• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Belgian Waffle Recipes

  • Home
  • Belgian Waffle Recipes
  • Belgian Waffle Blog

Chicken and waffles – A dish with star quality

By

Chicken and waffles is undoubtedly an unusual combination, and it’s one of the most popular culinary treats today. This fusion of perfectly seasoned chicken with crispy skin, fluffy, light Belgian waffles coated in salty melted butter, and finished with a drizzle of sweet, warm maple syrup is irresistible. It’s commonly held that the trend for chicken and waffles began in the 1930s when Well’s restaurant in New York’s Harlem served their signature dish to stars and celebrities who adored this eat anytime dish. However, chicken and waffles originated long before the 20th century and the history of the dish is almost as interesting as its unique and fabulous flavor.

Chicken and waffles – the wonder years

Although it’s difficult to pinpoint the precise origins of the dish, many people believe that Thomas Jefferson’s purchase of a French waffle iron in the 1790s was responsible for starting the craze for waffles in the US. Pilgrims brought a basic form of waffles to what was then New Amsterdam when they emigrated via Holland in the 1600s. Yet others are of a mind that the dish was brought to the northern states after the Civil War when African Americans migrated from the south, bringing their delicious soul food style chicken which they served with waffles. It seems likely that the dish has been around in some form for several centuries, and in Pennsylvania and the north-eastern states a variation of chicken and waffles made with pulled chicken and gravy is still common today.

Evolution – how the delicious dish we know came into being

Soul food style fried chicken combined with light, crisp, sweet Belgian Waffles is the recipe that is predominant today, and the one served in restaurants such as Roscoes and Gladys & Ron’s. Fried chicken recipes could certainly be found in the US by the 17th century, and first lady Martha Washington had a couple in her collection. The pairing of chicken with waffles was timely, and this great dish continued to evolve as more and more people came under its delicious spell. By the 1930s chicken and waffles were served in Harlem restaurants like Wells Supper Club, where stars like Gladys Knight came to dine on their favorite treat.

southern-fried chicken and waffles

Soul food style fried chicken combined with light, crisp, sweet Belgian Waffles is the recipe that is predominant today.

A dish with star quality

Gladys Knight loved the dish that she ate at Wells Supper Club so much that she was inspired to open her restaurant, Gladys and Ron’s Chicken and Waffles Concept. The demand for delicate Belgian waffles with chicken looks set to continue, and new forms of the dish are being created all the time. For instance, at Melba’s Restaurant in New York’s Harlem, you can try buttermilk fried chicken on eggnog waffles with strawberry butter. It may sound like a crazy combination, but Melba’s unique recipe beat a top chef in a famous TV challenge. Chicken with Belgian waffles is a taste explosion that is hard to beat, and it’s a satisfying alternative to traditional meals that can be enjoyed at any time of the day.

Filed Under: Belgian Waffle Recipes Blog Tagged With: Savory

Previous Post: « 5 Creative uses for your waffle maker
Next Post: Festive Belgian waffle ideas for the holidays & seasons »

Primary Sidebar

Our Favorites

Herby fried chicken and Belgian waffles with Chipotle maple syrup

For this special waffle topping, we borrowed from the Pennsylvania Dutch way of serving waffles with stewed chicken. Everyone will love the sweet, spicy and crispy combination of the herbed fried chicken and Chipotle flavored maple syrup with the waffles.

Low carb Belgian waffles with apple and cinnamon

Indulge in these filling and fluffy Belgian waffles even if you are counting the carbs. This delicious low carb Belgian waffle recipe with apple and cinnamon uses beaten eggs for a light and airy texture and oat flour to cut the carbs.

Whole-wheat Belgian waffles (no eggs) with mangoes and minty raspberry sauce

This egg-less Belgian waffle recipe is a twist on all the classic ripe and tangy mango with sweet raspberry desserts we love, made into a topping for healthy egg-less whole-wheat Belgian waffles. The minty raspberry sauce is best homemade. You can add a dusting of sugar over the fruit if you like.

Cheesy egg and turkey Belgian waffle muffin

A breakfast of egg, turkey and cheese stuffed waffle muffin with the herby goodness of rosemary. Serve some pineapples to add a greater depth of flavor.

Belgian waffle recipe with bacon, hollandaise and poached eggs

This Belgian waffle recipe with bacon is a terrific brunch or pick me up. It’s filling, tasty and simple to make, and is best served with hot, strong coffee or a good Blood Mary.

See More →

Copyright © 2025 Belgian Waffle Recipes by Aria