Buttermilk-Brined Fried Chicken with Waffle and Maple Butter

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-11 · Updated 2026-05-11

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Juicy fried chicken brined in buttermilk for tenderness, paired with golden waffles and a dollop of maple butter for a classic Southern-inspired meal. This Southern-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 55 minutes, combines chicken drumsticks and thighs, buttermilk, salt into a breakfast that fuels the morning without the midday crash — make-ahead-friendly and balanced enough to anchor the first meal of the day. Each serving lands at about 700 calories and feeds 4, so it sits comfortably in a weekly breakfast rotation alongside fruit, yogurt, or coffee. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 40 min Serves 4 Southern cuisine 700 cal/serving

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Ingredients

8 pieces chicken drumsticks and thighs
4 cups buttermilk
2 tbsp salt
1 tbsp black pepper
1 tbsp paprika
1 tbsp garlic powder
2 cups all-purpose flour
4 cups for frying vegetable oil
4 frozen waffles
4 tbsp, softened unsalted butter
2 tbsp maple syrup

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Instructions

Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 4 cups buttermilk with 2 tbsp salt, 1 tbsp black pepper, 1 tbsp paprika, and 1 tbsp garlic powder. Submerge 8 chicken drumsticks and thighs in the brine, cover, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Step 2: Remove the chicken from the brine and let excess drip off. Place 2 cups all-purpose flour in a shallow bowl and dredge each piece thoroughly, shaking off excess.
Step 3: Heat 4 cups vegetable oil in a deep heavy skillet or Dutch oven to 350°F. Fry the chicken in batches for 12-15 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Drain on paper towels.
Step 4: Toast 4 frozen waffles according to package instructions until crispy and hot.
Step 5: In a small bowl, mix 4 tbsp softened unsalted butter with 2 tbsp maple syrup until smooth. Serve the fried chicken atop the waffles with a generous dollop of maple butter on top.