Chicken n' Waffles

Not sure where this itch to make Chicken and Waffles came from, but I sure am glad I decided to give it a whirl! While the dish may sound a little odd, it's actually the perfect blend of sweet and spicy. It's a savory dish that qualifies as breakfast, lunch, or dinner!

Oven-fried chicken

Ingredients:

Buttermilk

2 Egg whites

Chicken tenders (or breasts)

All purpose flour (white lily) about a cup 

Self rising cornmeal (white lily) about 1/2 cup

Salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, "Slap Ya Mama" Cajun spice :-)

Preheat oven 425 degrees. 

Step 1: combine buttermilk and egg whites. 

Step 2: Add several pieces of chicken and let soak in fridge Atleast 30 minutes (I used Springer Mountain frozen chicken tenders, thawed, of course). 

Step 3: Meanwhile, combine flour, cornmeal, and spices in gallon ziplock bag. 

Step 4: dredge Chicken in flour mix, one piece at a time, and toss until coated well. 

Step 5: line baking sheet with foil and spray generously with cooking spray. Step 6: Place chicken on pan and lightly coat top with cooking spray. 

Step 7: Bake 30 minutes then flip chicken and bake another 20 minutes. 

Step 8: to crisp the chicken, set oven to broil during the last minute or 2 of baking, flipping chicken once to get even crisp on both sides. 

While you let the chicken bake, you will make the maple gravy AND (if you are "all that and a bag of chips"), the waffles (however, I totally cheated and used frozen waffles!) 

Maple Gravy 

3 Tbsp butter

3 Tbsp Gold Medal Wondra quick mixing flour (this was new to me, but I think it really makes a difference! It dissolves much better than all-purpose)

1 3/4 c chicken stock (not broth)

Salt, pepper

1/2 c pure dark maple syrup 

Cinnamon and sugar, pinch of each

Step 1: heat butter over med high heat in cast iron pan. 

Step 2: add Wondra flour and stir constantly, about 2 minutes, until golden brown. 

Step 3: slowly whisk in stock. Bring to boil over med high heat stirring constantly for about 10 minutes. 

Step 4: reduce hear to simmer and add salt, pepper, syrup, cinnamon, sugar. Mix well. 

Assembly

Toast up that waffle(s), add chicken tenders atop, drizzle with maple gravy. Savor every last bite :-)