Chicken and Waffles
A delightful dish that combines crispy fried chicken with fluffy waffles, perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Marinade
- 6 pieces boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce (optional)
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
For the Coating and Frying
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- vegetable oil (for deep frying) about 2–3 inches deep in pot or fryer
For the Honey Butter Sauce
- ½ cup honey (or maple syrup)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
- a pinch cayenne pepper (optional)
- a pinch kosher salt
For the Waffles
- best easy waffle recipe or your favorite waffle recipe
Garnish
- fresh thyme for garnish
Instructions
Preparation
- In a large bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, hot sauce (if using), and cayenne pepper. Submerge the chicken thighs in this mixture, making sure they’re fully coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight for best flavor.
- In another bowl, mix the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, garlic powder, paprika, kosher salt, and black pepper. Transfer this mixture to a shallow dish.
Frying the Chicken
- Fill a deep pot or fryer with vegetable oil, about 2–3 inches deep. Heat the oil to 350°F over medium-high heat.
- Take the marinated chicken out of the buttermilk and let the extra liquid drip off. Coat each piece in the seasoned flour, pressing firmly to stick. For extra crispiness, dip it back in the buttermilk, then into the flour again. Let the chicken rest on a wire rack for 5–10 minutes.
- Carefully lower the chicken into the hot oil, frying in batches. Cook for about 5–6 minutes on each side until golden brown. Make sure the chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165°F. Place the fried chicken on a wire rack to drain excess oil and lightly season with salt.
Making the Sauce
- In a small saucepan, combine honey (or maple syrup), melted butter, a pinch of cayenne pepper, and a pinch of salt. Heat gently until it simmers, then set aside.
Preparing the Waffles
- Prepare your waffles using your favorite recipe. Cook in a preheated waffle iron until golden brown, then let them cool on a wire rack to avoid sogginess.
Serving
- Start with a warm waffle on a plate, add a piece of fried chicken, drizzle generously with the honey sauce, and garnish with fresh thyme. Serve immediately for the best taste.
Notes
Let your chicken marinate for as long as possible for better flavor. Ensure the oil is at the right temperature before frying to prevent greasy chicken. Feel free to add your favorite spices to the flour mixture for extra flavor. Serve with a side of coleslaw or a simple salad for a balanced meal. You can switch things up by using chicken breasts instead of thighs, or try a different hot sauce to adjust the spice level. You could even experiment with flavored waffles, like adding chocolate chips or blueberries.