Chicken and waffles, main dish from the United States: what it is and how it is eaten

Chicken and waffles is an American dish that pairs chicken—either fried or stewed—with waffles. It began with the Pennsylvania Dutch, who served stewed chicken and gravy over waffles, and later became popular in the Southern United States with fried chicken and sweet toppings. Today, it is found in soul food restaurants and is enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

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First appeared in Pennsylvania Dutch country in the 1600s
Pennsylvania Dutch style uses stewed chicken and gravy on waffles
Soul food version features fried chicken with butter and syrup
Popularized in Harlem, New York, in the 1930s
A specialty in cities like Baltimore and Los Angeles

What is Chicken and waffles?

Chicken and waffles is a dish where pieces of chicken, either fried or stewed, are served on top of a waffle. The Pennsylvania Dutch version uses pulled, stewed chicken with a plain waffle and covers it in savory gravy. The Southern and soul food style features fried chicken on a sweet waffle, often finished with butter and syrup. The dish brings together the crispiness of chicken with the soft, airy texture of waffles, creating a mix of savory and sweet flavors.

Where does Chicken and waffles come from?

The dish traces its roots to Pennsylvania Dutch country in the colonial era, where waffles were topped with stewed chicken and gravy. Waffles became popular in America after the 1600s, and by the 1800s, hotels near Philadelphia served them with fried catfish or chicken. The combination became a symbol of Pennsylvania Dutch Country by the late 19th century. The fried chicken and waffle pairing is linked to African American soul food, especially after the 1930s in Harlem, New York, and later in Los Angeles.

How is Chicken and waffles made?

To make chicken and waffles, a waffle is prepared, usually plain or slightly sweet. For the Pennsylvania Dutch style, chicken is boiled, shredded, and simmered in gravy before being spooned over the waffle. In the Southern version, chicken pieces are seasoned, battered, and deep-fried until crispy, then placed on the waffle. This version is commonly served with butter and maple syrup poured on top, blending sweet and savory elements.

Chicken and waffles with peaches and cream. Photo: arnold inuyaki, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

How and when is Chicken and waffles eaten?

Chicken and waffles can be eaten at breakfast, lunch, or dinner. In Pennsylvania Dutch tradition, it was often a Sunday meal. The Southern and soul food versions are popular in restaurants and sometimes at special occasions or festivals. The dish is usually served hot, sometimes with sides like peaches and cream for dessert. It can be enjoyed as a hearty meal, and is often shared with family or friends.

Kinds of Chicken and waffles

There are two main versions: the Pennsylvania Dutch style with stewed chicken and gravy, and the soul food version with fried chicken, butter, and syrup. Some places in Baltimore have their own local custom of serving the dish. Over time, restaurants have added their own twists, such as different toppings or sides, and it has become a specialty in certain cities like Los Angeles and Harlem.

What Chicken and waffles means

Chicken and waffles is tied to several American food traditions. It is a symbol of Pennsylvania Dutch cooking and a celebrated dish in African American soul food culture. The dish became famous in Harlem's jazz clubs in the 1930s and later in Los Angeles, where it is associated with celebrity culture. It is often seen as a special-occasion meal and has been referenced in music and literature.

Questions people ask about Chicken and waffles

What is chicken and waffles made of?

Chicken and waffles combines either fried or stewed chicken with a waffle. The Pennsylvania Dutch version uses stewed chicken and gravy, while the soul food style uses fried chicken, butter, and syrup.

Where did chicken and waffles originate?

The dish originated in Pennsylvania Dutch country in the United States during the colonial period. It later became popular in the Southern United States and in African American communities.

Is chicken and waffles a breakfast or dinner food?

Chicken and waffles can be eaten for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It is served at different times depending on the tradition and region.

What are the main regional styles of chicken and waffles?

The Pennsylvania Dutch style uses stewed chicken and gravy, while the Southern and soul food versions feature fried chicken with sweet toppings like butter and syrup.

How is chicken and waffles typically served?

It is served hot, with the chicken placed on top of the waffle. The soul food version is often finished with butter and syrup, while the Pennsylvania Dutch version is covered in savory gravy.

Good reading and sources

'Mildred Pierce' still one hot plateLos Angeles Times, Article

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Chicken and waffles", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes, and it is not dietary or allergy advice: recipes differ from cook to cook. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.

Chicken and waffles