Introduction

Southern Fried Chicken and Waffles is a classic comfort food that combines crispy, flavorful fried chicken with warm, golden waffles. This delightful dish balances savory and sweet, making it perfect for brunch or a satisfying dinner.

A white plate holds a thick, golden-brown waffle with a crisp outside and soft inside as the base layer. On top of the waffle are several pieces of fried chicken, golden and crunchy with a textured, crispy coating. The chicken is drizzled with a shiny, amber-brown syrup that slightly flows over the waffle edges, adding a sticky glaze. The background is a white marbled texture, making the food stand out clearly. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
Oil for frying (vegetable or canola)
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1 3/4 cups milk
1/3 cup melted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup honey (or maple syrup)
4 tablespoons butter, melted
1-2 teaspoons hot sauce (adjust to taste)
Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the chicken by making a brine. In a large bowl, combine buttermilk, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper if using. Add the chicken thighs and marinate for at least 30 minutes or overnight in the refrigerator.
Step 2: Coat the chicken. In another bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour and cornstarch. Remove the chicken from the marinade and dredge each piece in the flour mixture, pressing lightly to adhere the coating.
Step 3: Fry the chicken. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Fry the coated chicken for 5 to 7 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F). Drain on paper towels.
Step 4: Prepare the waffle batter. In one bowl, whisk together 2 cups flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, whisk eggs, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Combine wet and dry ingredients until just mixed; do not overmix.
Step 5: Cook the waffles according to your waffle iron’s instructions until golden brown and crisp. Keep warm while preparing the sauce.
Step 6: Make the spicy honey butter sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together honey, melted butter, hot sauce, and a pinch of cayenne pepper if desired. Adjust the heat level to your taste.
Step 7: Assemble and serve. Place a waffle on each plate, top with a piece of fried chicken, and drizzle generously with the spicy honey butter sauce.

Tips & Variations

For extra crispy chicken, double dredge by dipping the chicken back into the buttermilk after the first flour coating and dredging again before frying.
Use chicken breasts if you prefer leaner meat, but thighs offer more juiciness and flavor.
Customize the heat level in the sauce by adjusting hot sauce and cayenne pepper quantities.
Try swapping honey for maple syrup in the sauce for a classic pairing.
Adding a pinch of smoked paprika to the waffle batter can add a subtle depth of flavor.

Storage

Store leftover fried chicken and waffles separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat chicken in the oven at 375°F for 10-15 minutes to retain crispiness. Waffles can be reheated in a toaster or oven until warm and crisp. Prepare the sauce fresh before serving again.

How to Serve

The image shows a close-up of a crispy golden-brown fried chicken piece placed on top of a light golden waffle with deep square patterns. The fried chicken has a rough crunchy texture with small irregular bits on the surface, and the waffle underneath is fluffy with visible pores and a smooth edge. Both are presented on a simple white plate with a white marbled surface in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?

Yes, but be sure to thaw the chicken completely before marinating to ensure even seasoning and proper cooking.

Can I make the waffles vegan or gluten-free?

For vegan waffles, replace eggs and milk with plant-based alternatives and use a suitable egg replacer. For gluten-free waffles, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and check your baking powder is gluten-free.

Southern Fried Chicken and Waffles with Spicy Honey Butter Sauce Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 129 reviews

This Southern Fried Chicken and Waffles recipe combines crispy, juicy fried chicken with golden, fluffy waffles, topped with a spicy honey butter sauce for a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and heat.

Author: Tara
Prep Time: 40 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Frying
Cuisine: Southern American

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken

4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
Oil for frying (vegetable or canola)

For the Waffles

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1 3/4 cups milk
1/3 cup melted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Spicy Honey Butter Sauce

1/2 cup honey (or maple syrup)
4 tablespoons butter, melted
1–2 teaspoons hot sauce (adjust to taste)
Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions

Brine the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine buttermilk, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper if using. Add the chicken thighs and marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight to tenderize and flavor the chicken.
Coat the Chicken: In another bowl, mix the all-purpose flour and cornstarch. Remove the chicken from the marinade and dredge each piece in the flour mixture, pressing lightly to coat thoroughly.
Fry the Chicken: Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the coated chicken pieces for 5-7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F. Drain the fried chicken on a paper towel-lined plate to remove excess oil.
Prepare the Waffle Batter: In a bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Combine the wet and dry ingredients gently until just mixed; do not overmix.
Cook the Waffles: Preheat your waffle iron and cook the batter according to the manufacturer’s instructions until the waffles are golden brown and crisp. Remove carefully and keep warm.
Make the Spicy Honey Butter Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together honey, melted butter, hot sauce, and a pinch of cayenne pepper. Adjust the spice level according to your preference.
Assemble and Serve: Place a waffle on each plate and top with a piece of fried chicken. Drizzle the spicy honey butter sauce generously over the chicken and waffles. Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.

Notes

Marinating the chicken overnight enhances flavor and tenderness.
Use a thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked safely to 165°F.
Adjust the cayenne and hot sauce to control the heat level of the dish.
For extra crispy chicken, you can double dredge by dipping back into the buttermilk before the flour mixture.
Leftover waffles can be reheated in a toaster or oven to maintain crispness.

Keywords: Southern fried chicken, waffles, fried chicken and waffles, brunch, comfort food, spicy honey butter sauce