A Taste of Heaven: Gourmet Chicken and Waffles with Candied Jalapeños, Vermont Maple Syrup and Apple Butter
Chicken and waffles – a soul food classic that combines sweet and savory in the most irresistible way. Today, we’re taking this comfort food favorite to new heights with a gourmet chicken and waffles recipe that’s sure to tantalize your taste buds.
What makes this recipe gourmet? We’re talking candied jalapeños for a touch of sweet heat, balanced perfectly with the richness of real maple syrup from Vermont. Topped with a piece of our delicious Southern fried chicken, this dish is an explosion of textures and flavors in every single bite.
History of Chicken and Waffles
Intrigued by the origins of this iconic dish? It’s believed that chicken and waffles first appeared in Harlem restaurants in the early 1900s. Working-class African Americans would frequent these establishments after late-night shifts, enjoying the hearty combination of fried chicken and waffles as a filling breakfast or late-night supper.
For this recipe, I had the pleasure of learning from Executive Chef Greg Stillman. A veteran of esteemed California restaurants like French Laundry and Catal, Chef Stillman brings his culinary expertise to create a truly special chicken and waffles experience.
Now, I know what you’re thinking – gourmet chicken and waffles sounds like an all-day affair in the kitchen. But fear not! We can achieve this restaurant-worthy experience with a few smart shortcuts.
Here’s the deal: for busy home cooks, I absolutely recommend using a store-bought waffle mix, jarred apple butter and non-brined chicken. This way, you can whip up this gourmet dish without spending hours in the kitchen.
However, if you’re feeling adventurous and have the time, this recipe includes instructions for making your own buttermilk waffles, brined chicken, apple butter and Tabasco reduction from scratch. It’s a fantastic option for those who enjoy the full culinary experience!
🎬 Watch How to Make This Recipe
Want to see this recipe come to life? Check out this video where I walk you through the entire process, step-by-step!
Dive into this gourmet chicken and waffles creation and experience a symphony of flavors and textures. The crispy, juicy chicken perfectly complements the fluffy waffles. The candied jalapeños add a delightful sweet heat that’s balanced beautifully by the rich maple syrup.
So, whether you’re a longtime chicken and waffles fan or simply looking for a new and exciting brunch option, this recipe is sure to impress. So grab your favorite people, fire up the stove, and get ready to indulge in a taste of heaven!
P.S. Check out the video in this post for a guide on preparing this gourmet chicken and waffles recipe.
More Recipes
- Maple Glazed Grilled Salmon
- Crispy Maple Dijon Chicken
- Grilled Cheese, Tomato & Egg Sandwich
- Goat Cheese Ball
- Spicy Chicken Popper Wraps
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Gourmet Chicken and Waffles
Recipe by Jason Hill – CookingSessions.comIngredients
- 12-24 chicken breast halves skin removed
Dry Waffle Mix
- 6 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups corn starch
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons malt powder
- 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Wet Waffle Mix
- 8 cups buttermilk
- 2 1/2 cups vegetable oil
- 8 eggs
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon vanilla bean puree
Fried Chicken Coating
- 6 cups all purpose flour
- 1/4 cup garlic powder
- 1/4 cup onion powder
- 2 tablespoons paprika
- 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Chicken Brine
- 5 lemons halved
- 12 Bay leaves
- 1 bunch parsley
- 1 bunch thyme
- 1/2 cup honey
- 12 garlic cloves
- 1/4 cup black peppercorns
- 2 cups salt
- 2 gallons water
For Dredging the Chicken
- Fresh buttermilk as needed
- Salt and pepper as needed
For Presentation
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 waffle
- 1 piece fried chicken
- Candied jalapenos
- Pure maple syrup as needed
- Tabasco reduction for decoration
- Apple butter for decoration
Tabasco Reduction
- 1 bottle Tabasco sauce
Apple Butter
- 4 McIntosh apples
- 4 Granny smith apples
- 3/4 cup dark brown sugar
- 4 cups water
- 2 cups apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
- 4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon honey
Instructions
Make the Waffles
- Mix dry waffle ingredients. Mix wet waffle ingredients. Combine mixtures with an immersion blender until smooth.
- Cook the waffles in a waffle iron coated with nonstick spray.
Make the Fried Chicken
- Mix all fried chicken coating ingredients together and reserve.
- Combine all the chicken brine ingredients. Boil for 2 minutes. Cool in the refrigerator.
- Once the brine is cold, brine chicken tenders in the mixture for 2 hours.
- Dip chicken in buttermilk, then dip in flour coating, and repeat once. Fry to order.
Make the Apple Butter
- Take the water and vinegar and bring to a boil. Add the quartered apples, leave skin and core INTACT. Simmer for 20 minutes. Pass apple mixture through a tammi. Add to a large saute pan with remaining ingredients. Simmer for an additional hour. Cool and reserve. Makes 3 Gallons.
Tabasco Reduction
- Reduce 1 bottle Tabasco sauce by half, weigh, add 1% agar agar, puree, chill, puree again. Store or use.
Make the Candied Jalapeños
- Blanch sliced jalapenos in simple syrup, place on dehydrator sheets, dehydrate until crisp.
Final Preparation
- Place one waffle on a serving plate with a tablespoon of melted butter on top. Top the waffle with the fried chicken, candied jalapenos, and a heavy dose of pure maple syrup. Decorate plate with Tabasco reduction and apple butter, if desired.
