KFC’s Chicken & Waffles Make a Tasty Comeback After 5 Years

It’s taken five long years for KFC to bring its popular Chicken & Waffles back to restaurant menus just in time for Mother’s Day.

The sweet and savory food combination is currently available at KFC restaurants nationwide. The meal includes the company’s Original Recipe Fried Chicken paired with thick waffles and syrup, according to a press release.

“We believe Chicken & Waffles is an American icon. Flavorful, juicy and freshly fried secret recipe chicken, paired with sweet, golden waffles and gooey syrup — it’s bold, it’s delicious, and it’s back on our menu just in time for Mother’s Day!” said Catherine Tan-Gillespie, president of KFC U.S.

Additionally, the fast-food icon introduced Strawberry & Crème Pie Poppers with strawberry and cream filling in a flaky crust for a sweet ending to the meal. This dessert item is also currently available in stores.

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KFC continues to deliver value to its customers with deals that satisfy physical hunger and the desire to save money. Here are its latest promotions featuring this sweet and savory combination:

• $7 Tenders and Waffle Box: Three juicy and crispy Original Recipe Tenders, a Liège-style waffle, and Mrs. Butterworth’s syrup.
• $7 Two-Piece Fried Chicken and Waffle Box: A drumstick and thigh portion of chicken in a choice of Original Recipe or Extra Crispy, a Liège-style waffle, and syrup.
• $25 Chicken & Waffles Fan Favorites Box: Four pieces of fried chicken (or six tenders), 12 KFC Nuggets, four Liège-style waffles, two individual fries, and your choice of four syrups or dipping sauces.
• $10 Tuesday with Tenders: KFC’s bestselling $10 Tuesday Deal introduces a new tenders option. On Tuesdays, customers can choose from eight Original Recipe tenders and four dipping sauces or eight pieces of classic fried chicken for only $10.

Plus, customers can earn double points on orders of Chicken & Waffles on the restaurant’s website or the KFC app when ordering the $7 or $25 Chicken & Waffles offers via KFC Rewards. There’s also the opportunity to purchase a BOGO eight-piece Chicken Bucket or eight-piece Tenders. However, only new KFC Reward Members can get this deal.

The restaurant states that Mother’s Day is one of its busiest ordering days of the year. It is reportedly KFC’s biggest day for online ordering and delivery as families look to give mom the day off from cooking.

KFC Reintroduces Chicken and Waffles, but What Are Its Origins?

Chicken and waffles may sound like an unlikely pair, but this beloved dish has a rich and layered history that dates back several centuries. While it is believed the dish has its roots in African American communities, the earliest known American version came from the Pennsylvania Dutch in the 1600s, per The York Daily Record. This version was purely savory; no fried chicken, no syrup, and no sweet elements.

The sweet-and-savory pairing more familiar today — crispy fried chicken on fluffy waffles, often drizzled with syrup — originated in African American communities, particularly in Harlem during the 1930s. Wells Supper Club, a famous jazz-era restaurant, is widely credited with popularizing the modern version. It became a favorite among late-night performers and musicians who craved a mix of dinner and breakfast after their shows.

Chicken and waffles spread across the U.S., eventually becoming a staple in soul food cuisine. It found new popularity in the South and on the West Coast, where restaurants like Roscoe’s House of Chicken and Waffles in Los Angeles brought the dish to national attention.

These days, chicken and waffles are all about bringing bold flavors together, and people can’t get enough. Whether it’s showing up on brunch menus, at food festivals, or in home kitchens, this sweet and savory combo keeps winning fans of all ages. KFC adding it to its menu proves just how much customers love this one-of-a-kind pairing.