Buttermilk-Brined Fried Chicken with Waffle Cones

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-11 · Updated 2026-05-11

Crisp fried chicken marinated in tangy buttermilk, served alongside warm, golden waffles shaped like cones for a playful twist. This southern-inspired chicken ready in about 55 minutes combines chicken thighs and drumsticks, 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 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.

Ingredients

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

Instructions

1. Step 1: Combine 3 cups buttermilk and 2 tbsp hot sauce in a large bowl. Submerge 8 chicken thighs and drumsticks in the mixture and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight to tenderize and flavor.
2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup cornstarch, 1 tbsp paprika, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. In a separate bowl, beat 2 eggs with 1/2 cup milk.
3. Step 3: Heat 4 cups vegetable oil in a deep skillet or fryer to 350°F. Remove chicken from brine, dip each piece in the egg mixture, then dredge thoroughly in the flour mixture. Fry chicken in batches for 12-15 minutes, turning occasionally until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Drain on a wire rack.
4. Step 4: For waffles, preheat a waffle cone maker or waffle iron. Whisk 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tbsp baking powder, and 2 tbsp sugar in a bowl. In another bowl, combine 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and 1 cup milk. Mix wet ingredients into dry until smooth.
5. Step 5: Pour batter into waffle cone maker and cook until golden and crisp, about 3 minutes. Shape immediately into cones using a cone mold or by hand while warm. Serve the fried chicken alongside waffle cones for a unique presentation.