Southern Fried Chicken & Waffles – Sweet, Spicy, and Soulful 🍗🧇🍯
Comfort food has a beautiful way of capturing our fondest memories, doesn’t it? Every crispy bite, fluffy forkful, and sweet-spicy drizzle has the power to transport us back to the kitchen tables and cozy mornings we cherish most. And trust me—Southern Fried Chicken & Waffles with spicy honey butter sauce holds a special place in my English chef’s heart (and belly!).
Crispy golden chicken served atop fluffy waffles and tied beautifully together with that glorious sweet-spicy-honey butter drizzle—it’s foodie heaven! Ready to experience comfort food magic? Let’s dive right in!
Southern Fried Chicken & Waffles
Why Southern Fried Chicken & Waffles Are the Ultimate Comfort Combo 🥰
Whoever first paired savory fried chicken with sweet waffles—thank you, genius stranger! There’s something insanely magical about this sweet-and-savory combo. It’s crunchy-meets-soft, flaky-meets-fluffy, spicy-meets-sweet perfection.
This dish always brings me back to lazy, laughter-filled Sunday brunches at my cousin’s house. Family music playlists filled the air, sizzling pans and clicking waffle irons created the soundtrack, and we eagerly piled our plates high. Amid heaps of golden waffles and crispy, juicy chicken, homemade spicy honey butter sauce was generously passed around. Those brunches nourished not just our stomachs, but our souls.
These memories inspired me to recreate my favorite Southern favorite at home and improve it through years of culinary trial-and-error (yum!)—and now I’m beyond excited to share my deliciously perfected recipe with you!
👩🍳Ingredients You’ll Need (Serves 4):
Let’s gather our ingredients and get cooking!
For the Fried Chicken:
– 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (breasts work great too)
– 1 cup buttermilk
– 1 tsp salt
– 1 tsp black pepper
– 1 tsp garlic powder
– 1 tsp paprika
– 1 tsp cayenne pepper (optional, if you love some heat!)
– 1½ cups all-purpose flour
– ½ cup cornstarch (the secret for EXTRA crispiness!)
– Oil for frying (vegetable or canola work perfectly)
For the Fluffy Waffles:
– 2 cups all-purpose flour
– 2 tbsp sugar
– 1 tbsp baking powder
– ½ tsp salt
– 2 large eggs
– 1¾ cups milk
– â…“ cup melted butter
– 1 tsp vanilla extract (a touch of cozy warmth)
For the Spicy Honey Butter Sauce That Ties It All Together:
– ½ cup honey (maple syrup is also heavenly!)
– 4 tbsp melted butter
– 1–2 tsp hot sauce (your choice!)
– A pinch of cayenne pepper (optional kick)
🔥Step-by-Step Instructions: Let’s Cook!
Don’t be intimidated—this soulful comfort dish is easier than you think. Pour yourself a tasty beverage, turn on your favorite kitchen tunes, and let’s make some magic!
Step 1: Marinate that Chicken!
Combine the buttermilk with salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Toss your chicken thighs in this delicious marinade. Let them soak for at least 30 minutes, or if you’re planning ahead, overnight in the fridge makes them extra tender and flavorful.
Step 2: Fry the Chicken to Golden Crispy Perfection
In your frying pan, add enough oil to comfortably fry (roughly 1-2 inches deep). Heat oil over medium-high heat (around 350°F if using a thermometer).
Mix your flour and cornstarch in a separate bowl. Taking one piece at a time, dredge chicken thighs thoroughly, pressing gently so you’ve completely coated each piece. Gently lower chicken into the oil and cook 5–7 minutes each side until beautifully golden and cooked through.
Once golden perfection is achieved, rest your crunchy chicken thighs on a paper towel-lined plate.
Step 3: Let’s Whip Up Some Fluffy, Golden Waffles
Fire up that waffle iron! In one bowl, whisk together your dry ingredients—flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract together.
