Fried Chicken And Waffles Stack With Iceberg Salad And Garlicky Ranch Aioli Food

HOT FRIED CHICKEN WITH ICEBERG-PICKLE SLAW

Steps:

• Pound the chicken breasts with a meat mallet until they are 1/2 inch thick. Slice the breasts in half, then add to a large resealable plastic bag. Mix the onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne and 1/2 tablespoon salt in a small bowl. Sprinkle half of the spice mixture over the chicken in the bag, add dill pickle powder and vinegar powder, seal the bag and shake and massage the spices into the meat evenly. Let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat 1/4 cup oil in a small saucepan over medium heat until shimmering. Add the remaining spice mix. Cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Transfer to a small heatproof bowl and reserve.
• In another large resealable plastic bag or paper bag, combine the flour with the black pepper and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt.
• Add enough oil to a cast-iron or other heavy skillet to come 1/2 inch up the sides. Heat the oil over medium heat until it reaches 365 degrees F. The oil's ready when a little flour dropped in bubbles and sizzles steadily.
• Add the chicken to the paper bag in batches and shake well until the pieces are evenly coated. Remove the chicken from the flour, shaking off excess. Carefully place the chicken in the oil. Repeat, adding just a few more pieces to the pan. You don't want to crowd the pan. Keep adjusting the heat to keep a steady sizzle and to maintain 365 degrees F. Cook until browned on the bottom, about 3 minutes, then carefully turn each piece over. Cook until browned on the second side, about 3 minutes, then continue cooking and turning to evenly brown until cooked through, about 10 minutes total.
• Crumple up some paper towels and drain the chicken on them. Repeat with the remaining chicken, replenishing and reheating the oil between batches. Drizzle with the reserved spice oil. Repeat the breading and frying process with the remaining chicken if necessary.
• Spread the mayo on the hamburger buns and toast in a nonstick skillet over medium heat until golden, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Starting with the bottom hamburger buns, top with the hot fried chicken and some Iceberg-Pickle Slaw. Cover with the bun tops.
• Whisk together the oil, chopped pickles, pickle juice, Dijon and honey in a large bowl. Add the iceberg lettuce; toss gently to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

FRIED CHICKEN AND WAFFLES

Steps:

• For the chicken: In a small bowl, mix together 1 3/4 teaspoons salt, zest and paprika. Sprinkle the breasts evenly with the mixture on all sides, rubbing the mixture into the chicken gently. Place in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Poke a few holes in the top so that air can circulate around the chicken. Refrigerate at least 8 hours or overnight.
• Remove the chicken from the refrigerator and allow to sit at room temperature for 20 minutes.
• Heat a 10-inch, straight-sided skillet over medium heat. Add the oil so it comes 1 inch up the side. Heat the oil until it reaches 325 degrees F on a deep-fry thermometer.
• In a shallow bowl or pie plate, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, remaining salt and the black pepper. Dredge each breast in the dry mixture, making sure each piece is covered well with the mixture. Place each piece of chicken in the hot oil, letting it fall away from you, as to not splash yourself with hot oil. Fry the chicken for 10 minutes on the first side. Gently flip each piece of chicken and continue cooking on the other side until golden brown and cooked through, about 10 more minutes. Remove the chicken from the oil and allow it to drain for 5 minutes on a paper-towel-lined plate.
• For the waffles: Preheat a standard waffle iron. With a whisk, mix together the waffle mix, 1 1/2 cups water, the vegetable oil and cinnamon until smooth. Lightly spray the waffle iron with nonstick cooking spray. Ladle approximately 3/4 cup of the batter into the iron and cook until the waffle is golden brown and crisp, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the waffle to a plate and repeat with remaining batter.
• Serve the chicken and waffles hot, with maple syrup and butter.

CHICKEN AND WAFFLES ON A STICK

Steps:

• For the chicken: Fold together the chicken tenders, buttermilk, tarragon, thyme and cayenne pepper in a shallow dish until thoroughly combined. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
• Remove the chicken and buttermilk mixture from the refrigerator. Sift the flour, garlic powder, 2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon pepper and onion powder into a separate shallow dish.
• Preheat the oil in a large cast-iron pan over medium-high heat to about 350 degrees F. Thread each tender onto a skewer.
• Dredge each skewered tender in the flour mixture, coating completely and shaking off any excess. Dip each back in the buttermilk mixture and again in the flour mixture, gently shaking off any excess.
• In small batches, gently drop the skewers into the oil and fry, about 5 minutes. Flip and fry until golden brown, an additional 3 to 5 minutes. Drain on paper towels and season with salt and pepper.
• For the waffle batter: Place the flour, milk, oil, sugar, vanilla extract, baking powder, baking soda, salt and eggs in a large bowl and whisk until no lumps remain. Dip the fried tenders in the batter, coating completely. In batches, gently drop the skewers back into the oil and fry, about 4 minutes. Flip and fry an additional 3 to 4 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
• Just before serving, brush with a light coating of melted butter and drizzle with maple syrup. Serve warm.

FRIED CHICKEN AND WAFFLE SLIDERS WITH SPICY MAYO

Steps:

• For the brine: To a saucepan, add 2 cups water, the salt, sugar, red chile flakes, peppercorns, garlic thyme leaves and bay leaf. Bring to a simmer to dissolve the sugar and salt. Once boiling, remove from the heat and add the ice. Once the liquid is cool, place into a freezer bag, and add the chicken to the brine, making sure it is completely submerged. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
• For the waffle batter: Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda. In a separate bowl, beat together the buttermilk, butter and eggs. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the wet ingredients to the dry while stirring with a whisk. Mix until well combined and there are no lumps. Cover with plastic wrap.
• Pour the waffle batter into the waffle iron and cook according to the manufacturer's instructions. Repeat for the remaining waffle batter.
• For the mayo: Whisk together the honey, mayonnaise, Sriracha, garlic powder, onion powder and salt, and set in the refrigerator to allow flavors to come together.
• For the slaw: Mix mayonnaise, sour cream, mustard and vinegar together in a large bowl. Then add green cabbage, carrot, red cabbage, red onion and apple. Season with salt and pepper. Stir well so everything is coated evenly. Keep the slaw refrigerated until ready to use.
• For fried chicken: Combine the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, Italian seasoning, paprika and black pepper. In a separate shallow dish, whisk together the eggs, buttermilk and hot sauce. Dredge each piece of chicken in the flour mixture, then into the egg, shake off excess, and then back into the flour mixture.
• Heat the canola oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken in the hot oil until golden and crispy, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Place the cooked chicken onto a rack on a sheet tray and keep warm while you finish cooking the rest of the chicken. Place the chicken into a warm oven to keep warm and crisp while you prepare the sliders.
• Spread the prepared mayonnaise on the bottom waffle and top with a couple of pieces of fried chicken to create a slider. Top with a pile of slaw. Finish with the second waffle piece and hold together with a bamboo skewer. Repeat for the remaining waffles and chicken. Cut into quarters and serve.

QUICK FRIED CHICKEN AND WAFFLES

Steps:

• Whisk together eggs, 2 cups buttermilk, and butter. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and 3/4 teaspoon salt. Transfer 1 cup flour mixture to a shallow bowl; fold rest into wet ingredients. Preheat a Belgian-waffle iron; brush with oil. Pour in 1 cup batter; spread, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Cook until golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Repeat with remaining batter.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Season chicken with salt and pepper; dredge in reserved flour mixture. Shake off excess. Dip in remaining 1 cup buttermilk, then again in flour; repeat. Cook in batches until golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes a side. Transfer to a plate and serve, with waffles, butter, syrup, and hot sauce.