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    You Are Here: Home → Breakfast

    Fried Chicken and Waffles

    September 5, 2020 | Updated February 28, 2021 by Ryan Leave a Comment

    341 shares
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    overhead shot of fried chicken and waffles on grey plate
    two pieces of fried chicken on bacon cheddar waffle

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure.

    This fried chicken and waffles with hot maple syrup is turned up a notch with bacon and cheddar waffles, making it hard to top.

    two pieces of fried chicken on bacon cheddar waffle

    By this point you've probably caught onto the chicken and waffles trend. But I imagine it has just been standard old waffles - not bacon and cheddar waffles!

    I remember the first time I ever had fried chicken and waffles. It was at this hole-in-the-wall breakfast spot in Jacksonville called Metro Diner. They gave you a whole half chicken with a waffle and hot maple syrup.

    Now since first trying it back in 2010, Metro Diner has expanded quite a bit and is even in Delaware now! But since first trying it, I've seen chicken and waffles pop up everywhere.

    And if it is on the menu, I can guarantee you I'm trying it. I mean what is not to like. Everyone loves fried chicken right? And waffles are pretty dang good on their own. So why not combine them?

    This recipe consists of chicken tenderloins that have been soaked in buttermilk to keep them juicy and then fried to perfect. But what puts them over the top is the waffles that are loaded with cheese, bacon and scallions.

    So if you want to create your own chicken and waffles recipe, I suggest giving this one a try!

    Jump to:
    • Recipe Ingredients
    • How to Make Fried Chicken
    • How to Make Waffles
    • Best Waffle
    • Best Oil for Frying
    • Reheating Fried Chicken
    • FAQs
    • Pro Tips/Recipe Notes
    • Other Breakfast Recipes
    • Fried Chicken and Waffles
    overhead shot of fried chicken and waffles on grey plate

    Recipe Ingredients

    • Chicken tenderloins - can also use chicken breasts or thighs.
    • Buttermilk - helps tenderize the chicken and reacts with the baking powder to create a rise in the waffles.
    • Eggs - binds everything together.
    • Hot sauce - adds a little flavor to the buttermilk brine.
    • All-purpose flour - coats the chicken and is the main base for the waffles.
    • Baking powder - helps the waffles rise.
    • Salt, paprika, garlic powder, black pepper - adds flavor to the friend chicken.
    • Maple syrup - mixed with some hot sauce to go over top the chicken.
    • Granulated sugar - adds a slight sweetness.
    • Unsalted butter - can replace with bacon fat or oil.
    • Bacon - can never go wrong with bacon plus you use the fat.
    • Sharp cheddar cheese - or use your favorite cheese here.
    • Scallions - the mild onion flavor complements everything perfectly.
    • Canola oil - can also use vegetable oil for frying.

    How to Make Fried Chicken

    1. In a large bowl, whisk together buttermilk, eggs and hot sauce. Add chicken and toss to coat. Cover and place for 30 minutes.
    2. In medium bowl, add flour, baking powder and spices. Whisk until blended and then add 2 tablespoon buttermilk so the mixture is clumpy.
    3. Remove chicken from marinade and dredge in flour mixture.
    4. Set aside on baking sheet for 5 minutes.
    5. Fill cast iron skillet with oil about ¾" deep. Heat to 350°F. Working in batches, fry each piece of chicken about 2-3 minutes
    6. Flip and cook for another 2-3 minutes or until cooked through.
    process shots of how to make fried chicken

    How to Make Waffles

    1. In a large bowl, add the flour, sugar, salt and baking powder and mix together.
    2. In another bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, buttermilk, butter and bacon fat.
    3. Beat egg whites in medium bowl until stiff peaks form.
    4. Pour the egg yolk mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Add the bacon, cheese and scallions. Gently fold in the egg whites until just combined.
    5. Preheat waffle iron and spray with cooking spray. Add 1 cup waffle mixture and cook according to waffle iron’s instructions.
    6. Place waffle in 200°F oven to keep warm while cooking remaining waffles.
    process shots of how to make waffles

    Best Waffle

    I'm off the opinion that Belgian waffles are best with fried chicken. Belgian waffles are thicker and than regular waffles because they are made with a deeper grid waffle iron. Because of that they are lighter but also crispy.

    However you really can use whatever batter you want in either type of waffle maker and it will work.

    These waffles were actually made in Belgian waffle maker and turned out great!

    Best Oil for Frying

    You want an oil that has a high smoke point and is neutral in flavor so canola or vegetable oil work best.

    If you want a little flavor and aren't allergic, peanut oil is a great option as well.

    Reheating Fried Chicken

    There is an art to reheating fried chicken so it stays crispy. You can't just throw it in the microwave.

    Preheat the oven to 400°F and pull out the chicken from the fridge. Fit a wire rack inside a baking sheet and place chicken on top. Bake for 15 minutes, or until the skin feels hot and crisp.

    Do NOT cover with aluminum foil as you will steam the chicken.

    You can also throw the waffles in at the same time to reheat them.

    FAQs

    What If I Don't Have Buttermilk?

    If you don’t have buttermilk you can easily make it at home. Simply add 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to 1 cup of milk. Let stand at room temperature for 10 minutes and it’s ready.

    Do I Have to Soak the Chicken in the Buttermilk?

