Countryside Chicken And Waffles
Countryside Chicken and Waffles consist of a Maryland spice blend on a sautéed chicken thigh, chili-infused honey, all nestled between homemade waffles.
Nothing evokes a picnic like the countryside, and no countryside picnic would feel complete without a Chicken and Waffle sandwich!
Countryside Chicken and Waffles
Few experiences motivate wholesome living quite like a drive through the countryside.
Fields filled with produce, wildlife in abundance, and the motivation to slow down, pause, and enjoy a picnic.
In my area, hidden within a forested section, lies a path leading to an old red barn.
A country-girl best friend of mine, also a food blogger, planned to visit.
I was convinced we needed to pack a lunch and explore that barn.
Truthfully, it was her suggestion to hike in the woods, and being the gracious hostess I am…
It’s all captured in the video!
Waffles For A Sandwich?
During my childhood, back in the 50s and 60s, suddenly everything homemade transitioned to frozen foods available in supermarkets, which could be microwaved.
While I appreciate their convenience, waffles were not going to be among them in my kitchen, not for this delightful picnic.
Naturally, milk or buttermilk, melted butter, and a dash of cinnamon are the ingredients for this quick batter, which cooks waffles in about a minute each.
Indeed, this waffle recipe is a straightforward, easy creation that can be prepared and cooked in under 60 minutes.
Especially since I opted to prepare these waffles on national television, including fried chicken, fruit skewers, and a Watermelon Cocktail, all within 90 minutes!
Nothing Faster Than An Electric Waffle Maker
Waffle makers are incredibly user-friendly, quite economical, and produce numerous waffles swiftly. It definitely surpasses the traditional method they were prepared, we simply require a tasty batter.
The waffles can be prepared ahead of time, allowing you to focus on the chicken preparation.
And indeed, you can create large batches on a meal-prep day and freeze them.
At least these frozen waffles will be homemade!
Chicken: To Fry Or Not To Fry
No, chicken doesn’t necessarily need to be fried to attain a crispy, flavorful golden exterior.
All we require is a heated cast-iron skillet, a sprinkle of spiced flour, and we have a healthier, scrumptious chicken for our sandwich.
While I firmly believe that chicken and waffles is a southern tradition, I aimed to create ‘my’ unique take on chicken and waffles!
Best Spices For Maryland Chicken and Waffles
There exists a special spice that we Marylanders incorporate into numerous recipes, even though it was likely initially devised for Maryland’s seafood.
Here in Maryland, Old Bay seasoning (and no, I have no affiliation with them, just adore the stuff), is the secret component in my chicken and waffles!
A dash of this seasoning in the flour for the chicken is going to elevate the chicken’s flavor significantly.
This spice blend contains ingredients such as celery salt, crushed red pepper flakes, and paprika, but the remaining components remain a mystery!
Crispy Chicken Without Frying
Quickly sautéing the chicken in a bit of oil, removing them from the greased pan and completing them in the oven will render them both crunchy and juicy, while also not oily.
Even though I’m not keen on frying chicken (or most other things), I do desire my chicken to be crunchy, hence this is how I achieve that.
Countryside Storytelling
Alright, so here’s the inside scoop on this ‘wildly entertaining’ video; I am a Novice Filmmaker, aspiring producer for visual storytelling!
I crafted the storyline for this video, selected the menu, set up the scene, operated all cameras while participating in the narratives; except for the actual hike in the woods, for which I enlisted a TV cameraman friend to film that segment.
However, it is in editing where the genuine effort, the true narrative, unfolds for visual storytelling and filmmaking, and I genuinely enjoy it.
Chicken and Waffles Create A Fantastic Picnic Sandwich
I’m unsure who decided to make chicken and waffles a ‘thing,’ but I must say it makes a fantastic sandwich, especially when prepared as a ‘to-go’ picnic meal.
In addition to our chicken and waffle picnic, we included homemade cookies, fruit kabobs, and a delicious Persian iced tea, not southern sweet tea.
This picnic is ideal, not only for a barn and hayride affair but also perfect for tailgating, boating, beach outings, or simply lying under a tree in your own backyard.
Nonetheless, these chicken and waffle sandwiches are just as delightful to savor right at your kitchen table!
Countryside Chicken and Waffles For Television
Moreover, throughout all the times I’ve ever prepared these chicken and waffles, can you believe I had the opportunity to prepare them on television!
