Chicken and Waffles

Ingredients

• 2 lbbone-in chicken pieces$7.13
• 2 cupbuttermilk$1.26
• 2 cupall-purpose flour$0.45
• 2 cupwaffle mix$2.01
• 2 eachlarge eggs$0.96
• 1.5 cupwhole milk$0.47
• 4 cupvegetable oil for frying$4.19
• 0.5 cupmaple syrup$2.62
• 2 tspkosher salt$0.02
• 1 tspblack pepper$0.10
• 1 tsppaprika$0.10
• 1 tspgarlic powder$0.02
• Total for 4 servings$19.33

Most of the cost is bone-in chicken pieces ($7.13) and vegetable oil for frying ($4.19). With oil, spices and staples already at home, the shop drops to about $11.95. Prices are estimated for the amount used, at average US grocery prices (November 2026).

Steps

1. In a wide dish or bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, 1 teaspoon of the kosher salt, and half the black pepper. Submerge the bone-in chicken pieces into the buttermilk mixture, cover, and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
2. In a shallow bowl, whisk the all-purpose flour, paprika, garlic powder, remaining 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and remaining black pepper. In another bowl, whisk the waffle mix, large eggs, and whole milk until smooth.
3. Preheat a waffle maker over medium heat according to manufacturer directions. Ladle the batter into the iron in batches and cook for 3 to 5 minutes per waffle until golden and crisp, keeping cooked waffles warm on a plate covered loosely with foil.
4. Heat the vegetable oil for frying in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (180°C). Remove chicken pieces from the marinade, allowing excess to drain off, and dredge thoroughly in the seasoned flour until evenly coated.
5. Fry the chicken pieces in batches in the hot oil over medium heat for 12 to 15 minutes, turning occasionally, until the coating turns deep golden brown and the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F (74°C) with juices running clear.
6. Transfer the fried chicken to a wire rack set over a baking sheet to drain for 3 minutes to keep the crust crisp.
7. Set warm waffles on plates, top each with fried chicken pieces, and drizzle with maple syrup before serving.