Preparing the Chicken:

1. Marinate the Chicken:
   In a large bowl, mix the buttermilk, hot sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, thyme, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken thighs or breasts to the bowl and coat them in the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours, to allow the flavors to meld.

2. Prepare the Dredging Station:
   In a shallow dish, whisk together the flour, baking powder, paprika, garlic powder, and salt. This will create a seasoned coating for the chicken.

3. Heat the Oil:
   Heat vegetable oil in a deep frying pan or Dutch oven to about 350°F (175°C). Make sure there is enough oil to submerge the chicken halfway.

4. Coat the Chicken:
   Once the chicken has marinated, remove each piece from the buttermilk mixture, allowing excess marinade to drip off. Dredge the chicken thoroughly in the seasoned flour, pressing down to ensure an even coating.

5. Fry the Chicken:
   Carefully place the coated chicken into the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry the chicken for about 7-8 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy, and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). Once fried, transfer the chicken to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

Making the Waffles:

6. Prepare the Waffle Batter:
   In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon (if using). In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract.

7. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
   Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; lumps are okay.

8. Preheat the Waffle Iron:
   Preheat your waffle iron according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Lightly grease the iron with cooking spray or brush with melted butter.

9. Cook the Waffles:
   Pour an appropriate amount of batter onto the waffle iron (depending on the size of your waffle maker) and cook according to the waffle iron’s instructions, usually for about 3-5 minutes, until golden brown and crispy on the outside.

Assembling and Serving:

10. Serve the Chicken & Waffles:
    To serve, place one or two waffles on a plate and top them with a piece of crispy fried chicken. Drizzle generously with maple syrup and add honey or fresh fruit, if desired.