Fried Chicken and Waffles

We've done this twice now and both times it was mouthwatering. I think the second time around was a bit better as Tamera used only chicken breasts and marinated them a tad longer than the first time. As for the waffles...I think they also tasted better the second time around...but that could be due to the chicken!

FOR THE CHICKEN RECIPE!!

• 3 cups buttermilk 

• ⅓ cup kosher salt

• 2 tablespoons sugar 

• 2 ½ – 3 pounds meaty chicken pieces (breast halves, thighs, and drumsticks) 

• 2 cups all-purpose flour 

• salt to taste

• black pepper to taste 

• Creole Seasoning 

• Smoked Paprika

• Garlic powder

• Onion powder

• Cooking oil 

Directions

• Step 1 For brine, in a resealable plastic bag set in a bowl combine the 3 cups buttermilk, the coarse salt, and sugar. Cut chicken breasts in half crosswise. Add all chicken pieces to the brine; seal bag. Turn bag to coat chicken with brine mixture. Chill for 2 to 4 hours; remove chicken from brine. Drain chicken; Discard brine. Season chicken to taste with Pepper,  garlic and  onion powder.

• Step 2 In a large bowl combine flour, smoked paprika and Creole seasoning. Roll the marinated chicken pieces in the flour, shaking off excess. Repeat with the rest of the chicken. Step 3 Meanwhile, in a deep, heavy Dutch oven or kettle, or a deep-fat fryer, heat oil to 350 degrees F. Using tongs carefully add a few pieces of chicken to Dutch oven. (Oil temperature will drop; maintain temperature at 325 degrees F.) Fry chicken for 12 to 15 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink (170 degrees F for breasts; 180 degrees F for thighs and drumsticks), and coating is golden, turning once. Drain on paper towels. Keep fried chicken warm in a 300 degree F oven while frying remaining chicken pieces. 

FOR THE WAFFLES

You can use a premix and then alter it by adding honey, cinnamon and vanilla extract. This is the from the scratch way!

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 Cups All Purpose Flour

• 1 Tablespoon Baking Powder

• 3 Tablespoons Sugar

• 1 Tablespoon of Vanilla Extract

• 1 Tablespoon of Honey

• 1/2 Teaspoon Salt

• 1 Tablespoon Cinnamon

• 2 Large Eggs

• 1/2 Cup Vegetable Oil

• 2 Cups Milk

Instructions

• Preheat your waffle iron, spray with non stick cooking spray

• In a large bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, and cinnamon.

• In a medium bowl beat the eggs, vegetable oil, milk, and vanilla extract.

• Add them all together and mix well.

• Pour the batter onto your hot waffle iron and cook according to manufacturer's recommendations...also make sure you don't overfill the waffle iron.