Description
A crispy and flavorful fried chicken waffle sandwich featuring marinated and double-coated chicken tenders, paired with homemade savory waffles, fresh rocket, tomatoes, and a zesty garlic sauce for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Marinade
- 8 chicken tenders or fillets
- 300ml buttermilk
- 3 eggs
- 3 tsp chilli powder or cayenne pepper
- 2 tsp garlic powder
Chicken Coating
- 320g plain flour
- 1 tbsp cornflour
- 3 tsp baking powder
- 2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 3 eggs (for dipping)
Waffle Batter
- 320g plain flour
- 1 ¼ tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 30g light brown soft sugar
- 3 eggs
- 480ml buttermilk
- 50g unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 4 strips pancetta, cooked and finely chopped (optional)
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
To Cook & Assemble
- Sunflower oil, for deep-frying
- Garlic sauce (shop-bought or homemade)
- Handful of rocket
- Tomatoes, chopped or sliced
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade: In a large bowl, combine the buttermilk, eggs, chilli powder or cayenne pepper, and garlic powder. Add the chicken tenders and mix well to coat. Cover and chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours, up to 24 hours.
- Make the chicken coating: In a separate bowl, mix plain flour, cornflour, baking powder, cayenne pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and salt. Beat the eggs in another bowl for dipping.
- Coat the chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade a few pieces at a time. Toss in the dry coating mix, then dip into the beaten eggs, and toss again in the coating mix. Arrange coated tenders on a foil-lined baking sheet.
- Prepare the waffle batter: In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, brown sugar, salt, and black pepper. Beat eggs separately, then gently stir into the dry ingredients. Add buttermilk and mix until smooth. Stir in the melted butter and the cooked, chopped pancetta if using.
- Heat oil for frying: Fill a saucepan one-third full with sunflower oil and heat over medium-high until it reaches 175°C (350°F), or a piece of bread browns within 30 seconds when dropped in.
- Fry the chicken: Fry the coated chicken tenders in batches until golden brown on both sides and fully cooked through. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Adjust heat if chicken browns too quickly.
- Cook the waffles: Heat a waffle iron or waffle machine and cook the batter for 5-6 minutes until golden and cooked through. Cut each waffle in half.
- Assemble the sandwich: Spread garlic sauce on the bottom halves of the waffles. Layer with rocket, tomatoes, and fried chicken tenders. Top with the other waffle half and serve immediately.
Notes
- For extra flavor, marinate chicken overnight.
- Use a thermometer to maintain oil temperature for best frying results.
- Pancetta is optional but adds a nice smoky flavor to the waffles.
- Serve immediately for best texture and taste.
- Garlic sauce can be homemade or store-bought depending on preference.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: fried chicken, waffle sandwich, chicken tenders, savory waffles, deep-fried chicken, buttermilk chicken, crispy chicken sandwich
