Buttermilk-Brined Fried Chicken with Waffle and Spicy Maple Syrup

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

Juicy buttermilk-brined fried chicken paired with homemade waffles drizzled in a spicy maple syrup for a Southern-inspired brunch or dinner. This American Southern-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 300 minutes, combines chicken pieces (legs and thighs), buttermilk, hot sauce 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 850 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.

Ingredients

• 8 chicken pieces (legs and thighs)
• 4 cups buttermilk
• 2 tbsp hot sauce
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 4 cups (for frying) vegetable oil
• 2 cups all-purpose flour (for waffles)
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt (for waffles)
• 1 3/4 cups milk
• 2 large eggs
• 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1 tbsp hot sauce (for syrup)
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter (for syrup)

The instant-read thermometer we’d check this chicken with → Best Instant-Read Thermometers for 2026: Fast, Accurate Picks Under $100

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 4 cups buttermilk and 2 tbsp hot sauce. Add 8 chicken pieces, ensuring they are fully submerged. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to brine.
2. Step 2: In a large shallow dish, whisk 3 cups all-purpose flour, 2 tsp paprika, 1 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp garlic powder, 2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Remove chicken from brine, letting excess drip off, then dredge each piece thoroughly in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing to adhere.
3. Step 3: Heat 4 cups vegetable oil in a deep skillet or fryer to 350°F. Fry chicken pieces in batches for 12-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Drain on wire racks.
4. Step 4: For waffles, preheat a waffle iron. In a bowl, whisk 2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 tsp baking powder, 2 tbsp sugar, and 1/2 tsp salt. In another bowl, beat 1 3/4 cups milk with 2 large eggs and 1/3 cup melted unsalted butter. Combine wet and dry ingredients until just mixed.
5. Step 5: Pour batter into the preheated waffle iron and cook for 4-5 minutes until waffles are golden and crisp. Keep warm.
6. Step 6: For spicy maple syrup, melt 2 tbsp unsalted butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir in 1/2 cup maple syrup and 1 tbsp hot sauce. Warm through, stirring frequently.
7. Step 7: Serve fried chicken on top of waffles and drizzle with spicy maple syrup for a flavorful Southern-inspired dish.