Fried Chicken and Waffles

Ingredients

BRINE

• 1 lb chicken tenderloin
• 4 cups water
• 1/4 cup kosher salt

Chicken Tenders

• 1 1/4 cup self-rising flour
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoon sea salt or seasoned salt
• 1 teaspoon cajun seasoning
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon parsley
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup buttermilk
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 tablespoon fresh parsley

Buttermilk Waffles

• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 2-3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 2 eggs, divided (yolks & whites separated)
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• softened butter, for brushing
• Maple syrup

Instructions 

Brine the Chicken

1. Add water and salt to a large bowl and stir until the salt has dissolved.
2. Add the chicken, cover, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
3. Drain and dry off the chicken with paper towels and set aside until ready to use.

Prepare the chicken

1. In a large bowl or shallow dish, whisk together flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, salt, cajun seasoning, black pepper, paprika, and dried parsley.
2. Remove ½ cup of the flour mixture and place it into another large bowl or shallow dish.
3. To this bowl, mix in egg, buttermilk, and water until the mixture looks like a batter.
4. To coat the chicken, first, dip it into the dry flour mixture and coat lightly.
5. Next dip it onto the batter mixture, coating completely and letting the excess drip off.
6. Next, place the chicken back into the dry flour mixture and coat completely.
7. Place the chicken on a wire rack and when all of them have been coated, recoat each one again in the dry flour only.
8. Heat oil to 350 F. and fry each tender until golden and cooked through.
9. Place chicken on a wire rack over a baking sheet to drain. Immediately sprinkle with fresh parsley.
10. Place chicken into a 250 F. oven to keep it warm while you prepare the waffles.

Make The Waffles

1. In a large bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, sugar salt.
2. Make a well in the center of the bowl and add whole milk, buttermilk, egg yolks, melted butter, oil, and vanilla extract.
3. Stir together using a rubber spatula just until combined. (batter should be a little lumpy)
4. Place egg whites into a large bowl and mix until they are firm and can hold stiff peaks.
5. Gently fold the egg whites into the batter until combined. Let batter rest while the waffle iron is heating.
6. Cooked the waffles according to your waffle irons instructions.
7. When waffles are done place them on a wire rack (do not stack) and immediately brush them with softened butter
8. Immediately plate the waffles and top with the chicken. Add a generous amount of syrup and serve immediately.