Ultimate Southern Fried Chicken & Macaroni and Cheese Waffles: A Decadent Recipe

Prepare your taste buds for an unparalleled culinary adventure! We’re diving deep into the realm of ultimate comfort food with a revolutionary twist on the beloved Southern Fried Chicken and Waffles. Forget traditional waffles; in this extraordinary recipe, we elevate the experience by transforming creamy, dreamy macaroni and cheese into crispy, savory waffle masterpieces. This isn’t just a meal; it’s a symphony of textures and flavors – the crunchy, succulent fried chicken, the gooey, cheesy interior of the mac waffles, and that irresistible golden cheddar syrup tying it all together. From the very first bite, you’ll understand why this dish is an instant favorite. And seriously, do NOT hold back on that Golden Cheddar Syrup; it’s so incredibly delicious, you’ll be tempted to sip it straight from a straw!

This post was first published August 23, 2020, and was last updated March 15, 2021.

This recipe represents the pinnacle of indulgence, offering the most decadent way to savor the classic combination of chicken and waffles. We take it over the top by crafting waffles from unbelievably cheesy mac n’ cheese, creating a dish that is truly a culinary marvel. The effort involved is comparable to making homemade waffles, requiring you to simply boil pasta and whisk together a rich cheese sauce. While the process might result in a slightly messy waffle iron, rest assured that once it cools, it cleans up effortlessly. The small amount of extra effort is unequivocally worth it for the extraordinary experience you’ll create!

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Use the JUMP TO RECIPE button at the top of the post, or scroll to the bottom of the post to see the full recipe card with ingredient measurements and instructions.

The Ultimate Southern Fried Chicken

The foundation of this epic dish begins with undeniably the best Southern Fried Chicken you’ll ever sink your teeth into. The secret to its unparalleled tenderness and juicy flavor lies in a generous, extended buttermilk marinade. We let our chicken pieces luxuriate in a spiced buttermilk brine for at least a day, ideally even up to three days. This isn’t just about adding flavor; the lactic acid in the buttermilk works wonders, tenderizing the chicken fibers while simultaneously infusing it with incredible moisture and a complex blend of spices like paprika, cayenne, garlic, and onion powder. The longer the soak, the more profound the flavor and tenderness, ensuring every bite is moist and flavorful.

The buttermilk brine is a game-changer, not only tenderizing the chicken but also locking in moisture, guaranteeing that each piece remains incredibly juicy even after frying. When in doubt, extending the marinating time will always yield superior results. Once perfectly marinated, the process couldn’t be simpler. The chicken is gently removed from its buttermilk bath, allowing any excess to drip off, then tossed directly into a perfectly seasoned flour and cornstarch blend, which creates that desirable crispy coating. No double-dipping, no fuss – just a straightforward breading that adheres beautifully.

This simple breading process makes getting this fried chicken on the table incredibly easy and quick. In mere minutes, these golden-brown pieces emerge from the hot oil, crispy on the outside, incredibly tender and juicy on the inside, ready to crown your extraordinary mac and cheese waffles. This chicken alone is a showstopper, far surpassing any takeout option, and when paired with our innovative waffles and drizzled with that incredible cheddar cheese syrup, it creates a dish that is truly unforgettable and undeniably delicious!

The Golden Cheddar “Syrup” (aka Irresistible Cheese Sauce)

While the fried chicken sets a high bar, the true star of this innovative dish, especially for the macaroni and cheese waffles, is the luxurious Golden Cheddar ‘Syrup’ – a cheese sauce so sublime, it earns the title of syrup. Its velvety smooth texture and rich, tangy flavor are absolutely essential. To achieve this perfection, the quality of your cheese is paramount. I wholeheartedly recommend investing in a premium block of extra sharp cheddar, such as Tillamook. The ‘extra sharp’ distinction is crucial here; while it might be intense on its own, its bold flavor mellows beautifully when incorporated into the sauce with milk and roux, preventing it from tasting bland.

