Crispy Fried Chicken & Belgian Waffles

Crispy Fried Chicken

Ingredients

• 6 chicken thighs

• 6 chicken drumsticks

• 3 cups buttermilk
  

• 1/2 cup Buffalo Hot Sauce optional

• 2 teaspoons salt

• 1 teaspoon pepper

Dredging Mixture

• 3 cups all-purpose flour

• 1/2 cup cornstarch

• 1 tablespoon salt

• 1 tablespoon paprika

• 2 teaspoons onion powder

• 2 teaspoons garlic powder

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

• 1 teaspoon Chef Nancies All Purpose Seasoning (Chefs preferred)

• 1 teaspoon white pepper

• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

• 1 quart vegetable oil for frying

Instructions

• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together buttermilk, hot sauce (optional, for added flavor), salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl. Add in chicken pieces. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate 4 hours.

• When ready to cook, pour the vegetable oil in a skillet until it is about 3/4 inch deep. Heat to 350 degrees.

• Prepare the breading by combining the flour, cornstarch, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, basil, white pepper, cayenne pepper, paprika, and salt in a gallon sized resealable plastic bag or shallow dish. Mix it thoroughly.

• Working one at a time, remove chicken pieces from buttermilk mixture. Shake it gently to remove the excess. Place it in the breading mix and coat thoroughly. Tap off the excess.

• Place the breaded chicken into the 350 degree oil. Fry 3 or 4 pieces at a time. The chicken will drop the temperature of the oil so keep it as close to 350 degrees as possible. Fry each piece for 14 minutes, turning each piece over about every 2 minutes, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.

• Remove from the oil and place on wire rack. Let them rest for at least 10 minutes before serving

Belgian Waffles

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
  

• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  

• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  

• 1/2 teaspoon salt
  

• 1 1/2 cups cold milk

• 1/4 cup melted butter or canola oil

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (chef prefers Madagascar vanilla bean paste)
  

• 2 whole eggs beaten

Instructions

• In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined. Create well in the center.

• Into the well of the dry ingredients, pour in remaining ingredients: milk, melted butter, vanilla, and eggs. Whisk to incorporate and create a batter. If it seems too thick, add in an extra splash of milk.

• Preheat Belgian waffle maker. Brush generously with melted butter and pour in about 1/2 cup batter into the center. Close and cook according to waffle maker instructions.

• Repeat with remaining batter until all waffles have been cooked. Serve warm with berries, whipped cream, powdered sugar, maple syrup and/or butter.

That's it!

Enjoy with your family or treat yourself!

Love,

Chef Nancie