Cheesecake Factory Chicken And Waffles

This homemade Chicken and Waffles recipe is crispy, golden, and full of flavor! The buttermilk fried chicken is seasoned perfectly and pairs beautifully with soft, fluffy waffles. Serve it with warm maple syrup and butter for the best sweet and savory breakfast or brunch.

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Ingredients Needed:

• 1 lb chicken tenderloins (about 6–7 pieces)
• 1 cup whole buttermilk
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder, divided
• 1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder, divided
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground white pepper (or black pepper), divided
• 1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika, divided
• hot sauce, optional
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• vegetable oil, for frying
• Buttermilk Waffles
• pure maple syrup & softened butter, for serving

How To Make Chicken And Waffles?

1. Make the waffles: Prepare your buttermilk waffles using a recipe or mix. Keep them warm until ready to serve.
2. Marinate the chicken: Pat the chicken dry. In a bowl or bag, mix buttermilk, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon pepper, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, and hot sauce (if using). Add chicken and coat well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight for the best flavor.
3. Prepare the coating: In a shallow dish, mix flour with the remaining 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon pepper, and ½ teaspoon smoked paprika.
4. Coat the chicken: Remove chicken from buttermilk, letting excess drip off. Dredge in the flour mixture, pressing to coat evenly. Let rest on a baking sheet.
5. Fry the chicken: Heat oil in a deep pot to 350°F. Fry 4–5 pieces at a time for about 2–3 minutes, until crispy and golden brown. The internal temperature should reach 165°F. Place on a wire rack or paper towel. Repeat with all chicken pieces.
6. Serve: Place warm waffles on plates, top with crispy fried chicken, and serve with softened butter and warm maple syrup. Enjoy!

Recipe Tips:

• Let the chicken soak longer for extra tenderness: Marinate the chicken in buttermilk overnight. This makes it extra juicy and helps the coating stick better.
• Use fresh oil for frying: Old oil can make the chicken taste greasy and heavy. Always use fresh oil for a light and crispy texture.
• Don’t fry too many pieces at once: Frying too much chicken at once lowers the oil temperature, making the coating soggy instead of crispy. Fry in small batches for the best results.
• Shake off extra flour before frying: Too much flour can make the coating fall off in the oil. Shake off any excess to keep the crust light and crunchy.
• Keep the waffles warm until serving: If the waffles cool down, they get soft. Keep them warm in a 200°F oven while frying the chicken so everything is hot and fresh when served.

How To Store & Reheat Leftovers?

• Refrigerate: Let the leftover chicken and waffles cool to room temperature. Store the fried chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days. Keep the waffles in a sealed bag or container to keep them fresh.
• Freeze: Place the cooled fried chicken in a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months. For waffles, wrap them individually and store them in the freezer for up to 2 months.
• Reheat: Set the air fryer to 375°F. Place the fried chicken inside and heat for 5–7 minutes until crispy. Warm the waffles for 2–3 minutes in the air fryer.

Nutrition Facts:

• Calories: 520 kcal
• Total Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Cholesterol: 95mg
• Sodium: 980mg
• Potassium: 350mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 45g
• Dietary Fiber: 2g
• Sugars: 8g
• Protein: 32g