Creating Southern Fried Chicken and Waffles can be straightforward if you follow the steps below:

For the Fried Chicken

1. Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine the buttermilk, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne. Submerge the chicken in the buttermilk mixture, cover, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (up to overnight for best results).

2. Prepare for Frying: In another bowl, mix together the flour, salt, and black pepper. Remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing excess liquid to drip off. Dredge the chicken pieces in the flour mixture until completely coated, shaking off any excess.

3. Heat the Oil: In a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven, heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it registers 350°F (175°C) on a thermometer.

4. Fry the Chicken: Carefully place the coated chicken pieces in the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for about 12-15 minutes on each side or until golden brown and cooked through. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).

5. Drain: Once cooked, transfer the fried chicken to a wire rack set over a baking sheet to drain excess oil.

For the Waffles

1. Preheat Waffle Iron: Preheat your waffle iron according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

3. Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until well combined.

4. Combine Mixtures: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined. Be cautious not to overmix; some lumps are okay.

5. Cook the Waffles: Lightly grease the preheated waffle iron. Pour the batter into the waffle iron according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Cook until the waffles are golden brown and crisp.

6. Keep Warm: Transfer the cooked waffles to a warm oven (about 200°F or 93°C) to keep them warm while cooking the rest.