Cast Iron Fried Chicken with Waffle and Hot Honey Drizzle

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

Juicy, seasoned fried chicken cooked in a cast iron skillet, paired with golden waffles and a sweet-spicy hot honey drizzle for a Southern brunch classic. This southern-inspired chicken ready in about 300 minutes combines chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on), buttermilk, all-purpose flour 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 650 calories and feeds 6, 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

• 6 pieces chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on)
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 3 cups vegetable oil
• 2 cups (prepared according to package) waffle mix
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 tbsp hot sauce
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter

Instructions

1. Step 1: Place 6 chicken thighs in a large bowl and pour 2 cups buttermilk over them. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to tenderize and flavor.
2. Step 2: In a separate large bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tbsp paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Remove chicken from buttermilk, letting excess drip off, then dredge each piece thoroughly in the flour mixture, pressing to coat well.
3. Step 3: Heat 3 cups vegetable oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat to 350°F. Carefully add the coated chicken pieces, frying in batches if necessary, for 12-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until the crust is deep golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Drain on a wire rack.
4. Step 4: While chicken fries, prepare 2 cups waffle mix according to package instructions. Heat your waffle iron and cook waffles until golden and crisp, about 4-5 minutes each.
5. Step 5: In a small saucepan, melt 2 tbsp unsalted butter over low heat. Stir in 1/4 cup honey and 1 tbsp hot sauce, warming gently until combined and fragrant.
6. Step 6: Serve the fried chicken atop waffles, drizzling generously with the hot honey sauce for a balance of heat and sweetness.