Listen, this homemade chicken and waffles recipe has never looked better; super crispy and perfectly flavored buttermilk fried chicken paired with fluffy and tender golden waffles! The most perfect pairing!

chicken and waffles on silver plate with black fork

I’m participating in the 2020 Juneteenth Cookout Takeover– (a merge of the words/date June Nineteenth).

What Is Juneteenth, You Ask?

Y’all, I am happy to share this chicken and waffles recipe in honor of Juneteenth!

If you are unfamiliar with Juneteenth; it is the oldest known celebration honoring the end of slavery in the United States. Furthermore, June 19, 1865 marks the day when news of emancipation and the Civil War’s end finally reached the last group of slaves in America. General Gordon Granger rode into Galveston, Texas and announced enslaved people were now free. Also, this very news took two years to reach the last group of the enslaved, too. Since then, Juneteenth has been celebrated across the world as it centers *Black* freedom and liberation. This soul food recipe commemorates African-American foodways.

The Significance Of Juneteenth

And for over 150 years since, Black American families, home-cooks, chefs, and culinarians have commemorated the summer holiday with a wide range of food traditions that tell a story of the perseverance of a people- and to amplify the food traditions of black culinary creatives. I will be including a list below (with clickable links) to check out all the participants’ delicious recipes honoring Juneteenth.

Most importantly, Juneteenth is such a special holiday to me. In addition, if you’ve been following this blog and me on social for a while now; you already know just how much my Blackness means to me. Preserving the richness of Black history is typically at the forefront of my work. With everything going on in this country surrounding systemic racism; this post honoring Juneteenth is a much needed respite. I hope you enjoy.

First…let’s just go on and dive right in, okay. Yes indeedy…we’re talkin’ about chicken and waffles today!

History Of Chicken And Waffles

One of the best Southern classic pairings in the world, hands down, is fried chicken and waffles. This sweet and savory combo is a huge fan among so many and for good reason. Research shows us that chicken and waffles was born out of the Harlem Renaissance as early as the 1930s; gaining popularity from Harlem restauranteur Joseph T. Wells. Similarly, Wells’ famous restaurant, Wells Supper Club, often was the busiest in the wee hours of the morning; hence the evening/morning combination that Wells became known for serving. All in all, it’s no surprise that this soulful and down-right scrumptious combo is so popular!

chicken and waffles on silver plate with black fork

What Makes For The Best Chicken and Waffles

Okay now, so let’s talk about how to make the best chicken and waffles!

  • Ingredients: It all starts with great ingredients like spices and elements of flavor for maximum deliciousness, y’all. For the fried chicken; I’m using things like garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and white pepper, to name a few. And in my waffles you’ll find flour, cornmeal, and buttermilk.
  • Process: Is the chicken soaked in buttermilk and spices or nah? Listen, the very best fried chicken most definitely includes a good buttermilk brine…please don’t let anyone tell you different! Thus, the overall process to make a bangin’ plate of chicken and waffles truly does matter!

What Kind Of Chicken Parts To Use

So, this one is entirely up to you. However, for my recipe, I love using chicken tenderloins. To me, boneless fried chicken works so well for chicken and waffles. Moreover, the cooking time for boneless fried chicken is cut in half too! If you use bone-in chicken parts just be sure to adjust your cooking time.

How To Make Homemade Waffles

Additionally, I’ve already made a homemade buttermilk waffles recipe that’ll serve you good! These babies are crisp yet fluffy with ample flavor. They’re literally just waiting to be topped with crunchy buttermilk fried chicken and soaked in sweet maple syrup! Who knew homemade waffles could be so fun.

chicken and waffles on silver plate with black fork on marble surface

How To Make Fried Chicken

  1. To begin, marinate chicken tenderloins in a good buttermilk brine mixture. This mixture includes buttermilk (duh), kosher salt, white pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika.
  2. Allow chicken to soak in buttermilk mixture overnight to tenderize and absorb all of the flavor.
  3. Next, when ready to cook: the chicken will be dredged in a seasoned flour base. This mixture has flour and more salt, pepper, garlic/onion powder, and smoked paprika.
  4. Lastly, simply fry up the chicken in a large cast iron/dutch oven pan until crispy and golden!

Other Brunch Recipes You Might Enjoy

REMEMBER TO LEAVE A ⭐️STAR RATING⭐️AND TAG ME ON THE ‘GRAM IF YOU MAKE ANY OF MY RECIPES! I ALWAYS LOVE TO SEE IT WHEN YOU DO!

UNTIL NEXT TIME…LOVE AND BUTTER,

Q.

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chicken and waffles on silver plate with black fork

Chicken and Waffles Recipe

★★★★★ 5 from 2 reviews
  • Author: Quin Liburd
  • Prep Time: 10m
  • Cook Time: 15m
  • Total Time: 25m
  • Yield: 3–4 1x
  • Category: Breakfast, Brunch
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: American, Southern
Print Recipe

Description

Homemade chicken and waffles has never looked better; super crispy and perfectly flavored buttermilk fried chicken paired with fluffy and tender golden waffles! The most perfect pairing!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb chicken tenderloins (about 6–7 pieces)
  • 1 cup whole buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Vegetable oil (about 1.5 quarts), for frying
  • Buttermilk Waffles, click link for full waffles recipe
  • pure maple syrup, for serving

Seasoned Flour Mixture

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

Instructions

  1. To make buttermilk mixture; combine buttermilk, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, white pepper and smoked paprika together in a large bowl. Stir to fully incorporate and add in chicken tenderloins. Be sure all chicken pieces are saturated in mixture.
  2. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and let chicken marinate in mixture overnight in the fridge. 
  3. In a a large cast iron/dutch oven, heat up oil. Allow oil to reach at least 350°F for optimum frying levels. If you do not have a deep fry thermometer, take the end of a wooden spoon and dip it into the hot oil. If bubbles form around spoon, oil is hot and ready. If oil is bubbling hard, then oil is too hot and let cool.
  4. To make seasoned flour: in a shallow pie plate or medium bowl, whisk together flour and seasonings. 
  5. Take each chicken piece and shake off excess buttermilk mixture, then dip into seasoned flour and coat chicken all over, shaking off any excess. Fry each piece of chicken until golden brown and crispy, about 7-10 minutes, or until cooked through completely. Careful not to overcrowd pan, fry in batches if you need to.
  6. Lay cooked chicken on a rimmed baking sheet fitted with a wire rack and let cool.
  7. Make buttermilk waffles and top waffles with chicken and maple syrup. Enjoy!

Keywords: breakfast, brunch, southern, chicken, waffles

🖤 2020 Juneteenth Cookout Takeover 🖤

Click here to see a full + complete list of participants!