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 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 :-)
