Chicken and Waffles Recipe: Southern Soul Food Style
Video Recipe: Learn how to make the BEST Chicken and waffles!
“Hot, crunchy, seasoned fried chicken on top of homemade buttermilk waffles and drenched in buttery maple syrup!
This week my hubby and I sat down to plan our cross-country road trip next year. It’s something we’ve wanted to do with our boys for a long time. I’ve always thought it would be so cool to visit all the places in the States that we’ve been studying in homeschool so that is our plan.
We all have our own bucket list items that we want to accomplish on this trip. My husband and boys have some pretty cool things to tackle like learning to ski in Big Bear and playing in the Red Wood Forest. Me, however,…well my bucket list includes things like eating pie in Pie Town and devouring several Pinks hot dogs! Yeah…eating food is pretty much what I want to experience in life! I was able to mark “eat at Roscoes Chicken & Waffles” off the list a few years ago and I’m ready to knock out more!
As I was discussing my food bucket list, my youngest son asked what chicken and waffles tasted like? Oh, bless it! I can’t believe I’ve let this poor child go through life without experiencing the simple joy of combining spicy chicken, sweet maple syrup, and fluffy buttermilk waffles.
That was about to change! I was so excited to make this for him! Hopefully, my version will be his favorite from now on!
What do chicken and waffles taste like?
If you like chicken, waffles, and syrup by themselves, then chances are you’ll love them all together as a meal! What makes chicken and waffles so magical is the salty, spicy crunch of the fried chicken, paired with the sweetness of the buttery maple syrup and that fluffy buttermilk waffles as the base. It’s a beautiful thing and the flavors and texture are gonna make your mouth real happy!
Is Chicken & Waffles a “black thing”?
This question is one of the most asked questions about chicken and waffles on google. These days, combining chicken with waffles may be considered more of a Southern thing that is common in Soul Food cooking. However, growing up from the South and still living here, I didn’t grow up on chicken and waffles. This dish has been lumped into the Soul food category which is one of the many cooking styles under the “Southern Cooking” umbrella. To learn more about the rich and complicated history of Southern Cooking read my hub page here!
The History: Where did chicken and waffles originate?
Who invented chicken and waffles? It’s certainly a unique pairing that leaves you wondering where the heck did this combination actually come from. The exact origins seem to be quite a mystery. Some historians believe this dish is a Pennsylvania Dutch thing, while others believe this dish originated from the Southern slaves. Eventually making its way to the African-American community in Harlem, New York. Read more about the complicated history of chicken and waffles.
What part of the chicken to use?
You can use boneless or bone-in chicken pieces. If you prefer dark meat go with legs or wings! We prefer to use chicken tenders since they cook quickly and can be cut easily with a fork. Whether you use chicken breast or chicken thighs, the chicken for this meal should be well-seasoned and slightly on the salty side to pair well with the sweet syrup! This chicken recipe starts with salt water brine that now only tenderizes the chicken but also adds flavor. Simple seasonings of cajun seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, parsley, black pepper, and salt add nice flavor without having to empty out the entire spice cabinet.
Belgian waffles or classic buttermilk waffles?
Many folks swear by Belgian waffles being the best type of waffles for chicken and waffles. I however love a good ol’ classic style waffle! This classic buttermilk waffles recipe uses egg whites beaten to stiff peaks in the batter just like Belgian waffles. So you still get that delicious fluffiness but without all the thickness. They cook up golden and crisp on the outside and so fluffy and on the inside. It’s the only waffle recipe I can eat reheated and really hold up to that syrup without becoming soggy! I purchased this classic waffle iron on Amazon and have loved it ever since!
Do you put syrup on chicken and waffles?
Absolutely! And this is where the magic happens! When that buttery maple syrup drenches that hot spicy chicken and buttermilk waffles the dish comes to life! You can use my recipe for homemade maple syrup if you want pure bliss! It’s thick, sweet, and full of buttery maple flavor! My favorite store-bought brand is Log Cabin.
How To Make Homemade Butter Maple Syrup
There is nothing like homemade syrup! This is the butter maple syrup recipe I grew up on and it’s still a favorite. Check it out the recipe here + video!
Who sells Chicken and Waffles?
Want to try chicken and waffles in a restaurant before making it a home? Simply google “Chicken and waffles near me” and Google will give you a list of where it’s being served. I’ve noticed that this dish tends to come and go on menus. Of course, if you’re desperate for a fix, you could just make some Ego waffles, frozen chicken tenders, and drown it in Log Cabin syrup! However, to that, I would offer my understanding & sympathy, because that is definitely not the way to enjoy this dish. But sometimes ya gotta do what ya gotta do! Play on playa!
