Chicken and Waffles

Ingredients

• Chicken:
• 2 tablespoons kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons black pepper
• 1 tablespoon cayenne
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 1-1.5 lbs. chicken tenders
• 2 ¼ cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• oil for frying
• Waffles:
• 1 ½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 ½ cups buttermilk
• 4 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• cooking spray
• Grade A maple syrup

Instructions

1. 1For the chicken: In a large bowl, combine kosher salt, black pepper, cayenne, garlic powder, and onion powder.
2. 2Add buttermilk to the spice mixture and whisk together.
3. 3Add chicken tenders to the buttermilk mixture and coat thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
4. 4Heat oil in a deep fryer or large pot to 350°F.
5. 5Place flour in a shallow dish. Remove chicken from buttermilk mixture and dredge in flour, coating completely.
6. 6Carefully place chicken in hot oil and fry until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
7. 7For the waffles: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt, baking powder, and sugar.
8. 8In a separate bowl, beat eggs and add buttermilk, melted butter, and vanilla extract.
9. 9Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and mix until just combined (some lumps are okay).
10. 10Preheat waffle iron and spray with cooking spray.
11. 11Pour batter into waffle iron and cook according to manufacturer's instructions until golden brown.
12. 12Serve hot fried chicken on top of waffles, drizzled with Grade A maple syrup.