Chicken and waffles is a delicious fusion dish that originated in the 1600s. The original dish was made with plain waffles and stewed chicken, but Southern-style fried chicken is the popular choice these days. The delectable combination of savory chicken with sweet syrup has become a staple in soul food cuisine and is now enjoyed by people worldwide. The pairing of fried chicken with waffles is a natural choice, as the crispy exterior of the chicken and the soft, fluffy texture of the waffles complement each other perfectly.
The photos show bite-sized chicken and waffles perfect for a party or game-day gathering, but they can just as easily be made with larger pieces of fried chicken and large waffles for a family meal or brunch dish.
Chicken and waffles can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner and are a popular dish at many restaurants and cafes. It is also easy to make at home, and with a few simple ingredients, you can enjoy this soulful dish in the comfort of your kitchen.
You can make this celebrated dish even if you have no time to cook. Make the dish with your favorite frozen fried chicken nuggets and frozen waffles. It might be less tasty than a dish made with homemade waffles and fried chicken, but it will still be a crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re a fan of soul food or just looking for a delicious and satisfying meal, chicken and waffles will hit the spot.
How to Store Chicken and Waffles
- Wrap the completely cooled chicken and waffles in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or place them in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply reheat them in the oven or microwave until warm.
- To freeze fried chicken, arrange it on a baking sheet and put it in the freezer for about 1 hour. Once the chicken pieces are frozen, transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag. Label the bag or container with the name and date and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost frozen fried chicken in the fridge overnight.
- To reheat fried chicken, place it on a cooling rack set on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated 400 F oven for 8 to 12 minutes, until hot.
- To freeze waffles, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze. Once the waffles are frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag or airtight container. Label the container with the name and date and freeze the waffles for up to 3 months. Reheat frozen waffles in the toaster or oven.
Fried Chicken and Waffles
These yummy snack-sized chicken and waffle appetizers are a sure crowd pleaser! The combination of savory fried chicken and sweet waffles creates the perfect mouthful of flavor!
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 to 10 appetizer servings 1x
- Category: Chicken, Waffles, Snacks
- Method: Fry
- Cuisine: Southern
Ingredients
For the Fried Chicken Nuggets
- Oil for frying
- 3 boneless chicken breasts (about 1 1/2 pounds)
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce (such as Frank’s or Texas Pete)
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (plus more for sprinkling)
- 1/4 teaspoon rubbed sage
- dash ground thyme
For the Waffles
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (9 ounces)
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 3/4 cups milk
- 1/2 cup melted butter
Instructions
For the Chicken
- Heat about 1/2 inch of cooking oil in a large skillet to 350 F.
- Slice the chicken breasts in half crosswise and then cut each cutlet into 1-inch to 2-inch pieces—or leave the cutlets whole for meal-size portions.
- Add the buttermilk to a shallow bowl and add hot sauce, if desired.
- In another bowl, combine the 1 1/2 cups of flour, the pepper, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, sage, and thyme. Mix well.
- Dip the chicken pieces in the flour mixture, then in the buttermilk, and then dip in the flour mixture again to coat.
- When the oil reaches 350 F, add several chicken pieces. Fry for about 3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Remove the fried chicken pieces to paper towels to drain.
- Transfer the chicken to the rack and keep them warm in the 200 F oven, if desired.
For the Waffles
- Spray the waffle iron lightly with nonstick cooking spray, if necessary, then preheat.
- In a medium bowl, combine the 2 cups of flour, baking powder, sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk the eggs until fluffy; add the milk and melted butter and whisk until smooth.
- Add the dry ingredients to the milk and egg mixture and beat until smooth.
- Add about 1/2 to 2/3 cup of the batter to the waffle iron for each waffle—see the manufacturer’s instructions for exact amounts.
- Bake the waffles in the waffle iron for about 5 minutes, or until they stop steaming.
- Keep the waffles warm in the preheated 200 F oven while making more batches.
- Serve the chicken on the waffles with maple syrup or cut the waffles into quarters to make bite-size appetizer chicken and waffles.