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    Home » Recipes » Chicken Recipes

    Chicken and Waffles

    Published: Aug 1, 2018 · Modified: Jul 14, 2022 by Chef Dennis Littley

    1.8K shares
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    4.94 from 15 votes
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    I love Chicken and waffles! Super crispy buttermilk fried chicken tenders served with fluffy and tender golden sweet potato waffles! It’s a true Southern Classic and a dish that’s easier to make than you think.

    Sweet Potato waffle, butter pecan syrup

    Not a fan of sweet potatoes, but that’s okay I’ve got a recipe for buttermilk waffles that you can use instead. But trust me, once you try my sweet potato waffles you’ll agree they are incredibly delicious and better than simple buttermilk waffles.

    Table of Contents:

    • Are Chicken and Waffles a Southern Dish?
    • What ingredients do I use to make chicken and waffles?
      • What Kind of Sweet Potatoes Should You Use?
    • How do I make Sweet Potato Waffles?
    • How do you properly fry chicken?
    • Fried Chicken and Sweet Potato Waffles
      • Ingredients
        • Sweet Potato Waffles
        • Fried Chicken Tenders
        • Butter Pecan Syrup
      • Instructions
        • Fried Chicken Tenders
        • Butter Pecan Syrup
      • Nutrition

    Are Chicken and Waffles a Southern Dish?

    While thought of as Southern fare, Chicken and Waffles actually find their early beginnings at the turn of the 20th century in restaurants located in Chicago and California, claiming it was a Southern classic.

    This dish would later find fame during the 1930s in Harlem, NY at the Wells Supper Club owned by Joseph T. Wells. Musicians playing at the club loved this breakfast for dinner dish and help it gain popularity.

    What ingredients do I use to make chicken and waffles?

    ingredients to make chicken and waffles

    Let’s start by gathering the ingredients we need to make Chicken and Waffles. In Chef Speak this is called the “Mise en Place” which translates to “Everything in its Place”.

    Not only does setting your ingredients up ahead of time speed up the cooking process, it also helps ensure you have everything you need to make the dish.

    What Kind of Sweet Potatoes Should You Use?

    You can use leftover sweet potatoes, bake them, steam them or microwave them. Any way you cook up your sweet potatoes just make sure they’re soft enough to mash-up for the waffle batter.

    *Soaking the chicken tenders in buttermilk makes the fried chicken even better, but it’s not a deal-breaker.

    If you’re not a fan of sweet potatoes, here is a quick recipe for light and fluffy Buttermilk Waffles.

    Ingredients:

    • 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
    • 2 Tbsp granulated sugar
    • 2 tsp baking powder
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • 1 tsp salt
    • 1¾ cups buttermilk
    • ½ cup unsalted butter melted and cooled to room temperature
    • 2 large eggs
    • 2 tsp vanilla extract

    Instructions:

    • In a large bowl, whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt together then set aside until needed.
    • In a medium bowl, whisk the buttermilk, melted butter, eggs and vanilla extract together until well combined.
    • Add the buttermilk mixture to the flour mixture and gently whisk to combine. Do not overmix!
    • Spray your waffle iron with non-stick cooking spray, then preheat.
    • When the waffle maker is ready, add the batter according to the manufacturer’s instructions and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the waffle maker indicates they are ready. You don’t have to make perfect waffles, I like them looking a little rustic.

    How do I make Sweet Potato Waffles?

    How do you properly fry chicken?

    This is the time-tested method for making the best crispest fried chicken.

    • Always start the process by coating the chicken with a dry ingredient (which is usually flour).
    • Next, dip the chicken into an egg wash (beaten eggs with water or milk added).
    • Then back into the dry ingredient (commonly known as flour).

    This is the preferred method for creating the best Southern Fried Chicken. Whether it’s chicken tenders, or any bone-in or boneless pieces of chicken.

    I always season the flour with salt and black pepper, but you can add a little cayenne, or cajun seasonings to the flour if you want to add some heat. You can also use buttermilk to make the egg wash or season the egg wash with some hot sauce, if you want to bring some heat to the chicken.

    *After breading the chicken, place the pieces on a wire rack so they don’t get mushy or stick together.

    butter pecan syrup

    I was actually quite surprised how much the sweet potatoes helped the waffles. They were moist and flavorful without any hint that there might be sweet potatoes in them.

    I cooked up all the batter and froze the extra cooked waffles for another day of deliciousness! The chicken was crisp and moist the perfect combination and the butter pecan syrup added another layer of flavor to the dish.

    If you enjoyed this recipe you may also like these:

    • Smoked Salmon Quesadillas 
    • Cheesy Skillet Breakfast
    • Shrimp and Grits
    • Banana Stuffed French Toast

    Did you make this? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!

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    Sweet Potato waffle, butter pecan syrup
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    4.94 from 15 votes

    Fried Chicken and Sweet Potato Waffles

    When it comes to Southern Cooking, Chicken and Waffles is always at the top of my list! You’ll love my version with Fried Chicken Tenders and Sweet Potato Waffles.
    Prep Time20 minutes mins
    Cook Time25 minutes mins
    Total Time45 minutes mins
    Course: Entree
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 854kcal
    Author: Chef Dennis Littley

    Ingredients

    Sweet Potato Waffles

    • 1 cup cooked sweet potato mashed
    • 4 large eggs
    • 12 ounces buttermilk
    • 6 tablespoons butter melted
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 2 teaspoons baking powder
    • ⅓ cup brown sugar
    • 2 ¼ cups flour
    • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
    • 1 teaspoon salt

    Fried Chicken Tenders

    • 12 oz buttermilk
    • 1 pound chicken tenders approx 12 pieces
    • 2 cups all purpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon sea salt
    • 1 teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon paprika optional
    • 2 cups vegetable oil for frying chicken

