I could actually wax poetic over fried chicken. It is so amazing but something we don't enjoy on a regular basis. We do make a mean baked "fried" chicken but it just doesn't have that same decadent crunch without the frying. Once you pair the chicken with some waffles, it becomes the ultimate in comfort food.
We put our own spin on this, as usual. We swapped out the regular waffle with a cornbread waffle. We also added a corn relish and a drizzle of hot honey. You've got to try this!!!
INGREDIENTS
For the chicken soak:
2 c buttermilk
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 T onion powder
1 1/2 t black pepper
1 T salt
For the Waffles:
2 T butter, melted
2 c buttermilk
2 eggs
1 c cornmeal
1 c flour
1 t baking powder
1/4 c sugar
For the relish:
1 1/2 c corn kernels
1 1/2 c jalapeño, diced
3 T red onion
2 T red pepper, diced
1/4 t oregano
1/4 t thyme
1 t salt
Chicken coating:
1 c flour
1 t salt
1 t pepper
1 t garlic salt
2 T parsley
1 t onion powder
1 t oregano
3 # chicken thighs cut into wide strips
Hot honey
2 quarts oil for frying
DIRECTIONS 1. Mix the chicken soak ingredients together, add chicken and let marinate 2-8 hours. 2. Mix together the relish ingredients, set aside. 3. Heat a mini waffle maker (or full size and cut waffles into quarters) Beat the melted butter, buttermilk, baking powder, and eggs together until completely combined. Add flour and cornmeal and stir until just combined. Pour into waffle maker and cook until golden (about 3 minutes). 4. Mix together chicken coating. Remove chicken from buttermilk and coat in flour mixture. You should rub the flour into the chicken thoroughly almost like you are giving it a massage. 5. Heat oil in a Dutch oven to 350. Drop chicken into oil and fry until golden brown. Put a waffle on the plate, top with chicken and corn relish. Drizzle hot honey over top.