Cracker Barrel Chicken And Waffles

This Cracker Barrel Chicken And Waffles Recipe is a sweet and savory masterpiece—the exact meal I crave when I want the ultimate brunch indulgence that satisfies every taste bud. A perfect combo of golden-fried buttermilk chicken tenders, crisp-edged griddled waffles, and a generous pour of warm maple syrup, it is a soul food classic that feels like a celebration on a plate. Ideally the waffle batter should be rested for ten minutes before cooking to allow the flour to hydrate and the leavening to activate for a lighter, fluffier interior.

Jump to Recipe

Cracker Barrel Chicken And Waffles Recipe Ingredients

For the Homestyle Chicken:

• 1 lb (450g) chicken tenderloins
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• Vegetable oil, for frying

For the Waffles:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1.5 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For Serving:

• Warm maple syrup (100% pure preferred)
• Whipped butter

How To Make Cracker Barrel Chicken And Waffles Recipe

1. Prepare the Chicken: In a shallow bowl, pour the buttermilk. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Dip each chicken tender into the buttermilk, shake off the excess, and dredge firmly in the seasoned flour. Set the breaded chicken on a wire rack to rest for 5 minutes.
2. Make the Waffle Batter: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. In a separate jug, whisk the eggs, milk, melted butter, and vanilla. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir gently until just combined—a few small lumps are okay. Let the batter rest.
3. Fry the Chicken: Heat 1 inch of vegetable oil in a deep skillet to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Carefully place the chicken tenders in the hot oil. Fry for 3 to 4 minutes per side until they are deep golden brown and cooked through. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
4. Cook the Waffles: Preheat your waffle iron and spray lightly with non-stick spray. Pour the appropriate amount of batter (usually 1/2 to 3/4 cup depending on your iron) onto the grates. Close the lid and cook for 3 to 5 minutes until the waffle is golden brown and crisp.
5. Assemble: Place a hot, crisp waffle on a large plate. Top with two or three pieces of fried chicken.
6. Serve: Top with a scoop of whipped butter and drizzle generously with warm maple syrup. Serve immediately.

Recipe Tips

• Waffle Iron Style: Cracker Barrel uses a standard, thinner waffle iron rather than a deep Belgian maker. If you want that authentic texture, use a standard iron, but a Belgian one works fine if that is what you have.
• Keep it Crisp: To keep the first batch of waffles and chicken warm while you finish cooking, place them on a wire rack in a 200 degree F oven. This prevents them from getting soggy, which happens if you stack them on a plate.
• Warm Syrup: Cold syrup cools down the food instantly. Microwaving your syrup for 30 seconds before serving makes a huge difference in the final experience.
• Don’t Over-mix: When making the waffle batter, stop stirring as soon as the flour streaks disappear. Over-mixing develops gluten and makes the waffles rubbery instead of crisp.

What To Serve With Cracker Barrel Chicken And Waffles

Brunch accompaniments are versatile additions frequently served to balance the heavy sugar and fat content of this decadent dish. Ideally the fresh fruit should be cut into bite-sized pieces to provide a bright, acidic palate cleanser between bites of syrup-soaked waffle.

• Fresh fruit salad with melon and grapes
• Scrambled eggs with cheese
• Crispy bacon or sausage patties (for the ultimate meat lover)
• A hot cup of dark roast coffee

How To Store Cracker Barrel Chicken And Waffles

• Refrigerate: Store the chicken and waffles in separate containers. They will keep for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
• Reheat: Reheat the waffles in a toaster to crisp them back up. Reheat the chicken in an air fryer or oven at 375 degrees F for 5 minutes.
• Freeze: Waffles freeze perfectly. Let them cool, stack them with parchment paper in between, and freeze in a bag for up to 3 months. Toast straight from frozen.

Cracker Barrel Chicken And Waffles Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 850 kcal (per serving with syrup)
• Carbohydrates: 95g
• Protein: 32g
• Fat: 38g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 45g

Nutrition information is estimated per serving based on 4 generous servings.

FAQs