Buttermilk-Brined Southern Fried Chicken & Waffles

Ingredients:

For the Chicken:

• 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 1 Tbsp Kosher salt
• 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1 ½ cups buttermilk
• 3 large eggs
• 1 Tbsp hot sauce
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 tsp Kosher salt
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• Canola or vegetable oil  

For the Sauce:

• 8 Tbsp (1 stick) unsalted butter
• 2 Tbsp honey
• 1 ½-2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp sweet paprika
• ½ tsp chili powder
• ½ tsp Kosher salt
• ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper

For the Waffles:

• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 Tbsp baking powder
• 3 Tbsp sugar
• ½ tsp Kosher salt
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 cups buttermilk
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs, separated
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

For Serving:

• Maple syrup
• Pickle slices

Instructions:

Prepare the Chicken:

1. Marinate: Pat chicken dry, cut into strips, and marinate in a mixture of salt, pepper, and buttermilk for 2 hours.
2. Dredge: Create a breading station with flour, buttermilk, and flour. Dip chicken strips in this order, shaking off excess.
3. Fry: Heat oil to 350°F (175°C) and fry chicken in batches until golden brown and cooked through.

Make the Hot Sauce:

1. Combine: Melt butter in a saucepan and add honey, cayenne, garlic powder, paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
2. Coat: Brush the cooked chicken with the hot sauce.

Make the Waffles:

1. Prepare Batter: Whisk dry ingredients together. In a separate bowl, whisk wet ingredients together. Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Combine wet and dry ingredients, then gently fold in egg whites.
2. Cook: Heat waffle iron and pour batter. Cook according to instructions.

Serve: Serve the crispy chicken and waffles with maple syrup and pickles.

Tips:

• Adjust spice level: Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper in the hot sauce to your desired heat level.
• Waffle variations: Experiment with different flavors like chocolate chip or blueberry waffles.
• Side dishes: Serve with a side of coleslaw or fries.
• Leftovers: Store leftover chicken and waffles separately in airtight containers. Reheat the chicken in the oven or air fryer.

Enjoy your delicious meal!