FAQs
What goes well with chicken and waffles? Chicken and waffles in a complete meal on their own and don’t need any side dishes! It can be served for breakfast, lunch, or dinner! If you prefer a side dish if serving for breakfast pair it up with a bowl of fresh fruit or buttery grits on the side. If serving for lunch or dinner, savory collard greens makes a wonderful side. Don’t forget the hot sauce!
Happy chicken and waffle making!
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Waffles | Southern Soul Food Recipe
Ingredients
BRINE
- 1 lb chicken tenderloin
- 4 cups water
- ¼ cup kosher salt
Chicken Tenders
- 1¼ cup self-rising flour
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1½ teaspoon sea salt or seasoned salt
- 1 teaspoon cajun seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon parsley
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup buttermilk
- ¼ cup water
- ½ tablespoon fresh parsley
Buttermilk Waffles
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 2-3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup whole milk
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 2 eggs, divided (yolks & whites separated)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup canola oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- softened butter, for brushing
- Maple syrup
Instructions
Brine the Chicken
- Add water and salt to a large bowl and stir until the salt has dissolved.
- Add the chicken, cover, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Drain and dry off the chicken with paper towels and set aside until ready to use.
Prepare the chicken
- In a large bowl or shallow dish, whisk together flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, salt, cajun seasoning, black pepper, paprika, and dried parsley.
- Remove ½ cup of the flour mixture and place it into another large bowl or shallow dish.
- To this bowl, mix in egg, buttermilk, and water until the mixture looks like a batter.
- To coat the chicken, first, dip it into the dry flour mixture and coat lightly.
- Next dip it onto the batter mixture, coating completely and letting the excess drip off.
- Next, place the chicken back into the dry flour mixture and coat completely.
- Place the chicken on a wire rack and when all of them have been coated, recoat each one again in the dry flour only.
- Heat oil to 350 F. and fry each tender until golden and cooked through.
- Place chicken on a wire rack over a baking sheet to drain. Immediately sprinkle with fresh parsley.
- Place chicken into a 250 F. oven to keep it warm while you prepare the waffles.
Make The Waffles
- In a large bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, sugar salt.
- Make a well in the center of the bowl and add whole milk, buttermilk, egg yolks, melted butter, oil, and vanilla extract.
- Stir together using a rubber spatula just until combined. (batter should be a little lumpy)
- Place egg whites into a large bowl and mix until they are firm and can hold stiff peaks.
- Gently fold the egg whites into the batter until combined. Let batter rest while the waffle iron is heating.
- Cooked the waffles according to your waffle irons instructions.
- When waffles are done place them on a wire rack (do not stack) and immediately brush them with softened butter
- Immediately plate the waffles and top with the chicken. Add a generous amount of syrup and serve immediately.
Absolutely delicious! The chicken cooked up perfectly and the waffles were perfect. I love doing recipes and this will definitely be my go-to!
Thank you for some clarification. I’m 70, grew up in Florida, never heard of chicken and waffles until the last few decades. I assumed it was a dish developed in diner-styled eateries, especially for younger Black patrons. My mother was a Wisconsin native, she did a pretty good job learning to cook Southern, but she was also fairly rigid. I remember when the first Kentucky Fried Chicken place opened, it was SO good. They served little packets of honey to spread over the chicken and biscuits, delicious, Mother was horrified and made me toss the honey on later visits. Yeah, rigid.
I love to know which waffle maker you ordered from Amazon.
I’ve been a fan of yours for a few years and just simply adore you!
Thank you for all you do.
Thank you! Sadly I’m not seeing it on Amazon anymore. It’s the Black & Decker 3 in 1.
This was really a treat! Thank you for sharing. For some reason I couldn’t get my egg whites to foam up, don’t know why? Any pointers? Those waffles were delicious either way and I will be adding this to our breakfast recipe.
Hmmmm…were you careful not to get any egg yolk in there? Sometimes that can prevent the whites from whipping up. Or if the eggs are really cold. Also, make sure that the bowl you’re whipping in is super clean with no grease.
Thank you! Im pretty certain one of those things were the culprit! I just wanted to let you know tomorrow I’m going to be trying your spicy fried chicken for my husband. He is so excited…me….I’m terrified! Every time I make fried chicken it looks good on the outside and bloody on the inside, it embarrassing. Watching your videos has given me the confidence to try again so pray for me!! Lol