Southern-Style Chicken and Waffles
A classic comfort food pairing featuring crispy, golden-fried chicken served atop fluffy, light waffles with a drizzle of sweet maple syrup.
Ingredients
- •4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded to 1/2-inch thickness
- •1 cup soy milk or almond milk
- •1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- •1 cup all-purpose flour
- •1/2 cup cornstarch
- •1 tablespoon paprika
- •1 teaspoon garlic powder
- •1 teaspoon onion powder
- •1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- •Salt and black pepper to taste
- •Vegetable oil for frying
- •2 cups all-purpose flour (for waffles)
- •1 tablespoon baking powder
- •1/2 teaspoon salt
- •2 cups soy milk or almond milk (for waffles)
- •1/2 cup neutral oil (for waffles)
- •2 large eggs
- •Maple syrup for serving
Instructions
- 1
In a shallow bowl, whisk the soy milk and apple cider vinegar; add the chicken and let it marinate for at least 15 minutes.
- 2
In a separate bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper.
- 3
Dredge each piece of chicken in the flour mixture, pressing firmly to ensure a thick, even coating.
- 4
Heat 1 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet to 350°F (175°C) and fry the chicken for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through; drain on a wire rack.
- 5
For the waffles, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.
- 6
In a separate bowl, mix the soy milk, oil, and eggs, then stir into the dry ingredients until just combined.
- 7
Preheat your waffle iron and cook the batter according to the manufacturer's instructions until golden and crisp.
- 8
Serve the hot fried chicken immediately over the fresh waffles, drizzled generously with maple syrup.
💡 Chef tips
- Use a wire rack instead of paper towels to drain the chicken to keep the crust from getting soggy.
- You can make the waffle batter up to 30 minutes in advance, but keep it refrigerated until ready to cook.
- For extra crunch, add 1/4 cup of cornmeal to the chicken breading mixture.
✅ How it should turn out
The dish should feature a shatteringly crisp, savory chicken crust contrasting with a soft, airy waffle, delivering a perfect balance of salty and sweet flavors.