Certainly, it was the most thrilling chance to present a family beloved summertime picnic dish, don’t you agree?
As it turned out, Episode 4 of The Great American Recipe on PBS is where I prepared my countryside chicken and waffles, which the judges adored.
In fact, my chicken and waffles were so well-received that my recipe is now featured in the PBS Cookbook!
What To Accompany Countryside Chicken and Waffles
Given that chicken and waffle sandwiches have become a part of a ‘to-go’ lunch experience, what could be a better dessert to bring along than homemade cookies!
Additionally, since chicken and waffles are frequently prepared for summer adventures, what could be a more suitable beverage to bring than a Watermelon Mint Cocktail!
My watermelon cocktail was what I served the judges during the cooking competition, alongside my chicken and waffles, and I made it both with and without alcohol.
After all, who doesn’t relish watermelon in the summertime, and the drink I concocted is perfect for children, without alcohol, and for adults.
who enjoy a little alcohol in the beverage.
Ingredients Required
- Flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Cinnamon
- Butter
- Eggs
- Whole milk or buttermilk
- Sugar
- Honey
- Smoked paprika or chili powder
- Boneless chicken thighs
- Vegetable oil
- Buttermilk
- Garlic
- Cornstarch
- Old Bay Seasoning
Equipment Required
- Waffle Maker – this is my favorite and I’ve owned it for years!
- Heavy cast iron skillet or another substantial sauté pan – the optimal heat conductor for cooking meats.
- Cutting board
- Chopping knife
- Parchment paper
- Kitchen twine
- 3 Mixing bowls
- Wire whisk
- Tongs
- Fork
- Hand mixer
- Measuring cup
- Measuring spoons
- Baking sheet
- Oven
Traditional Belgian Yeast Waffles
As I mentioned previously, the waffle formula I utilized for preparing my chicken and waffle sandwiches is a quick and simple recipe.
Nonetheless, it is not the only waffle recipe I might employ, depending on the time available for making waffles.
My Traditional Belgian Yeast Waffle recipe is less similar to cake or pancakes in texture and more akin to bread.
This traditional recipe can be prepared a day in advance, stored in the refrigerator to enhance the batter with some yeast.
Cooked in the waffle maker, the same as with any waffle recipe.
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Waffle maker
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Large skillet
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Parchment paper
- 2 cups All-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp Baking powder
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Cinnamon
- 6 tbsp Butter melted, cooled
- 2 Eggs separated
- 2 cups Whole milk
- 3 tbsp Sugar
- Chicken Formula
- 1/4 cup Honey
- 1/2 tsp Chili powder more spice if desired
- 4 Boneless chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup
Vegetable oil as required
- 1 cup Buttermilk
- 2 Garlic cloves mashed
- 2 cups All-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp Cornstarch
- 1 tsp Old Bay Seasoning
- Salt
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Preparing the Waffles – This recipe yields around 8 to 10 standard-sized waffles. Warm up the waffle maker.
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Beat the egg whites and set them aside.
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In a separate bowl, blend the milk, sugar, and egg yolks while gradually adding the melted butter.
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Incorporate the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
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Gently mix in the egg whites.
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Cook the waffles (following the manufacturer’s instructions on your appliance). Place each on parchment paper. The waffles are ready once you prepare the sandwiches.Can be prepared in advance and stored in a sealed container.
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Preparing the Chicken – Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Lay parchment paper onto a baking sheet.
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Heat a cast-iron skillet, or a large sauté pan, adding just enough oil to coat the bottom.
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Slice the thighs horizontally thinner, and immerse them in buttermilk mixed with crushed garlic.
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Combine the flour with cornstarch and salt.
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Dunk the chicken into the flour blend and quickly brown on both sides in the hot oiled skillet. Move to the baking sheet. Complete cooking in the oven for 20 minutes.
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Combine the honey with chili powder. *Refer to Notes. Drizzle over the chicken when taken out from the oven.
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Assembly – Cut 4 sheets of parchment paper in half.
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Position a piece of honey-drizzled chicken between two waffles. Envelope them in parchment paper and secure with string. They are now ready for serving, or to take on a picnic!
- Honey and chili powder create a simple mix at home, though several products now exist that already combine honey with chili, or maple syrup with chili.
- Tomato slices or some leafy greens can also be added alongside the chicken and waffles.
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