Crucially, always opt for a whole block of cheese and shred it yourself. Pre-shredded cheeses contain anti-caking agents that can leave your sauce grainy and prevent it from reaching that silky, smooth consistency we crave. The sauce itself is built upon a classic roux, where butter and flour are cooked together to form a thickening base, followed by whole milk and a hint of hot sauce for a subtle kick. Whisked until thick and glossy, this cheese sauce is divided: a generous portion coats the macaroni noodles, while the remaining, equally tempting portion is reserved to be drizzled generously over the finished chicken and mac waffles. This golden elixir is so good, you’ll find yourself looking for excuses to enjoy it by the spoonful – or yes, even with a straw! If you’re looking to reduce your workload, you could purchase pre-fried chicken, but this Golden Cheddar Syrup is non-negotiable for the complete experience.

The Macaroni and Cheese Waffle: A Culinary Innovation

Now for the truly ingenious component: the Macaroni and Cheese Waffle. Once your incredible Golden Cheddar Syrup is prepared and has coated your perfectly cooked elbow macaroni noodles, the magic begins. It’s vital to allow your macaroni and cheese to cool sufficiently before attempting to waffle it. This cooling process helps the macaroni set, giving it the necessary structure to form a cohesive waffle. Without it, you’d end up with a sticky, unmanageable mess. This extra step ensures a perfectly formed, crispy-on-the-outside, gooey-on-the-inside waffle that will hold its shape beautifully.

When you’re ready to transform your mac and cheese, preheat your waffle iron to its highest setting. This high heat is key to achieving that desirable crispy exterior. Before adding the macaroni, sprinkle a generous layer of reserved shredded cheddar cheese directly onto the bottom plate of the hot waffle iron. This cheese acts as a flavorful, natural non-stick layer and contributes significantly to the waffle’s crispy crust. Next, scoop about 1 ½ to 2 cups of the sauced macaroni onto the cheese layer, then top with another sprinkle of shredded cheese before closing the lid firmly. The patience required during cooking is paramount; resist the urge to peek! Let the waffle cook undisturbed for at least 5 minutes. This allows the cheese to melt, crisp up, and essentially ‘glue’ the macaroni together, creating a stable waffle that will release easily. You’ll know it’s ready when the iron opens without resistance and at least one side of the waffle lifts cleanly. Gently remove the golden, crispy mac and cheese waffle, which may need a little encouragement if it sticks slightly. The result is a wonderfully textured waffle – crispy on the outside, incredibly creamy and cheesy on the inside – providing the perfect foundation for your fried chicken and an extra drizzle of that irresistible cheddar syrup. Enjoy this unique twist on a classic comfort meal!

Expert Notes & Tips for Perfection

To truly master this Southern Fried Chicken and Macaroni and Cheese Waffles recipe, here are some crucial notes and tips to guide you to perfection:

• Optimal Chicken Brining: For chicken that’s exceptionally tender and bursting with flavor, do not rush the buttermilk brine. Marinating overnight, or even for up to two full days, is transformative. The extended soak allows the buttermilk’s acidity to tenderize the meat thoroughly and ensures the seasonings fully penetrate, resulting in incredibly moist and flavorful fried chicken.
• Fresh Sauce is Best: The Golden Cheddar Syrup performs optimally when made fresh and warm. Its smooth, velvety consistency is at its peak right after preparation. Thankfully, it can be whipped up in the same amount of time it takes to boil the pasta, making it easy to synchronize. Keep any reserved “syrup” warm over very low heat on the stovetop while you’re cooking your waffles to maintain its perfect drizzling consistency.
• Leftover Mac & Cheese Waffles: Don’t let leftover macaroni and cheese go to waste! It can be repurposed into delicious waffles even when cold from the fridge. Simply form a patty with the cold mac and cheese in your hand, then place it in a preheated waffle iron. Add a sprinkle of extra shredded cheese on both sides before closing the lid to ensure a crisp, golden finish.
• Enjoy Fresh, Reheat Smart: While this dish is undeniably best enjoyed immediately after preparation, both the fried chicken and mac waffles can be made ahead of time. To reheat, use a toaster oven or a conventional oven. This method preserves the crispness far better than a microwave, which can make things soggy. Heat until thoroughly warm, then serve with a fresh drizzle of reheated cheddar syrup.
• Reheating Cheddar Syrup: If your reserved cheddar syrup cools and thickens, gently warm it in a saucepan over low heat or in the microwave on a low setting, stirring frequently. Should the sauce appear to ‘split’ or separate, a quick fix is to return it to a blender with a splash of cold milk and blend until it regains its smooth, emulsified consistency.
• Waffle Iron Clean-Up: Yes, making mac and cheese waffles can be a bit messy. However, once your waffle iron cools, any stuck-on cheese or mac bits will harden and can be easily scraped off or wiped clean. A little extra effort is absolutely worth the incredible result!

