Sweet And Spicy Chicken With Waffles

Chicken and waffles, as a combined recipe, first appeared in the United States’ colonial period in the 1600s in Pennsylvania Dutch country. This combination of sweet and spicy foods is beloved by many people. A traditional story about the origin of the dish in soul food states that because African Americans in the South rarely had the opportunity to eat chicken and were more familiar with flapjacks or pancakes than with waffles, they considered the dish a delicacy. Whether it is about brunch or dinner these chicken and waffles do it all.

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 12 chicken tenderloins (about 1-1/2 pounds)
• 12 bacon strips
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• WAFFLES:
• 1 cup self-rising flour
• 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup canned pumpkin
• 2 teaspoons canola oil
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• SRIRACHA SYRUP:
• 1 cup maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 to 4 teaspoons Sriracha chili sauce

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°. In a small bowl, mix salt, onion powder and paprika; sprinkle over chicken tenders. Wrap each tender with a strip of bacon; tuck ends under. In another small bowl, mix brown sugar and chili powder. Roll each wrapped chicken tender in sugar mixture, pressing to adhere.
2. Place a wire rack over a foil-lined baking sheet; place chicken on rack. Bake until chicken is cooked and bacon is crisp, 20-25 minutes.
3. Preheat waffle maker. For waffles, in a large bowl, mix flour, pie spice, salt and chili powder. In a small bowl, combine buttermilk, brown sugar, pumpkin, oil and egg until blended. Add to dry mix; stir just until moistened. Bake waffles according to manufacturer’s directions until golden brown.
4. Meanwhile, place Sriracha syrup ingredients in a small saucepan. Heat until butter is melted and sauce is heated through, stirring occasionally. Serve waffles with chicken and warmed syrup.

What to Serve With Chicken And Waffles?- 5 Best Side Dishes

If you want to make your meal more interesting, try serving one of these side dishes with your main course. They will add the right amount of flavor and crunch to complement your fluffy waffle and crispy fried chicken.

And the best part is that they are all easy to make in no time.

1. Bacon Jam

Bacon Jam- Its sweet, smoky and spicy.

It goes great with eggs for breakfast, burgers for lunch and steaks for dinner.

And tastes superb with chicken and waffles at any mealtime as well.

The added smokiness complements the crispy fried chicken, while the sweetness balances the savory waffles.

2. Grilled Vegetables

The smoky flavor of Grilled vegetables will complement the sweetness of waffles.

To add more flavor you can top your green vegetables with olive oil.

This is an easy side dish that you can make in no time.

3. Sautéed Spinach

Sautéed spinach is perfect for serving with chicken and waffles because it adds flavor of green to your meal.

This dish complements your breakfast perfectly. Just make sure that spinach if fresh and not wilted.

4. Sweet Potato Casserole

This cold-weather comfort food is loaded with warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, making it a perfect match for your soul food dinner.

The best part is that you don’t even have to make it at home.

Just pick a ready to eat casserole from the store, heat it in microwave and top it with some syrup.

You May try Egg Casserole

5. Macroni And Cheese

Both dishes are sweet, savory, creamy, and filling, so they each make a great partner for the other.

Macaroni and cheese is a portion of classic comfort food that pairs wonderfully with chicken and waffles.

Conclusion

There are plenty of delicious side dishes to choose from if you’re serving chicken and waffles.

These include green beans, mashed potatoes, collard or mustard greens, cornbread and syrup.