Homemade KFC Chicken and Waffles Recipe

I’ve often wondered about the secrets behind this iconic pairing. How does one perfectly recreate the crisp, flavorful KFC Chicken and Waffles that have become a global sensation? And what about mimicking those uniquely sweet, perfectly textured waffles that have the power to transport you straight to the heart of Southern cuisine with just a taste?

How to make KFC Chicken and Waffles

KFC Chicken and Waffles is a menu item that combines two Southern U.S. comfort food staples: crispy fried chicken and sweet Belgian-style waffles.

Ingredients

For the Fried Chicken:

• Chicken pieces (you can use drumsticks, thighs, or even chicken tenders)
• 2 cups buttermilk (for marinating)
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• Vegetable oil or peanut oil (for frying)

For the Liège-style Waffles:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 pack (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
• 1/3 cup warm milk (100-110°F)
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs (room temperature)
• 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup pearl sugar (you can substitute with crushed sugar cubes or skip entirely for syrup lovers)

For Serving:

• Maple syrup (or a syrup of your choice, like KFC’s classic Mrs. Butterworth’s)
• Optional toppings: whipped butter, hot sauce, or fruit syrup

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Fried Chicken

1. Marinate the Chicken: Place your chicken pieces in a bowl or large zip-top bag. Pour buttermilk over the chicken and let it marinate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight in the refrigerator. This will tenderize the chicken and make it juicy.
2. Prepare the Breading: In a shallow dish, mix together the flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne (if using), salt, and black pepper.
3. Coat the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the buttermilk marinade, letting excess liquid drip off. Dredge each piece in the seasoned flour mixture until fully coated. For extra crunch, you can repeat the process: dip the floured chicken back into the buttermilk and dredge again in the flour.
4. Fry the Chicken: Heat vegetable or peanut oil in a large frying pan or deep fryer to 350°F (use a thermometer for accuracy). Carefully place the chicken pieces into the hot oil and fry for 12-15 minutes (or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F for safety). Remove and drain on paper towels to absorb excess oil.

Step 2: Make the Liège-style Waffles

1. Activate Yeast: In a small bowl, mix the warm milk, sugar, and active dry yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until bubbles form, indicating the yeast is activated.
2. Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, combine the flour, eggs, vanilla extract, softened butter, and the activated yeast mixture. Stir until a thick dough forms.
3. Knead the dough lightly (about 2-3 minutes). Add pearl sugar and knead until well incorporated.
4. Let the Dough Rise: Place the dough in a bowl, cover it with a damp towel, and let it rise for 1 hour in a warm place.
5. Cook the Waffles: Preheat your waffle iron. Spray it lightly with cooking spray or brush it with melted butter.
6. Divide the dough into small balls (roughly 1/4 cup each) and cook each portion until golden brown, usually 3-5 minutes per waffle, depending on your waffle iron.

Step 3: Assemble the Dish

1. Plate It Up: Place a waffle (or two) on a plate, add fried chicken on top, and drizzle generously with maple syrup.
2. Optional Add-Ons: Add a dollop of whipped butter or a dash of hot sauce for extra flavor.
3. Serve immediately while the chicken is hot and the waffles are warm.

Tips to Nail KFC Chicken and Waffles at Home

• Marinate Longer for Juicier Chicken: Don’t rush the marinating process—it’s key to making moist chicken. Overnight marination works wonders.
• Double-Dip for Extra Crunch: Reapply the buttermilk and flour coating for a thicker, crunchier crust that mimics KFC’s iconic fried chicken texture.
• Use Pearl Sugar for Authentic Waffles: Pearl sugar gives Liège waffles their signature crunch and sweetness. If unavailable, crushed sugar cubes are a good substitute.
• Keep Waffles Warm While Cooking: As you finish the batch, place the cooked waffles in an oven preheated to 200°F. This prevents them from cooling before serving.
• Experiment with Syrups: While classic maple syrup is always a winner, adding fruit syrups or a touch of spicy hot honey can elevate the flavor profile.

What to serve with

Serving KFC Chicken and Waffles, a delightfully indulgent combination of sweet and savory flavors, calls for complementary sides and drinks that enhance the overall dining experience.

1. Sides

• Macaroni and Cheese: A creamy, cheesy side that pairs wonderfully with the crunchy chicken. The smooth texture and rich flavor of macaroni and cheese provide a perfect counterbalance to the crispy exterior of the chicken.
• Coleslaw: KFC’s creamy coleslaw offers a refreshing crunch and a tangy taste that cuts through the sweetness of the waffles and the richness of the chicken, making it an ideal side dish.
• Mashed Potatoes and Gravy: This classic side dish complements the waffles and chicken with its smooth, buttery texture and savory flavor, offering a comforting addition to the KFC Chicken and Waffles.
• Green Beans: For a lighter side, KFC’s green beans, cooked with bits of bacon and onions, provide a savory and slightly smoky flavor that pairs well with the other components of the meal, adding a needed freshness to balance the plate.

2. Sauces & Toppings

• Maple Syrup: A must-have with KFC Chicken and Waffles, pure maple syrup drizzled over the top ties the salty and sweet elements together perfectly.
• Honey: For those who prefer a slightly different sweetness, honey can be a delightful alternative to maple syrup. It brings out the natural flavors of the KFC Chicken and Waffles.
• Hot Sauce: A dash of hot sauce can add a spicy kick to the meal, enhancing the flavors and providing heat for those who enjoy spice.
• Butter: A dollop of melted butter over the warm waffles can enrich the dish, adding a creamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture that complements both the chicken and the waffles.

