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Close-up of crispy fried chicken drizzled with spicy syrup, served alongside a golden waffle on a white plate.

Classic Chicken and Waffles Recipe

This guide shows you how to prepare the crispiest fried chicken and pair it with fluffy waffles for a delicious and satisfying meal. It covers essential steps like marinating the chicken in buttermilk, creating a perfectly seasoned batter, and frying for golden, crunchy perfection. You'll also find tips for making light, flavorful waffles and suggestions for classic and creative toppings like maple syrup, hot sauce, or fresh fruit. Whether for brunch or dinner, this recipe is a crowd-pleaser!
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Prep Time 4 hours 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 4 hours 45 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 700
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • Chicken cuts: 4-6 pieces thighs, drumsticks, or breasts – skin-on and bone-in preferred
  • Buttermilk: 2 cups for marinating the chicken
  • Seasoning blend:
  • o 1 teaspoon salt
  • o 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • o 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • o 1 teaspoon paprika smoked or regular
  • o 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional, for heat
  • o 1 teaspoon dried thyme or oregano
  • Flour for coating: 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • Cornstarch: 1/4 cup optional, for extra crispiness
  • Oil for frying: Vegetable oil canola oil, or peanut oil (enough for deep frying)
For the Waffles
Dry ingredients:
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet ingredients:
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 3/4 cups buttermilk or plant-based buttermilk alternative for vegan options
  • 1/3 cup melted unsalted butter or vegetable oil for dairy-free
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional gluten-free swap
  • Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.
For the Toppings
Classic Choices:
  • Maple syrup
  • Unsalted butter
Savory Additions:
  • Hot sauce like Tabasco or Frank’s RedHot
  • Gravy make chicken or sausage gravy if desired
Creative Toppings:
  • Fresh fruit: Strawberries blueberries, or bananas
  • Whipped cream dairy or coconut-based for a vegan option
  • Honey or agave syrup
  • Chopped nuts: Pecans or walnuts
  • Chocolate chips or shavings
  • A sprinkle of powdered sugar optional

Method
 

Marinating the Chicken
  1. Why: Buttermilk tenderizes the chicken and infuses it with flavor.
  2. How: Combine 2 cups of buttermilk with your seasoning blend (salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, etc.) in a large bowl. Dip 4-6 chicken pieces, cover, and refrigerate for not less than 4 hours or up to overnight.
Perfecting the Fried Chicken Batter
  1. Crunchy Coating Ingredients: Mix 2 cups of flour, 1/4 cup cornstarch, and spices (e.g., paprika, cayenne, garlic powder) in a shallow dish.
  2. Even Breading Tips: Remove chicken from the marinade, allowing excess to drip off. Dredge each piece in the flour mixture, pressing firmly to coat evenly. Let breaded chicken rest for 10-15 minutes to set the coating.
Frying Tips for Golden, Crispy Chicken
  1. Oil and Temperature: Use vegetable or peanut oil, heated to 350°F (175°C) in a deep skillet or fryer. Ensure the oil level covers the chicken pieces halfway.
  2. Avoid Sogginess: Fry chicken in small batches to maintain oil temperature. Cook for 12-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. You will have to drain it on a wire rack instead of draining it using paper towels, therefore you will guarantee its crispiness.