How to Make the Perfect Red Velvet Chicken and Waffles
Southern American · Hard · 70 min · 4 servings
Deep red cocoa waffles topped with crispy buttermilk fried chicken and a tangy cream cheese glaze. This showstopping brunch dish combines Southern comfort food with a dramatic red velvet twist.
Why this recipe works
This Red Velvet Chicken and Waffles recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 70 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 780 calories with 42g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 9 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tbsp red food coloring
- 1.5 cups buttermilk
- 4 pieces boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup seasoned flour
- 4 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
Place chicken thighs in a bowl and cover with one cup of buttermilk. Add one teaspoon each of garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and hot sauce. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour or overnight for best results.
Step 2: Make the Red Velvet Waffle Batter
Whisk flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and a pinch of salt in a bowl. In another bowl combine buttermilk, two eggs, melted butter, red food coloring, and a teaspoon of vanilla. Fold wet ingredients into dry until just combined.
Step 3: Fry the Chicken
Heat oil in a deep skillet to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Dredge marinated chicken in seasoned flour and fry for six to eight minutes per side until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. Drain on a wire rack.
Step 4: Cook the Waffles
Preheat and grease the waffle iron. Ladle batter in and cook until the waffles are set and the iron releases steam less actively. The waffles should be deep red with crispy edges. Do not rush this step.
Step 5: Make the Glaze and Plate
Beat softened cream cheese and powdered sugar together with two tablespoons of milk until smooth and pourable. Place a waffle on each plate, top with a piece of fried chicken, and drizzle generously with the cream cheese glaze.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- red food coloring → beet powder for a natural color
- chicken thighs → chicken tenders for faster cooking
- cream cheese glaze → hot honey for a spicy sweet topping
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Skipping the buttermilk marinade which results in dry and bland fried chicken
- Frying chicken at the wrong oil temperature causing greasy undercooked or burnt results
- Under mixing the red food coloring into the batter leaving streaks in the finished waffles
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 780 calories, 42g protein, 72g carbs, 34g fat, 3g fiber.
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