Description

This Southern Fried Chicken and Waffles recipe is the ultimate comfort food—crispy, juicy fried chicken paired with fluffy golden waffles and drizzled with a spicy honey butter sauce. It’s sweet, savory, and indulgent, perfect for brunch, dinner, or any special occasion.

Ingredients

For the Fried Chicken:

4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)

1 cup buttermilk

1 tsp salt

1 tsp black pepper

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp paprika

1 tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)

1½ cups all-purpose flour

½ cup cornstarch

Oil for frying (vegetable or canola)

For the Waffles:

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tbsp sugar

1 tbsp baking powder

½ tsp salt

2 large eggs

1¾ cups milk

⅓ cup melted butter

1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Spicy Honey Butter Sauce:

½ cup honey (or maple syrup)

4 tbsp butter, melted

1–2 tsp hot sauce (to taste)

Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Brine the chicken: Combine buttermilk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and cayenne in a bowl. Add chicken and marinate for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
Coat and fry: Mix flour and cornstarch in a shallow bowl. Dredge chicken in flour mixture, then back into buttermilk and again in flour for extra crunch. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high and fry chicken 5–7 minutes per side until golden and cooked through (165°F). Drain on paper towels.
Make the waffles: In a bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, whisk eggs, milk, melted butter, and vanilla. Combine wet and dry ingredients and mix just until combined. Cook batter in a preheated waffle iron until golden and crisp.
Make the sauce: Whisk honey, melted butter, hot sauce, and cayenne together until smooth. Adjust spice to taste.
Assemble and serve: Stack a waffle on a plate, top with fried chicken, and drizzle with spicy honey butter. Serve immediately while warm.

Notes

Double-dip the chicken for an extra crispy crust.

Use buttermilk waffles for extra flavor and sturdiness.

Keep fried chicken warm in the oven while making waffles.

Adjust the honey butter sauce’s spice level to taste.

Serve with coleslaw or fruit salad for a balanced meal.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Fried and Baked
Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 720
Sugar: 18 g
Sodium: 920 mg
Fat: 40 g
Saturated Fat: 13 g
Unsaturated Fat: 25 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 55 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 35 g
Cholesterol: 155 mg