Southern US · Breakfast & brunch

Chicken and waffles

Name: Chicken and waffles
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 5 h 15 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Southern US
Ingredients: 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 12 pieces; 2 cups buttermilk; 2 teaspoons kosher salt for the chicken, divided; 2 teaspoons hot sauce; 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus 1 cup for waffles; 1/2 cup cornstarch; 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper; Neutral frying oil; 1/2 cup fine yellow cornmeal; 2 tablespoons granulated sugar; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt for the waffles; 2 large eggs, separated; 1 1/2 cups buttermilk for waffles; 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted; 1/2 cup honey; 1 tablespoon hot sauce for serving

Buttermilk-brined fried chicken over crisp cornmeal waffles with hot honey for a balanced sweet-salty finish.

About 5 hr 15 minTotal

About 1 hr 15 minActive

$$Cost

AdvancedDifficulty

Makes 6 servings

Equipment

Use a high-temperature instant-read thermometer between batches; do not leave it in the pot.
Simple clip-on pick
KitchenAid Fry Thermometer · KQ907
View at Amazon
For frequent frying and alarms
ThermoWorks ChefAlarm · TX-1100
View at ThermoWorks
Another workable path: Use a high-temperature instant-read thermometer between batches; do not leave it in the pot.
Paid links. As an Amazon Associate, Kwilt earns from qualifying purchases.
How we chose
Research-backed · reviewed Aug 2026
We compared continuous readability, clip stability, temperature recovery help, cleaning guidance, and exact model identity. A current independent comparison informed the simple clip-on choice; manufacturer documentation established care and the alarm system's included parts. Kwilt has not calibrated or fried with these thermometers.
KitchenAid Fry Thermometer · KQ907: Its curved paddle and silicone-coated clip stay close to the pot, giving you a continuous oil reading without another screen or battery. Trade-off: It has no alarm, and KitchenAid says to hand wash rather than submerge it.
ThermoWorks ChefAlarm · TX-1100: High and low alarms make the oil drop between batches hard to miss, and the same system can monitor roasting, bread, and candy. Trade-off: It costs substantially more and brings a cabled probe, case, and controls that are unnecessary for an occasional batch of fish tacos.
Another workable path: If you already own a suitable high-temperature instant-read thermometer, check the oil before and between batches. Do not leave it in the pot unless its maker allows continuous high-temperature use.
Sources
Food Network tested comparison
KitchenAid thermometer care
ThermoWorks ChefAlarm
Waffle iron

Ingredients

1× recipe · Makes 6 servings

2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 12 pieces
2 cups buttermilk
2 teaspoons kosher salt for the chicken, divided
2 teaspoons hot sauce
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus 1 cup for waffles
1/2 cup cornstarch
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Neutral frying oil
1/2 cup fine yellow cornmeal
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt for the waffles
2 large eggs, separated
1 1/2 cups buttermilk for waffles
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup honey
1 tablespoon hot sauce for serving

Instructions

Whisk 2 cups buttermilk with 1 teaspoon salt and 2 teaspoons hot sauce. Add chicken, cover, and refrigerate 4 to 12 hours.
Whisk 1 1/2 cups flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, cayenne, and remaining salt. Lift chicken from the brine, dredge firmly, and rest on a rack 10 minutes so the coating hydrates.
Heat 1 1/2 inches . Fry chicken in uncrowded batches, turning as needed, until deeply golden and 175°F in the thickest piece, 6 to 9 minutes. Drain on a rack and keep warm in a 225°F oven.
For waffles, whisk 1 cup flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Whisk egg yolks, 1 1/2 cups buttermilk, and butter; fold into dry ingredients.
Beat egg whites to soft peaks and fold into the batter. Cook in a fully heated waffle iron until steam slows and the waffles are crisp; hold separately on a rack.
Warm honey with 1 tablespoon hot sauce. Put two chicken pieces on each waffle and drizzle lightly just before serving.