Chicken and Waffles with a Basil Infused Cantaloupe Syrup



Chicken and Waffles with Basil Infused Cantaloupe Syrup

 

 

 

 

     I have made a chicken and waffle recipe before, However this time I wanted something a bit different; something that could be refreshing and more summertime worthy utilizing some fresh produce. I decided to come up with this delicious crisp syrup that would be cooling and add that little something to the fried chicken and hearty waffles. So here goes; Chicken and Waffles with a Basil Infused Cantaloupe Syrup.

 

 

Ingredients:

 

• 6 chicken breast strips
• Waffle mix
• 5 slices of bacon
• 1 cup chopped cantaloupe
• 5 basil leaves
• 1 shot of limoncello
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• Cornflake crumbs
• 1 egg
• Flour
• Vegetable oil
• Salt/Pepper

 

1. I set up a 3 plate station for the chicken breading. One for egg, one for flour, and another for cornflake crumbs.




2. Dredge chicken in flour, followed by dipping in egg, then dredging in cornflake crumbs.




3. Fry chicken in a large skillet with enough vegetable oil till golden brown on both sides.




4. Remove chicken and place on baking sheet and bake in 350 degree oven for 15 minutes or until
done.




5. Meanwhile fry the bacon in a skillet until crisp. Chop up and combine in with waffle mix. (I just used store bought just add water mixture).




6. Make waffles using a simple waffle iron.





7. Now in a saute pot, pour in the limoncello. Over medium high heat bring limoncello to a boil. Toss in chopped basil and let the leaves infuse into the liquid.




8. Pour in the syrup and whisk to combine.




9. Take cantaloupe and puree in a food processor. Pour into pot and combine.




10. Now for the fun part. Place waffle on plate. Top with fried chicken, and then drizzle some of the cantaloupe syrup over the chicken. Add some fresh cantaloupe pieces and viola!

 

 

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Serves: 4

 

 

Chicken and Waffles

Chicken and Waffles with a peach brandy syrup

        Chicken and Waffles.  A dish I had never had before attempting this recipe. I have always wanted to try them, but have never had the chance.  A southern dish categorized as a soul food favorite beloved by many.  I racked my brain trying to find an interesting way to create this dish and make it my own.  I did not want to do just a plan fried chicken with waffles and plan syrup.  When thinking of a "southern" style dish I came up with the idea of making the chicken more spicy with some heat and adding a fruity twist to the syrup and what better southern fruit to use than a peach.  So here it is, my version of Chicken and Waffles with peach brandy syrup compote.

Chicken and Waffles with a Peach Brandy Syrup Compote

Ingredients:

• Buttermilk waffles
• 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• Cornflake crumbs
• Cayenne pepper
• 2 eggs
• flour
• Vegetable oil for frying
• 1 15oz can peaches
• 3 tbs of maple syrup
• 2 tbs of apple brandy
• salt/pepper

          Now I made the waffles ahead of time and kept in the oven warming so that they crisped up a bit but you can make them at the same time if you are able to multitask enough.  Preheat oven to 350F.  Take the 3 chicken breasts and cut them into halves so that you have 6 separate pieces.  Take to 2 eggs and mix them in a bowl.  Lay a plate of flour and a plate of the cornflake crumbs and cayenne pepper next to the bowl of eggs so that you have an assembly line of 3 different platforms for dredging the chicken in.

          First dredge the chicken in the flour lightly.  Then dredge it in the egg mixture followed by the cornflake and pepper mixture.  Fry the chicken in a skillet with vegetable oil till brown on both sides. 

        Remove and place in a baking dish.  Once all pieces have been browned.  Bake in the oven for 25 minutes.  Meanwhile dice up the can of peaches.  In a small sauce pan cook on low heat the peaches and add in the 4 tbs of maple syrup and the 2 tbs of apple brandy.  Add a pinch of salt and simmer on low for about 10-15 minutes.  Once the chicken is done.  Place 2 halves of the waffle on a plate.  Top with a piece of chicken and pour over a bit of the peach compote.  Serve immediately.  Serves 2-3 people.  This dish is so delicious.  The combination of both spicy from the chicken and sweet from the peach compote are perfect.  The soft and crispiness of the waffle add texture and fullness to the dish.  Enjoy!