Honey-Glazed Fried Chicken with Buttermilk Waffles

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

Juicy fried chicken glazed with a sweet honey sauce paired with fluffy buttermilk waffles for a classic Southern meat-and-three inspired meal. This Southern-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 60 minutes, combines bone-in chicken 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 760 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 bone-in chicken thighs
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 2 tbsp hot sauce
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• for frying, about 4 cups vegetable oil
• 1/3 cup honey
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 3/4 cups buttermilk
• 1/4 cup, melted unsalted butter

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 2 cups buttermilk and 2 tbsp hot sauce. Add 8 bone-in chicken thighs and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
2. Step 2: In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 tsp paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper.
3. Step 3: Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting excess drip off, then dredge each piece in the seasoned flour mixture until fully coated. Set aside on a rack.
4. Step 4: Heat about 4 cups vegetable oil in a deep skillet or Dutch oven to 350°F. Fry the chicken in batches for 12-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Drain on paper towels.
5. Step 5: Meanwhile, prepare waffles: in a large bowl, whisk 2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt, and 2 tbsp granulated sugar.
6. Step 6: In another bowl, beat 1 large egg, then whisk in 1 3/4 cups buttermilk, 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter, and 1 tsp vanilla extract. Pour wet ingredients into dry and stir until just combined.
7. Step 7: Preheat waffle iron and cook waffles according to manufacturer’s instructions until golden and crisp.
8. Step 8: For the honey glaze, melt 2 tbsp unsalted butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir in 1/3 cup honey and warm until combined.
9. Step 9: Brush the hot fried chicken with the honey glaze generously and serve alongside the warm buttermilk waffles.