Follow these expert tips and you are well on your way to creating the best Southern Fried Chicken and Macaroni and Cheese Waffles you’ve ever tasted, ensuring a memorable meal every time.

Versatile Substitutions for Your Perfect Dish

This recipe offers a unique take on a classic, but it’s also wonderfully adaptable to your preferences. Here are some thoughtful substitutions to help you customize this decadent meal:

• Alternative Waffle Base: While our mac and cheese waffle is the star of this particular dish, if you’re craving a more traditional Chicken and Waffles experience, feel free to serve the incredible Southern Fried Chicken over a classic sweet waffle, whether homemade from scratch or even a quality frozen variety. The chicken is exceptional enough to stand on its own as a main attraction!
• Customizing Chicken Seasonings: The provided chicken seasoning blend is robust and creates an amazing flavor profile, particularly with the paprika and garlic acting as key players. However, feel empowered to customize it to your liking! Adjust the heat with more or less cayenne pepper, experiment with different varieties of smoked paprikas for a deeper flavor, or add a pinch of your favorite poultry herbs like thyme or sage to truly make it your own signature fried chicken.
• Exploring Cheese Varieties for the Sauce: The Golden Cheddar Syrup is divine with extra sharp cheddar, but the beauty of a cheese sauce is its incredible versatility. The foundational roux and milk base will work beautifully with almost any good melting cheese. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different varieties such as white cheddar for a milder flavor, nutty Gruyère, creamy Fontina, or even a spicy pepper jack if you enjoy an extra kick. I’ve personally achieved fantastic results with Parmesan and Gouda, so feel free to explore your cheesy preferences and discover new favorite combinations!
• Gluten-Free Adaptations: To make this entire decadent meal completely gluten-free, it’s remarkably simple. For the macaroni and cheese waffles, simply opt for your favorite gluten-free elbow macaroni noodles. They cook just like regular pasta and hold up exceptionally well when waffled. For the fried chicken, substitute the all-purpose flour in the breading with a “cup for cup” gluten-free flour blend, or use gluten-free panko bread crumbs for an extra crispy coating that mimics traditional breading textures. You won’t sacrifice any flavor or texture with these easy swaps!

More Cheesy Goodness to Explore

If you’ve loved the cheesy elements of this recipe, be sure to check out these other fantastic cheesy creations:

Artichoke Three Cheese Dip: A Rich and Creamy Appetizer

My Version of Joanna Gaines’ 1919 Pimento Cheese: A Southern Delicacy

Gluten-Free Mac and Cheese (Instant Pot): Quick, Easy & Delicious

Buffalo Chicken Cheese Dip: The Ultimate Party Pleaser

Did you make this unforgettable recipe? Let me know your thoughts by leaving a review or comment below! And be sure to sign up for my newsletter to get more incredible recipes delivered straight to your inbox, and follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook for daily inspiration and delicious ideas!

📖 Recipe

Yield: 8-10 Servings

Southern Fried Chicken and Macaroni & Cheese Waffles

Prep Time:
45 minutes

Cook Time:
30 minutes

Chicken Brining Time:
2 days

Total Time:
2 days 1 hour 15 minutes

This is my take on Southern Fried Chicken and Waffles but with waffles made of Mac n’ Cheese. If you follow the recipe fully I can almost guarantee love at first bite. And don’t skimp on the Golden Cheddar Syrup, you’ll want to drink that with a straw!

Ingredients

for the chicken:

• 2.5-3 lb Chicken Breast Tenders
• 2 cups Buttermilk
• 1 tablespoon Kosher Salt
• 1 teaspoon Black Pepper
• 2 teaspoons Hot Paprika
• ½ teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
• ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
• ½ teaspoon Onion Powder
• 2 cups All-Purpose Flour
• 2 tablespoons Cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon Kosher Salt
• 1 tablespoon Black Pepper
• ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
• Corn Oil, for frying

for the waffle:

• 1 pound Elbow Macaroni Noodles
• Kosher salt
• 4 tablespoons Unsalted Butter
• 2 tablespoons All-Purpose Flour
• 2 ½ cups Whole Milk
• Dash hot sauce
• 4 cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese, + 2 cups for cooking waffles

