Southern Fried Chicken & Waffles Recipe

Thischicken and waffles recipecombines crispy, buttermilk-fried chicken with fluffy, golden waffles for the ultimate comfort food mashup. A drizzle of maple syrup brings everything together for a perfect blend of sweet and savory that’ll make your morning unforgettable.

Sweet and fluffy buttermilk waffles might not be the first thing you think of topair with juicy and crispy fried chicken,but boy oh boy it is a match made in heaven! Thecrunchy, salty exterior of the fried chicken contrasts perfectlyagainst the fluffy sweetness of a freshly made waffle to create a dish that is50% lunch, 50% breakfast, and 100% delicious!

A steaming plate full offreshly fried chicken and buttermilk wafflespairs well with all of your favorite breakfast side dishes! Plate this dish up with somehashbrowns, bacon, fresh fruit, or a yogurt parfait.You can even go full-southern-style and pair this dish withhome fries, biscuits and gravy, or fried okra!

Why You’ll Love This Chicken And Waffles Recipe

• Simple Ingredients: Everything you need is probably already in your pantry,from basic waffle mix to common chicken seasonings– no fancy ingredients required.
• Sweet & Savory:The combination offluffy waffles with savory fried chickencreates a delightful flavor contrast. Drizzle with maple syrup for the perfect balance of sweet and salty.
• Crispy & Juicy:The chicken isperfectly fried to a golden crisp while staying tender and juicy inside.Every bite delivers a satisfying crunch followed by succulent, flavorful meat.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dish:It’s a classic comfort food that’s sure toimpress family and friends at any gathering. Whether it’s brunch or dinner, this dish always brings smiles to the table.

🧇 If you haven’t triedwaffles with chilli,you’re missing out—my family practically races to the table when they smell them cooking!

Recipe Ingredients

• Chicken Breasts —or chicken tenderloins
• All-Purpose Flour
• Buttermilk
• Egg
• Salted Butter
• Brown Sugar
• Baking Soda
• Baking Powder
• Salt
• Paprika
• Canola Oil —for frying the chicken

See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.

How to Make Southern Fried Chicken and Waffles Recipe

Step 1:Marinate the chicken in half of the buttermilk for a few minutes.

Step 2:In a large zip-top bag, combine half of the flour, the paprika, and the salt. Add the marinated chicken to the bag and shake until thoroughly coated in the flour mixture.

Step 3:Fry the chicken until golden brown, juicy, and no longer pink in the middle. Set aside.

Step 4:In a mixing bowl, whisk together the remaining buttermilk, egg, and melted butter.

Step 5:Add the remaining flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and baking soda and mix until just combined.

Step 6:Cook the batter in a prepared waffle iron until golden brown and slightly crispy. Serve the fried chicken over the waffles, top with maple syrup, and enjoy!

Recipe FAQs

Expert Tips

• Prep Ahead:Although this recipe is quick to make,it takes a lot of back and forth in the kitchen.To prevent any mistakes, be sure to have all your ingredients measured out and ready to go before you start cooking.
• Oil For Frying:If you don’t have any canola oil, you can fry your chicken in another high-heat oil.Vegetable oil, coconut oil, and avocado oil are the best substitutes.
• Simple Flavor:Don’t be tempted to addtoo many spices to your fried chicken. Keeping the flavor profile simple will help to not overwhelm the dish. You want thetangy and sweet notes of the waffle to shine throughand complement the other savory flavors.
• Double Dip:After coating the chicken in flour,dip it back into the buttermilk mixture and then into the flour again.This double-dredging technique creates an extra-thick, crispy crust that holds up beautifully.
• Butter vs Spray:Brush your waffle iron withmelted butter instead of cooking spray. This creates amore even golden-brown color and adds an extra layer of richnessto your waffles. Just be sure to wipe out any excess butter to prevent smoking.

Storing and Reheating Tips

Although this southern fried chicken and wafflesisn’t the best reheated, the leftovers can still be saved in an airtight container in the fridgefor up to 5 days.

Freeze the fried chicken and waffles separately for the best results.Avoid freezing them assembled to prevent sogginess.Let both cool completely, then store in airtight containers or freezer bags with parchment paper between layers. Thechicken and waffles can befrozen for up to 2-3 months.

You can reheat the chicken in the air fryer or the microwave while you pop the chilled waffles into the toaster.

My Family’s Favorite Waffle Recipes

When it comes to breakfast, these waffle recipes are always a hit in my house—each one brings its own special twist that keeps everyone coming back for more! Here are our absolute favorites that I know you’ll love too.

• Theclassic fluffy buttermilk waffle recipeis a must-try for that melt-in-your-mouth texture everyone loves.
• For a healthier option, thehealthy banana waffle recipeadds a sweet, nutritious twist that’s perfect for any morning.
• And if you’re craving something classic, theclassic Belgian waffle recipedelivers crispy edges and a fluffy center every time.

Other Delicious Waffle Recipes To Try

Did you make this recipe? Leave a⭐️review and share it onInstagram,Facebook, orPinterest!