Fried chicken and waffles with syrup for lunch. Because who decided this was only a breakfast thing? High calorie, high satisfaction, no time restrictions.
Mix buttermilk, salt, black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder in a large bowl and immerse chicken thighs, marinating for at least 30 minutes.
Pour vegetable oil into a deep skillet and heat to 350°F; maintain steady high heat for frying.
Remove chicken from marinade, dredge in flour, and fry pieces, turning occasionally until golden and fully cooked, about 12–15 minutes per batch.
While chicken cooks, prepare waffles: Mix waffle mix, milk, eggs, and melted butter until smooth; cook in a preheated waffle iron until crisp and browned.
Plate hot waffles, top with fried chicken, and drizzle generously with maple syrup. Serve immediately to preserve crisp textures.