The exact origins of the dish are unknown, but living here in San Diego I have always heard of the famed Roscoe’s up in Los Angeles. It has an almost cult following of chicken and waffle patrons and is always recommended. I have had it at several upscale restaurants in various forms and sizes, too. Wether it came from the post-Civil War era after the migration North of African Americans is unclear, but it has been traced back to be a Baltimore, Maryland custom. I also read that in the 1790s, after Thomas Jefferson purchased a waffle iron from France on a trip, it was introduced into our country’s cuisine.
Whatever Fried Chicken and Waffles’ origins, I find it to be a delicious and satisfying meal. I really enjoy the sweet and savory combination. The crunchy, salty piece of chicken mixed with the sweet, crispy outside but soft on the inside waffle.
In these I added rendered, crisp bacon and the waffle batter was cornmeal based. So good, it’s amazing and all served with fried chicken on top of a waffle with melted butter and a drizzle of maple syrup. The waffle recipe is an adaption from Tara Duggan’s wonderful book, “Waffles Sweet & Savory Recipes for Every Meal” that has so many great recipes and ideas for the not always for breakfast treat.

Fried Chicken and Waffles
Ingredients
Chicken
Brine
- 8 chicken thighs boneless and skinless
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 1 tbsp Tabasco or Franks hot sauce
- 1 tbsp kosher salt
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
Coating/Dredge
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup rice flour
- 1 tsp poultry seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Frying
- 4 tbsp butter
- vegetable oil
Waffles
Dry ingredients
- 3/4 cup all -purpose flour
- 3/4 cup cornmeal
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
Wet ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup butter melted
Hot Honey (optional)
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 tbsp Tabaco or Franks hot sauce
Instructions
Chicken
- Add chicken to bowl or sealable plastic bag and cover with buttermilk. Marinate for 1 hour (the lactic acids tenderize the chicken), but no longer than 4 hours.
- Mix the flours, poultry seasoning, salt and black pepper together in a bowl. Shake excess buttermilk from chicken and dredge each piece in the seasoned flour to coat well on both sides. Set aside on tray. Preheat oven to 200°F.
- Add enough oil to a Dutch oven or deep skillet to measure 2 inches. Add butter and heat oil until it almost shimmers. Place the 4 pieces of chicken per batch in the butter and oil and fry for 8-9 minutes. Check internal temperature is 165°F or cook longer (See Note 1-4). Drain on paper towels, cover loosely with foil or place in warm oven while making the waffles.
Waffles
- Preheat waffle maker and coat with nonstick oil spray.Â
- Whisk together the Dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
- In another bowl whisk Wet ingredients and pour into the Dry ingredients. Whisk until you have a smooth batter.
- Pour about 2/3 cup batter into each waffle mold, then cook according to waffle maker directions. Serve waffles immediately with hot fried chicken, maple syrup or hot honey.
Hot Honey
- In a small saucepan melt the butter with the honey and hot sauce. whisk until combined and keep warm until serving.
Notes
-
Allow your chicken to come to room temperature before dropping it right into the hot oil. Cold, from the refrigerator, chicken will drastically alter the oil temp quickly.
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Get the oil temperature up to 350°-375°F before adding chicken. The temperature will drop when chicken goes in. Fry and keep it at a continuous 320-325°F.
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Don't over crowd your frying pan, you want to fry the chicken, not steam it! Chicken is done when it reaches 165°F internal temperature.Â
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Remove from hot oil and place on wire rack to cool. Season with salt if you like.
- Hot Honey is NOT included in the Nutrition count as it's optional.
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice.
Amazing breakfast for us southerns! Love chicken and waffles!