    You don't HAVE to, but it is important and acts as a brine. The buttermilk helps break down the chicken to make it juicer and helps the breading stick.

    What is the Best Temperature for Frying?

    350°F is the best temperature. However it is important to not overcrowd the skillet with the chicken or you will lower the temperature of the oil and not get crispy skin.

    How Do I Keep Everything Warm While Making the Chicken and Waffles?

    Use the oven at 200°F to keep the waffles and fried chicken warm while you are making everything in batches.

    Pro Tips/Recipe Notes

    • Soak the chicken in the buttermilk mixture for at least 30 minutes or overnight to get a tender piece of chicken.
    • After coating chicken in flour, let sit for 5 minutes on baking sheet so it adheres to the chicken.
    • Using a good waffle maker is half the battle. You will want a cast iron on non-stick model. If it has a done indicator, even better.
    • When making the waffles, do not overmix it. It is better to have some lumps than overmix or you will have a tough waffle.
    chicken in waffles on slate grey plate

    Other Breakfast Recipes

    • Copycat Chick-fil-A Chicken Biscuit
    • Chocolate Croissants
    • Corned Beef Hash
    • Breakfast Egg Rolls
    • Oreo Waffles
    • Savory Dutch Baby

    If you’ve tried these fried chicken and waffles recipe or any other recipe on Chisel & Fork, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below! You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube to see more tasty meals and anything else I'm up to.

    two pieces of fried chicken on bacon cheddar waffle
    Print Recipe
    5 from 1 vote

    Fried Chicken and Waffles

    Crispy fried chicken served over homemade bacon and cheddar waffles with hot maple syrup make this recipe a hard breakfast/brunch to top.
    Prep Time45 mins
    Cook Time15 mins
    Total Time1 hr
    Course: Breakfast
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 858kcal
    Author: Ryan Beck

    Ingredients

    Fried Chicken

    • 1 lb chicken tenderloins
    • 1 cup buttermilk
    • 2 eggs
    • 2 teaspoon hot sauce
    • 1 cup all-purpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ¾ teaspoon paprika
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • canola oil for frying

    Hot Maple Syrup

    • ¼ cup maple syrup
    • 2 tablespoon hot sauce

    Bacon Cheddar Waffles

    • 2 cups all-purpose flour
    • 2 tablespoon granulated sugar
    • 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 3 eggs, yolks and whites separated
    • 2 cups cold buttermilk
    • 2 tablespoon unsalted butter
    • 1 tablespoon bacon fat
    • 8 oz crumbled bacon
    • 6 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
    • 5 scallions diced
    • non-stick cooking spray

    Instructions

    Fried Chicken

    • In a large bowl, whisk together buttermilk, eggs and hot sauce. Add chicken and toss to coat. Cover and place for 30 minutes.
    • In medium bowl, add flour, baking powder, salt, paprika, garlic powder and black pepper. Whisk until blended.
    • Remove chicken from marinade and dredge in flour mixture. Set aside on baking sheet for 5 minutes.
    • Fill cast iron skillet with oil about ¾" deep. Heat to 350°F. Working in batches, fry each piece of chicken about 3-4 minutes per side or until cooked through. Place chicken on baking sheet and keep warm in the oven.

    Hot Maple Syrup

    • Mix together maple syrup and hot sauce in small bowl and set aside.

    Bacon Cheddar Waffles

    • Preheat oven to 400°F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper. Place bacon on parchment sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until crispy. Set on paper towel-lined plate and reserve bacon fat.
    • Reduce oven to 200°F. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt and baking powder. In another bowl, whisk to combine the egg yolks, buttermilk, butter and bacon fat. Set aside.
    • In a medium bowl, use a hand mixer to whip the egg whites to soft peaks. Set aside.
    • Pour the egg yolk mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until almost combined. Add the bacon, cheese and scallions and fold in. Finally, gently fold in the egg whites until just combined.
    • Preheat a waffle iron and spray with non-stick cooking spray. Add 1 cup of waffle mixture  and cook to waffle iron's instructions. (About 5 minutes for me). When waffle is done place on wire rack in oven to keep warm. Repeat with remaining batter. Serve with fried chicken and hot maple syrup.

    Notes

    • Soak the chicken in the buttermilk mixture for at least 30 minutes or overnight to get a tender piece of chicken.
    • After coating chicken in flour, let sit for 5 minutes on baking sheet so it adheres to the chicken.
    • Don't overcrowd the skillet with chicken or you will lower the temperature of the oil and not get crispy skin.
    • Using a good waffle maker is half the battle. You will want a cast iron on non-stick model. If it has a done indicator, even better.
    • When making the waffles, do not overmix it. It is better to have some lumps than overmix or you will have a tough waffle.
    • Use the oven at 200°F to keep the waffles and fried chicken warm while you are making everything in batches.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1g | Calories: 858kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 50g | Fat: 49g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 235mg | Sodium: 1254mg | Potassium: 214mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g
    Did You Try This Recipe?I love seeing what you make so mention @ChiselandFork or tag #chiselandfork on Instagram and please give a star rating below!
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    Hey there! Welcome to Chisel & Fork, a blog with tasty recipes and DIY projects. I'm Ryan and here you'll find hundreds of recipes ranging from true comfort food to vegan. Oh and if you like woodworking, you might just find your next inspiration. Read More About Chisel & Fork…

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