Description
This Homemade Fried Chicken ‘n’ Waffles recipe features tender, juicy boneless chicken thighs marinated in buttermilk and perfectly fried to golden crispiness. Served atop fluffy, flavorful waffles and drizzled with a spicy-sweet jalapeno honey butter sauce, this dish is the ultimate comfort food with a kick. Perfect for brunch, lunch, or dinner, this recipe combines classic Southern flavors with a modern twist.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Fried Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Vegetable oil, for frying
For the Waffles:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Jalapeno Honey Butter Sauce:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1-2 jalapenos, finely chopped (seeds removed for less heat)
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, combine the buttermilk and hot sauce (if using). Add the boneless, skinless chicken thighs and let them marinate for at least 30 minutes, or preferably overnight, to ensure tender and flavorful chicken.
- Prepare the Flour Coating: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and black pepper until evenly combined.
- Heat the Oil: Pour about 2 inches of vegetable oil into a deep skillet or Dutch oven and heat it to 350°F (175°C), which is ideal for frying chicken to get crispy exterior and juicy interior.
- Dredge the Chicken: Remove the chicken thighs from the buttermilk marinade, letting any excess drip off. Then dredge each piece in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing gently to coat thoroughly and evenly.
- Fry the Chicken: Carefully lower the coated chicken thighs into the hot oil. Fry for 6-7 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the oil and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- Mix Dry Ingredients for Waffles: In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt, stirring well to distribute the leavening agents and salt evenly.
- Mix Wet Ingredients for Waffles: In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth and well blended.
- Combine and Prepare Batter: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently stir until just combined. It’s important not to overmix; a few lumps are perfectly fine, preserving the waffles’ light texture.
- Cook the Waffles: Preheat the waffle iron and lightly grease it with cooking spray. Pour batter onto the hot waffle iron and cook according to the manufacturer’s instructions, typically about 3-5 minutes, until waffles are golden brown and crisp on the outside.
- Make the Jalapeno Honey Butter Sauce: In a small saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Stir in the honey, finely chopped jalapenos (seeds removed for less heat, if desired), smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper. Let the sauce simmer gently for 2-3 minutes to meld the flavors, then remove from heat.
- Assemble and Serve: Place a warm waffle on each serving plate, top with a piece of fried chicken, and drizzle generously with the jalapeno honey butter sauce. Serve immediately for the best experience.
Notes
- For best flavor and tenderness, marinate the chicken overnight if time allows.
- Adjust the number of jalapenos in the sauce to control the heat level.
- To keep the fried chicken crispy while cooking waffles, place fried pieces on a wire rack set over a baking sheet in a warm oven (around 200°F) until serving.
- You can substitute buttermilk with milk plus 1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice if you don’t have buttermilk on hand.
- Use a thermometer to monitor frying oil temperature for perfect crispiness and to avoid greasy chicken.
