Chicken & Waffles

A bit of spice from the hot honey butter sauce, crispness of the chicken, and fluffiness of the waffles make for a truly great Saturday brunch.

Growing up in Pennsylvania, Julian Ranallo never got the real, Southern fried chicken and waffle experience. So, the Pittsburgh-based home chef, food stylist, and photographer created his own recipe, one that captures that true, crispy fried chicken from down South. Paired with fluffy waffles and a spicy, sweet hot honey butter sauce, this recipe for chicken and waffles is of Julian's all-time brunch favorites.

Chicken & Waffles

For the Southern Fried Chicken Strips

Ingredients

3 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts

Vegetable Oil for frying

Buttermilk Brine

3 cups buttermilk

1 1/2 tbsp Kosher Salt

1/2 tbsp Garlic Powder

1/2 tbsp Onion Powder

1 tbsp Chili Powder

1 tsp Smoked Paprika

Instructions

Start the night before by cutting your chicken breasts into strips and removing any unwanted fat. Then, place them in a large bowl and cover them with buttermilk. Add in the spices for the brine, mix together well, and cover with plastic wrap. Place in the refrigerator overnight.

For the Hot Honey Butter Sauce:

1/4 Cup Honey

4 tbsp Unsalted Butter

1/2 tsp Chili Powder

Pinch of Kosher Salt

Instructions

Start the Hot Honey Butter Sauce by adding the honey, unsalted butter, chili powder, and salt to a small saucepot and whisking regularly. Bring it to a simmer for about 5 mins.

For the seasoned flour:

3 cups All-Purpose Flour

1/3 Cup Cornstarch

2 tsp Baking Powder

2 tsp Garlic Powder

2 tsp Kosher Salt

2 tsp Freshly Cracked Black Pepper

1 tsp Onion Powder

For the waffles:

Makes about 6

2 Large Eggs

2 Cups All-Purpose Flour

1 3/4 Cups Whole Milk

1/2 Cup Vegetable Oil

1 tbsp Sugar

4 tsp Baking Powder

1/4 tsp Salt

1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract

To assemble

Once your chicken has sat overnight, season your flour. In a large bowl add in the flour & spices and mix well.

In a nonstick frying pan add vegetable oil, about 1/2 inch high, and heat over medium to high heat. While your oil is heating up, start getting your waffles ready. Preheat the waffle iron, then beat the eggs in a large bowl until fluffy. Then, beat in the flour, milk, vegetable oil, sugar, baking powder, salt, and vanilla, until smooth.

Now, take the strips of chicken from the brine, one at a time, letting the excess drip off, and place them in the bowl with the flour mixture and make sure to cover the entire chicken strip. Then, transfer them into the hot oil. Cook 4-5 in the pan at a time, about 5-6 mins on each side until golden brown. Once done, place each piece on a wire rack and repeat until all chicken strips are cooked.

While frying the chicken strips, spray the waffle iron with nonstick spray and place scoop about 1/4 cup of waffle mix into the iron. Let cook to your desired darkness. (Golden brown takes about 4-5 mins).

Once everything is done, stack up your waffles, top ‘em with some chicken, drizzle with the hot honey butter sauce, and enjoy!