite. It’s the perfect combination of sweet and savory flavors!
Ingredients
Chicken Brine
- 8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Coating/Dredge
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup rice flour
- 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Frying
- 4 tablespoons butter
- Vegetable oil
Waffles Dry Ingredients
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup cornmeal
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Wet Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup melted butter
Hot Honey (Optional)
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce
Instructions
Chicken
- Place the chicken in a bowl or sealable bag and cover with buttermilk. Marinate for at least 1 hour (to tenderize), but no more than 4 hours.
- In a bowl, combine both flours, poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper. Remove excess buttermilk from the chicken and coat each piece thoroughly in the flour mixture. Set aside on a tray. Preheat oven to 200°F.
- In a deep skillet or Dutch oven, add about 2 inches of vegetable oil and the butter. Heat until the oil shimmers. Fry four pieces at a time for 8–9 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Drain on paper towels and keep warm in the oven or covered with foil while preparing the waffles.
Waffles
- Preheat the waffle maker and lightly coat with nonstick spray.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the wet ingredients, then combine with the dry ingredients to form a smooth batter.
- Pour approximately 2/3 cup of batter into each waffle mold and cook according to the waffle maker’s instructions. Serve hot with the fried chicken and your choice of maple syrup or hot honey.
Notes
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter with the honey and hot sauce. Whisk until combined and keep warm until ready to serve.
Hot Honey
Nutrition Information
Yield
4Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 1437Total Fat 73gSaturated Fat 37gTrans Fat 2gUnsaturated Fat 32gCholesterol 497mgSodium 3193mgCarbohydrates 124gFiber 5gSugar 30gProtein 76g
Dinnerfocus.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I serve this with syrup instead of hot honey?
Absolutely. Maple syrup, honey, or hot honey — all of them work. I just love hot honey because it plays off the spices in the chicken and adds a little kick.
What else can I serve with chicken and waffles?
If you’re going the brunch route, eggs and grits make a solid combo. For lunch or dinner, think mac and cheese, creamed corn, collard greens, or even a simple coleslaw.
Is it possible to marinate the chicken for too long?
Yes. More than 4 hours in buttermilk and the chicken starts to get mushy. But 1–4 hours is the sweet spot — enough to tenderize and flavor without breaking the meat down too much.
This dish is bold, comforting, and a little indulgent — just the way Southern cooking should be. Perfect for a weekend brunch or a cozy dinner when you want to treat yourself and your people to something truly satisfying.
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