Instructions

for the chicken:

1. The night before, combine the chicken pieces, buttermilk, salt, pepper, paprika, cayenne, garlic & onion powders, in an airtight container. Toss the chicken in the buttermilk and place in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours, up to 48 hours. This is great to get done up to 2 days ahead of time.
2. To bread the chicken prepared the breading in a shallow dish by combining the flour, cornstarch, salt and pepper, and garlic powder stir to evenly combine.
3. Heat 2-inches of oil in a 12 inch cast iron skillet or deep heavy-bottomed pan to 325˚f.
4. Remove the chicken from the buttermilk soak and dip it into the flour. Flip it a couple of times pressing the flour into each piece of chicken coating it well. Gently place each piece into the hot oil. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side. Remove from the oil and place on a wire rack or paper towel-lined platter. Sprinkle with a little bit of kosher salt.

for the waffle:

1. Put a large pot of water on the stove over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Cook the macaroni noodles to package directions. While the pasta is cooking start the sauce.
2. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Then add the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 2-3 minutes, forming a roux. Add in the milk and whisk until it comes to a boil and thickens slightly. Reduce the heat to low and add in a few dashes of hot sauce and the cheese, reserving some for making into waffles. Whisk until melted and well combined.
3. Reserve 1 to 1 ½ cups of the sauce for topping the waffles when serving. Place the cooked pasta in the sauce and stir to combine.
4. When you are ready to make the waffles, preheat your waffle iron, and if it has an adjustable heat setting turn it all the way up! Sprinkle some of the reserved cheese on the bottom of the hot iron and place 1 ½ to 2 cups of the sauced macaroni in the waffle iron, then top with some more shredded cheese and close the lid. Let the waffle cook for about 5 minutes, it is important not to open the lid for at least 5 minutes so the cheese has time to crisp and begin to release from the iron. When the iron will open easily and at least one side of the waffle will release, it is usually the bottom, open the iron and remove the waffle. It sticks a little sometimes but should come off with just a little encouragement.
5. Top the hot waffle with a few pieces of the fried chicken and the reserved cheese sauce. Enjoy!

Notes

Notes & Tips

For the most tender and flavorful chicken, be sure to soak it in the buttermilk and seasonings overnight, or even for a day or two before cooking. This will keep the chicken tender and moist when fried, and pack it with tons of flavor.

Be sure to make the sauce FRESH. It performs best when it is new and hasn’t cooled down. It can be made in the time it takes for the pasta to boil so there is no problem whipping it together right when you need it. Hold the reserved “syrup” on LOW heat in a small saucepan on the stove while you make your waffles.

If you have leftover macaroni and cheese, you can make waffles with it directly out of the fridge. I have done this and I simply make a little macaroni patty in my hand and place it in the hot waffle iron with a little cheese on both sides for crisping.

As with most things, this is best when made and enjoyed fresh. But both the chicken and waffles can be made ahead of time. To warm them up, reheat in a toaster oven or regular oven the same way you might warm a frozen waffle. When warm serve with more sauce.

To reheat cooled cheddar syrup: gently warm the syrup in a pot on the stove over low heat, or on a low setting in the microwave. If the sauce splits, toss it back in the blender with a splash of cold milk and blend until smooth.

Follow these tips and you are on your way to the best Southern Fried Chicken and Waffles you’ve ever tasted.

Substitutions

For me, this recipe is all about the waffle, but if you wanted a more traditional Chicken and Waffles, you could serve this fried chicken over a classic waffle, or even a frozen one.

The chicken recipe may look long, but it is mostly seasonings, feel free to change those up to your liking, but the paprika and garlic are what makes this chicken AMAZING!

If you LOVE a different type of cheese, the sauce recipe will work with any kind of cheese. Make it your own, I have used white cheddar, parmesan, and gouda to make this sauce, they are all fantastic.

To make this waffle recipe gluten-free by using your favorite gluten-free macaroni noodle. Make this chicken gluten-free replace the flour with a “cup for cup” gluten-free flour or gluten-free panko bread crumbs.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

1 grams

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 1517Total Fat: 86gSaturated Fat: 28gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 48gCholesterol: 248mgSodium: 4157mgCarbohydrates: 104gFiber: 4gSugar: 6gProtein: 82g

This is an estimated caloric value, actual numbers may differ based on the ingredients used.

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