As Thanksgiving approaches with the dried out turkey, twice killed ham, hard green beans, etc., Christmas often brings the same meal which at times can get awfully boring. Because of this, I feel obligated to feed a piece of me to the rest of the world. Michael Chiarello showed the world for 10 seasons how easy it is to entertain with a limited amount of money. Like I said before, “Good food doesn’t have to be expensive and expensive food doesn’t necessarily mean it’s good!” I’ve tried to encourage everyone to follow your dreams, make everything that you do count for something, and to try to reach someone and teach someone while all these different things go on around you. This week I’m choosing to follow my own advice. I want to dedicate this week to all students, couples, educators, foodies,entertainers, and lovers of good food to be creative and stick a fork in this one. In no way am I downing turkey but sometimes everyone doesn’t have the knowhow and/or the three hours to prepare such a delicate bird. Also, when times are hard, Chicken and Waffles can feed 3 full size adults. Oh wait, here comes the best part…………….wait for it……..….. It can be created with only $10 dollars and the right equipment.
Waffles Chicken Syrup
- 3 Large eggs 1 pkg. split chicken breast (3 breasts) 15 oz. can peaches
- 2 ½ cups milk 2 ½ tsp. garlic powder ½ cup raisins
- ¾ cup melted butter 2 tsp. Morton Season-All ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 ¾ cups yellow cornmeal 1 tbsp. ground black pepper ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp. cayenne pepper 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 5 tsp. baking powder 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour 2 tbsp. butter
- 1 ½ tbsp. granulated sugar ½ cup cornmeal
- ¾ tsp. salt 1 tbsp. cornstarch
- 1 tbsp. vanilla extract oil for frying
- 2 bananas
- ½ cup raisins
- ¼ stick butter (for the waffle iron)
Waffles: Place all of the dry ingredients together in a medium-sized mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk the wet ingredients together. With the help of a hand mixer, beat the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients for 30 seconds or until the batter is smooth and creamy. Once the batter is smooth, set it aside and heat the waffle iron to medium heat if applicable (depends on the style/type of iron). While the iron is heating, cut each banana in half vertically and then into ½ inch to 1 inch chunks. Gently stir the sliced bananas and the ½ cup of raisins into the batter. Once the waffle iron is hot, add the ¼ stick of butter to the iron to prevent the waffles from sticking. Pour ¾ – 1 cup of batter into the iron. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes or until desired doneness based on your specific iron.
Chicken: Place the 3 chicken breast onto a large baking sheet or plate. Combine the garlic powder, season-all, 1 tbsp. black pepper and 1 tsp. cayenne pepper together in a small mixing bowl. Liberally, sprinkle both sides of the chicken with the spice mixture. Using a large pot or a deep fryer, heat the oil to 360°F. While the oil is heating, combine the flour, cornmeal, 1 tbsp. black pepper, 1 tsp. cayenne pepper, and the cornstarch together in a freezer storage bag. Add the chicken to the bag and toss the chicken so that each piece is coated in flour. Once the oil is hot, add all of the chicken (breast side up) to the oil and then throw the bag of flour away for easy clean up. Cook the breast on each side (top, bottom, and side) for 5 ½ to 6 minutes.
Syrup: Whisk the syrup from the can, the cinnamon, and both sugars together into a medium-sized sauté pan or skillet. Place the skillet on the stove and turn it to simmer. Add the peaches, butter, and the raisins to the skillet and cook everything together for 10 minutes or until the peaches begin to fall apart. When it’s time to plate, place the chicken on top of the waffle and then drizzle the syrup over the top. Bon Appetit!
Our IUSB days 
w315lisad
November 22, 2011
I’m impressed. Never would have thought to use canned peaches as a syrup for the waffles.
youngreginald
November 22, 2011
Simplicity is often the best answer to many solutions. Syrup will reduce into a nice sauce if you simmer it (low and slow). Add butter to the end and create a masterpiece!
wischnei
November 29, 2011
I don’t know if this is breakfast, dinner, or both. But it looks very delicious.
youngreginald
November 29, 2011
It’s crazy. I never eat breakfast and I rarely eat lunch, so to me its dinner. To my wife and my daughter is often breakfast and for my brother it’s lunch. It’s a versatile meal. Breakfast works beast after a late night of fun.
erinrbritt
November 29, 2011
I have had chicken and waffles. It was wings, though, not breasts. It was an experience. Not sure I care for them together, but they were both yummy.