Classic Chicken and Waffles is the perfect mix if sweet and savory. I use a buttermilk waffle and boneless chicken topped with pure maple syrup.
Do you remember when this writer put Thomas Keller's fried chicken against The Pioneer Woman's? It's a funny article. And super interesting. To paraphrase, she made both of their recipes, exactly as written, and fed both versions to her family. And PW won! Her family loved PW's version more, while the writer favored Thomas Keller's.
Anyhow! The recipe below for fried chicken is an adaptation from PW's recipe, scaled down and adjusted to fit this serving size, basically.
Just a heads up, this recipe involves soaking the chicken in buttermilk overnight, so just be sure to keep that minimal-prep in mind.
This waffle recipe is a total classic. It yields a sort of crunchy-esque exterior and a soft, hydrated center. The fried chicken is moist on the inside and crispy and crunchy on the outside.
Classic Chicken 'n' waffles is all about opposites saying hello to each other in your mouth. There's the crunchy fried chicken and soft insides of the waffles; there's the savoriness from the chicken and the sweetness from the syrup.
It's a dreamy meal that I love to eat every so often when I'm in the mood to eat something happy.
How to Eat Chicken and Waffles:
The whole key to chicken and waffles is getting the salty and sweet together so I serve them together and top with pure maple syrup.Some people also top them with powdered sugar, but I like to stay at maple syrup. This recipe also uses boneless chicken to it makes eating the dish a lot easier!
Where did chicken and waffles originate?
Right here in the U.S! The Pennsylvania Dutch version and the Southern version. This is the Southern version where it's a waffle served with fried chicken and maple syrup. The Pennsylvania Dutch version is a waffle with stewed or braised chicken and gravy.
Tips and Tricks:
Make the fried chicken first. In the recipe below I've included directions as to how to keep them warm while you make the waffles.
Classic Chicken and Waffles Recipe
Ingredients
Tip: Make the fried chicken first. In the recipe below I've included directions as to how to keep them warm while you make the waffles.
Buttermilk Fried Chicken
The night before:
- 1 ½ cup buttermilk
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 3 chicken breasts cut into 3-inch pieces
The day of:
- Vegetable oil
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne
- 1 tablespoon buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon milk
Buttermilk Waffles
Dry:
- 1 ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons white granulated sugar
- 1 ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet:
- 1 ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 large egg
- 3 tablespoon vegetable oil
Instructions
Buttermilk Fried Chicken
- In a bowl, mix together the buttermilk and salt. Add the chicken tenders and mix, being sure the chicken is evenly coated with buttermilk. The chicken should be at least halfway submerged in the buttermilk so add more if you need to. Cover with plastic wrap and transfer to the refrigerator overnight or for a minimum of 3 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F. Remove the bowl of chicken and allow to sit on the counter while you prepare everything. You don't want the chicken freezing cold.
- To a medium pot or cast iron, add enough oil so it reaches 1 ½-inches up the pot's side. Heat the oil to 325 degrees F to 350 degrees F. While the oil is heating up, mix together the flour, salt, pepper, thyme, paprika and cayenne. In a super small bowl, mix together the buttermilk and milk; add it to the flour mixture and mix. (This will make the flour mixture a little shaggy which will help with the crispiness.)
- Prepare for a double-dredge! Working in an assembly-type fashion, thoroughly coat each buttermilk-soaked chicken tender with the breading. Re-dip it in the buttermilk and coat it one more time with the flour mixture, pressing to adhere the breading to the chicken tender. Add the chicken to the oil 3 pieces at a time. Allow to fry for 2-3 minutes and until golden brown. Remove and drain on a paper towel. Transfer the fried chicken to a baking sheet and place in the oven to keep warm while you make the waffles.
Adapted from PW's famous Fried Chicken
Buttermilk Waffles
- In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt; set aside. To a measuring cup or a small bowl, measure out the buttermilk. Next, add the egg and vegetable oil; beat until completely combined.
- Since each waffle iron is different, add the recommended amount of batter to the iron per your manufacture's recommendation. Close the iron top and cook until the waffle is medium golden brown. Transfer the cooked waffle to a 200 degree F and repeat until you've cooked through the batter.
- Serve each waffle with a few pieces of chicken. Garnish with a pat of butter and a heavy drizzle of syrup, if you like.
Notes
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe? Let me know on Instagram!
Looking for other chicken recipes? Here are some of my favorites:
Jenny says
Das Rezept finde ich Super interessant. Werd ich mal ausprobieren.
Liebe Grüße,
Jenny
Bernadette @ Now Stir It Up says
I have been looking for "the" fried chicken recipe. Mixing some buttermilk into the flour mixture makes sense. Chicken and waffles is the perfect odd couple.
Sandra says
LOVE Love LOVE Chicken and Waffles. Love it so much that it's one of the main courses being served at my wedding in August 🙂 This recipe looks great, I'll have to try it very soon!
You do make happy food - I especially love all your Peruvian recipes. My fiance is obsessed with your Aguadito recipe. I make it every time I have a sad bunch of cilantro in the fridge!
Arthur in the Garden! says
Beautiful! And now I am hungry! 🙂
Jayne says
Fried Chicken and waffles? What? I've never had that combination cos waffles to me are meant to be sweet and breakfast-y but whoa! I'm going to have to invest in a waffle iron just to try this out. Like STAT.
Maria | My So-Called Vegetarian Life says
Wafflezzzz, yums. Also, when I saw the post's picture I was like, "another recipe that looks good but isn't diet-friendly" and then I saw the first line of your article!! Haha the waffle looks delicious but I'm looking forward to more vegan/vegetarian things 🙂
Christina says
This looks amazing! Thanks for sharing another delicious recipe!
Christina @ It's a Keeper
Lindsey says
chicken and waffles. that's what's up! but seriously those waffles look amazing.
Lin says
I have been hearing a lot about chicken and waffles, but have not tried them yet. This looks so yummy and I am adding it to my recipe files. It would be great if the pic printed along with the recipe. Thanks for sharing.
Eileen says
Never heard of chicken & waffles together. Sounds like a winning combo to me!
Amanda @ Once Upon a Recipe says
I have never had chicken and waffles before! I need to change this sad fact. Immediately.
loryn says
style!
Kasha the FarmGirl says
I think I may have to dig out the trusty waffle iron after reading this.... and the chicken looks SO GOOD!
RLT says
I bought this waffle maker this year too after using it at someone else's house. LOVE it. Deep belgium style waffles; it does the flip; and doesn't take as much room to store. Forget the timer, just follow your steam instructions. I found it at Target online.
Eileen says
When I first introduced my spouse to chicken and waffles, he could Not believe that it was actually a traditional combination. But man, what a great tradition! I haven't had any chicken and waffles in ages--it being so clearly a celebration meal--but I think I may have to manufacture an excuse to make some soon.