In the Southern United States, there is a soul-soothing traditional dish – fried chicken with waffles. This seemingly simple combination is a classic pairing in the culinary world, especially on Sundays, when it is a symbol of family gatherings that carry strong hometown feelings and warm memories. Here’s how to make Southern Fried Chicken and Waffles at home for a Sunday of Soul Food bliss.
Southern Style Fried Chicken and Waffles
Southern Fried Chicken is characterised by its flavourful chicken and crispy skin, often marinated in a range of spices to give it a distinctive flavour. Waffles, on the other hand, are known for their fluffy and light texture with a crispy outside and tender inside. Served together, the two are not only rich in flavour, but also able to satisfy a wide range of taste buds.
Preparation Ingredients
- Chicken thighs or wings: 500g
- Malt syrup: moderate (optional)
- Eggs: 2
- Flour: 200g
- Corn starch: 50g
- Baking powder: 1 tsp
- Milk: 200 ml
- Salt: 1/2 tsp
- Black pepper: 1/2 tsp
- Spice mix (including thyme, rosemary, paprika, etc.): 2 tbsp.
- Vegetable oil: moderate (for frying)
Waffle ingredients:
- Waffle mix: 200g
- Egg: 1
- Pure water or milk: 150 ml
- Unsalted butter: 50 g (melted).
Preparation steps
Making of Southern Fried Chicken
- Wash the chicken well and absorb any excess water with kitchen paper towels.
- In a large bowl, make the marinade by beating the eggs and whisking in the milk, salt, black pepper and ground mixed spices.
- Add the chicken to the marinade, making sure each piece is well marinated, cover with cling film and leave to marinate in the fridge for at least 1 hour.
- In a large bowl, mix together the low gluten flour, corn starch and baking powder.
- Remove chicken from marinade, drain and coat evenly with batter.
- Heat sufficient vegetable oil in a wok to about 180°C. Add the battered chicken and deep-fry until golden brown and crispy.
Waffle Making
- In a large bowl, combine the waffle mix, eggs and water (or milk) and whisk to form a smooth batter.
- Add the melted unsalted butter and continue to mix well.
- Preheat waffle maker. Pour an appropriate amount of batter into the waffle maker and bake with the lid closed until the waffles are golden and crispy.
Serve on Plates
- arrange fried chicken and waffles on a platter.
- if you like, drizzle some malt syrup over them to add a sweet aroma.
- You can also sprinkle some mixed spice powder on the fried chicken to enhance the flavour according to your personal taste.
Tips
- Keep the oil at an even temperature when frying the chicken, you can use a kitchen thermometer to monitor the oil temperature.
- Do not turn the chicken immediately when frying, wait until one side is set before turning the other to prevent the outer skin from falling off.
- Waffle batter should not be too thick, otherwise the waffles will not be fluffy enough. If the batter is too thick, add water or milk to adjust.
- Waffle baking time is adjusted according to personal preference and the actual situation of the waffle maker, generally waffle makers are equipped with indicator lights, when the green light is on it usually means that the baking is complete.
Conclusion
Sitting around the table on a Sunday afternoon with the family, enjoying freshly roasted vegetables straight from the farm to the table, along with homemade Southern-style fried chicken and waffles, is a simple but loving soul food. It’s a combination that not only satisfies the taste buds, but also invisibly conveys the emotion of home and the charm of tradition. Whether you are a lover of cooking or a wanderer looking for a taste of home, you can find your own happiness in this simple dish.