Combine your wet ingredients with the dry and stir gently—just until combined. Don’t overmix, so you’ll ensure those fluffy waffles we crave!
Pour batter into the preheated waffle iron and cook until golden crisp. Keep cooked waffles warm by placing them on a baking tray in the oven on low heat until you’re ready to serve.
Step 4: Make That Irresistible Spicy Honey Butter Sauce!
Here’s where the magic happens: whisk honey, melted butter, hot sauce, and cayenne pepper together. Adjust the spice according to your heat preference. Taste (yum!) and adjust until you have your perfect sweet-and-spicy balance.
Step 5: The Delicious Finale—Assemble your Chicken & Waffles!
Time for the best part! Plate each waffle, set a beautifully crispy fried chicken thigh right on top, and drizzle generously with your irresistible spicy honey butter sauce. Top it with a bit more honey sauce for luck (trust me, you’ll thank yourself!).
🍽️ Serving Suggestions & Pro Tips:
– Garnish with green onions, chopped parsley, or a sprinkle of powdered sugar.
– Serve alongside fresh fruit, creamy scrambled eggs, or crispy bacon for a full brunch-style spread.
– If you like EXTRA spice, drizzle with more hot sauce on top. You do you—it’s your brunch (or dinner, wink)!
– No waffles maker? That’s okay, pancakes work amazing as well!
🙌 Pro Chef Tips:
– Don’t rush frying chicken! Ensuring it reaches 165°F internal temperature keeps it juicy inside while crispy outside.
– Preheat oven at about 200°F—place fried chicken pieces on an oven-warmed baking sheet to keep warm while making waffles.
– To get your waffles extra fluffy, don’t overmix batter. It’s perfectly fine to see tiny lumps!
🍽️ Nutritional Information and Prep:
– Time Required: About 45 minutes (plus marinating)
– Approximate Calories: ~600 per serving
– Protein: 20g | Carbs: 70g | Fat: 30g
– Ideal For: Brunch gatherings, cozy satisfying dinners, special breakfasts, or simply whenever your soul craves a mighty Southern dose of comfort.
Ready to Cook Some Soulful Goodness?💖
Once you take your first crispy, fluffy, melty-spicy-sweet bite, I promise—you’ll wonder why Fried Chicken & Waffles weren’t part of your weekly rotation already. Who knew a dish could have this much heart, nostalgia, and outright deliciousness?
Next weekend, whip this up for your favorite people (or hey, yourself)—and create memories that’ll last as deliciously long as mine have. Trust me, they’ll thank you a thousand times over.
Happy cooking my foodie friends! As always—cook with love, eat with passion, and keep spreading good vibes around your table! 🍽️✨🤗
PrintSouthern Fried Chicken & Waffles
- Total Time: 45 minutes (plus marinating)
- Yield: 4 1x
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)
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
â…“ cup melted butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Spicy Honey Butter Sauce:
½ cup honey (or maple syrup)
4 tbsp melted butter
1–2 tsp hot sauce (to taste)
Pinch of cayenne (optional)
Instructions
1. Marinate the Chicken:
Mix buttermilk with salt, pepper, garlic, paprika, and cayenne. Add chicken and marinate at least 30 minutes (overnight is best).
2. Fry the Chicken:
Mix flour and cornstarch in a bowl. Dredge chicken in the dry mix, pressing to coat. Fry in hot oil (medium-high) for 5–7 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Let rest on paper towels.
3. Make the Waffles:
Whisk dry ingredients in one bowl and wet ingredients in another. Combine and mix just until blended. Cook in a hot waffle iron until crisp and golden.
4. Whisk the Sauce:
Mix honey, melted butter, hot sauce, and cayenne in a small bowl. Adjust heat to your liking.
5. Serve:
Top each waffle with a piece of fried chicken and drizzle generously with spicy honey butter. Serve hot and enjoy every bite!
Nutrition
- Calories: 600 per serving
- Fat: 30g per serving
- Carbohydrates: 70g per serving
- Protein: 20g per serving
