Johnson's Crispy Chicken and Waffles

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-05 · Updated 2026-04-05

Golden, crispy fried chicken paired with fluffy buttermilk waffles and a drizzle of maple syrup for a classic American brunch. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 55 minutes combines chicken thighs, boneless and skinless, 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 720 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

• 1 lb chicken thighs, boneless and skinless
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup maple syrup

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup buttermilk, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Add the chicken thighs and marinate for 30 minutes at room temperature.
2. Step 2: In a shallow dish, combine 1 cup all-purpose flour, 2 tbsp cornstarch, 1 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Drain the chicken from the buttermilk and coat each piece in the flour mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
3. Step 3: Heat 1/2 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering (about 375°F). Fry the chicken in batches for 5-7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a wire rack and keep warm.
4. Step 4: While the chicken fries, make the waffles: Whisk together 2 tbsp melted butter, 1 cup buttermilk, 2 eggs, and 1/2 tsp salt in a bowl. In another bowl, mix 1 cup all-purpose flour, 2 tsp baking powder, and 2 tbsp sugar. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry, stirring until just combined.
5. Step 5: Pour 1/2 cup batter onto a preheated waffle iron and cook for 3-4 minutes until golden. Serve the crispy chicken with warm waffles and drizzle with 1/2 cup maple syrup.