3. Drinks

• Iced Tea: A refreshing glass of iced tea, either sweetened or unsweetened, can cleanse the palate and refresh the taste buds between bites of this rich and hearty meal.
• Lemonade: The tangy and sweet flavor of lemonade works well with the saltiness of the fried chicken and the sweetness of the waffles, providing a refreshing drink option.
• Coffee: For a morning or brunch serving, a hot cup of coffee can complement the breakfast vibe of the waffles while offering a warm beverage to sip on throughout the meal.

4. Desserts

• Pecan Pie: To round off the meal on a sweet note, a slice of pecan pie, with its sweet filling and crunchy nuts, can be a delightful dessert that complements the southern theme of chicken and waffles.
• Banana Pudding: Another comforting dessert option, banana pudding with its creamy texture and sweet flavors, offers a mild end to a decadent meal without overwhelming the palate after such a rich main course.

Ingredients Substitutes

Making a homemade version of KFC Chicken and Waffles can be both a fun and rewarding culinary experience. If you’re looking to replicate this iconic dish but don’t have access to all the original ingredients, there are plenty of substitutions you can use while preserving the delicious taste.

Fried Chicken Substitutes

Chicken Substitutes

• Chicken Thighs (instead of Chicken Drumsticks): If drumsticks are unavailable, chicken thighs can be a great replacement. Thighs are juicy and flavorful, and they work well for fried chicken.
• Boneless Chicken Breasts: For a slightly leaner alternative, boneless chicken breasts can be cut into smaller pieces and fried to create crispy chicken tenders.
• Turkey Strips: Turkey tenderloin or strips can be used for a leaner option that mimics the texture of fried chicken while offering a slightly different flavor.

Buttermilk Substitute for Soaking Chicken

• Buttermilk is often used in marinades for fried chicken to tenderize the meat and add tangy flavor. If buttermilk isn’t available, here are alternatives:
• Milk + Vinegar or Lemon Juice: Combine 1 cup of regular milk with 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until it curdles slightly. This makes a great buttermilk substitute.
• Yogurt: Plain yogurt, thinned out with water, can mimic the creamy consistency of buttermilk and help achieve the same tenderizing effect.
• Heavy Cream: If you prefer a richer marinade, heavy cream thinned with a small amount of vinegar can substitute for buttermilk.

Bread Crumbs or Coating Alternatives

• Panko Bread Crumbs: A lighter and crispier alternative to traditional breadcrumbs for a crunchier crust.
• Cornmeal: If you’re out of flour for dredging, cornmeal can provide a slightly sweet and extra-crispy coating for your chicken.
• Crushed Cornflakes: Crushed cereal works great to create a textured, crunchy crust similar to fried chicken.
• Almond Flour: For a gluten-free alternative, almond flour can be used for dredging the chicken.

Spice Substitutes

The spice blend is crucial for creating that signature KFC flavor. If you don’t have the exact spices, here are substitutions:

• Paprika → Smoked Paprika: Smoked paprika offers a deeper, smoky flavor while still delivering the characteristic red hue for the chicken’s coating.
• Garlic Powder → Minced Fresh Garlic: Fresh garlic can be finely minced or crushed to add bold flavor to your marinade or spice mix.
• Onion Powder → Grated Onion: Grated onion can serve as a substitute, adding fresh, robust onion flavor to your marinade.
• Dried Thyme → Italian Seasoning or Herbs de Provence: These spice blends can be used as substitutes since they include thyme and other complementary herbs.

Waffle Substitutes

• Flour Alternatives: If you’re making waffles and don’t have all-purpose flour, here are alternatives:
• Whole Wheat Flour: Adds nuttiness and a slightly denser texture to your waffles, perfect for a healthier twist.
• Gluten-Free Flour Blend: For those looking to avoid gluten, a blend of rice flour, potato starch, and tapioca flour can create soft and fluffy waffles.
• Oat Flour: Blended oats can be used as a homemade flour alternative, imparting a mildly sweet flavor to the waffles.

Milk Substitutes

Milk provides moisture and richness to the waffle batter. Here are substitutes:

• Almond Milk: A non-dairy alternative, almond milk delivers mild sweetness and creaminess to waffles.
• Coconut Milk: Adds richness and a subtle coconut flavor while maintaining moisture in the batter.
• Soy Milk: A neutral-tasting milk alternative that works well in waffle recipes.

Egg Replacement

Eggs in waffles are used as a binding agent and to provide structure. If you’re out of eggs or prefer a plant-based option:

• Flaxseed Meal: Mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 2.5 tablespoons of water to create a “flax egg,” which works as a vegan binding agent.
• Unsweetened Applesauce: Use 1/4 cup of applesauce per egg as a natural, mildly sweet substitute.
• Yogurt: 1/4 cup of plain yogurt can be substituted per egg for added richness in the batter.

Final Thoughts

Now, you’re armed with all the tools to recreate the magic of KFC Chicken and Waffles in your very own kitchen! Gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and prepare to indulge yourself—or wow your friends and family.

More Chicken Recipes:

• Bamboo Chicken Salad Recipe
• Copycat Popeyes Pickle Wings Recipe