    Butter Pecan Syrup

    • ¼ cup pecans chopped
    • 2 tablespoons butter
    • ½ cup maple syrup
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 200 degrees to hold waffles and chicken
    • In a large mixing bowl, combine dry ingredients.
    • In a medium bowl, whisk together sweet potatoes, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla until combined. Add in milk and continue to mix until well blended.
    • Stir sweet-potato mixture into flour mixture until combined. It’s okay for it to have some lumps and bits of sweet potato.
    • Place a wire rack on a baking pan and set in the oven.
    • Heat waffle iron to medium-high and lightly brush grids with melted butter.
    • Ladle about ½ cup batter into the center of iron (grids should be full but not overflowing), close, and cook until iron stops steaming and waffles are golden brown, about 4 minutes (or make according to your manufacturer's instructions).
    • Transfer waffles to wire rack in oven to keep warm. Repeat with remaining batter.

    Fried Chicken Tenders

    • Place chicken tenders in a bowl and cover with buttermilk. Turn to coat each piece and let them sit for at least an hour up to overnight.
    • Put the flour in a bowl or baking pan adding in sea salt, black pepper and paprika. Mix well.
    • Lift out the chicken tenders and allow them excess buttermilk to drain off and then place it into the seasoned flour. Completely coat the tenders and place on a dish until ready to fry.
    • Heat oil in a large skillet and place half the tenders at a time into the pan (or as many that will fit. Do not overcrowd the pan)
    • Fry on each side for 4-5 minutes until they are completely cooked and have good color.
    • Place cooked tenders on a wire rack in oven to drain and keep hot until service.

    Butter Pecan Syrup

    • Lightly toast pecans in a small pan over medium heat until fragrant, about 5 minutes.
    • Add butter and cook until melted and bubbling.
    • Stir in syrup and cook until warmed.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 854kcal | Carbohydrates: 109g | Protein: 38g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 225mg | Sodium: 1206mg | Potassium: 968mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 35g | Vitamin A: 4150IU | Vitamin C: 1.7mg | Calcium: 275mg | Iron: 5.5mg
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    About Chef Dennis

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    Chef Dennis Littley is a classically trained chef with over 40 years of experience working in the food service industry. In his second career as a food blogger he has made it his mission to demistify cooking by sharing his time-tested recipes, knowledge, and chef tips to help you create easy-to-make restaurant-quality meals in your home kitchen. Let Chef Dennis help you bring the joy of cooking into your home. For more details, check out his About page.

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    1. Brunch with Sam

      July 03, 2020 at 12:10 pm

      5 stars
      Chicken and waffles is my favorite meal! Thanks for sharing your sweet potato waffle recipe!

      Reply
    2. Jennifer

      July 03, 2020 at 9:37 am

      5 stars
      This recipe looks absolutely fantastic. I will be making this for my family next week for sure.

      Reply
    3. Mama Maggie's Kitchen

      July 01, 2020 at 5:19 pm

      5 stars
      It looks delicious. I wish this were in front of me right now.

      Reply
    4. Leslie

      June 30, 2020 at 10:13 am

      5 stars
      I still have not tried chicken and waffles! But your recipe makes me want to dive on in!! Especially with those sweet potato waffles!!

      Reply
    5. Christie Gagnon

      June 29, 2020 at 7:22 pm

      5 stars
      I love chicken and waffles, and the inclusion of sweet potato in the waffle batter and pecans in the syrup sounds so delicious!

      Reply
    6. Sue

      June 29, 2020 at 4:16 pm

      5 stars
      What a wonderful combination of flavors! Who knew that you could add sweet potatoes to waffles!!

      Reply
    7. Marina

      June 29, 2020 at 3:14 pm

      5 stars
      My husband loves buttermilk fried chicken and my daughter loves waffles. A match made in heaven

      Reply
    8. Emily Flint

      June 28, 2020 at 11:54 pm

      5 stars
      I love everything about this recipe. How smart to add sweet potatoes to the waffles and the butter pecan syrup is like the icing on the cake. Perfection!

      Reply
    9. Alexandra

      June 28, 2020 at 11:40 pm

      5 stars
      Love the addition of the sweet potato to the waffles. What a delicious meal – so comforting and tasty.

      Reply
    10. Sara

      June 28, 2020 at 11:37 pm

      5 stars
      STOP IT! I love salty and sweet and chicken and waffles are one of my favorites. This twist is so fun!

      Reply
    11. Muna Kenny

      January 19, 2016 at 9:44 am

      5 stars
      My favorite two together, that’s heaven! These clicks are mouth watering Chef 🙂

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        January 19, 2016 at 9:49 am

        They were delicious!!! Thanks so much for stopping by!

        Reply
    12. Kevin @ Closet Cooking

      January 16, 2016 at 12:20 pm

      Ship some of this to me for breakfast tomorrow! Yum!

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        January 17, 2016 at 12:32 pm

        Thanks so much for stopping by Kevin! They would certainly have made a delicious breakfast.

        Reply
    13. Larry

      January 15, 2016 at 8:15 am

      A meal fit for a true Southener and looks delicious. I am going to have to try chicken and waffles to see what the fascination is. The sweet potato version makes more since to me than a normal breakfast waffle.

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        January 15, 2016 at 9:12 am

        The sweet potato waffles were such a pleasant surprise Larry, I could have them for breakfast too!

        Reply

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    My name is Dennis Littley or “Chef Dennis” as I’m known both at work and across the blogosphere. As a classically trained chef with 40+ years of experience in the kitchen, I share my time-tested recipes, knowledge, and chef tips to help you create easy-to-make restaurant-quality meals in your home kitchen.

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