Chicken and waffles...with a twist

Chicken and waffles with gravy is surfacing on menus across the country, we’re even seeing potato chips with this combination. I wanted to know what the escalating fuss was about. Last month we visited a friends’ restaurant in Cody, Wyoming http://www.cassies.com/

I was so delighted to see chicken and waffles on their wonderful Sunday brunch menu. So, naturally I ordered it. I wasn’t disappointed, why would I be, waffles served with crispy-coated chicken, washed down with mimosas. I enjoyed, a lot,  it but still didn’t understand the cohesiveness. I wanted to put my spin on it. The results I’m pleased to say are really tasty and not the least bit traditionally probably. I coated the chicken in waffles crumbs. I tried it fried and baked, surprisingly, the baked was better, that wasn’t the general consensus in the house though.  Serve this with creamy mashed potatoes and mimosa. Let me know what you think.  

Waffle crumb chicken with chicken gravy

 13.75oz (390g) package waffles, toasted according to package directions

2 eggs

2 tablespoons maple syrup

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

1 cup flour

salt and freshly ground pepper

4 small to medium chicken breasts

cooking spray

CHICKEN GRAVY

2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons flour

2 cups chicken broth (we used homemade stock for added flavor)

3/4 to 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

salt

Heat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place a greased wire rack on a baking sheet. In a food processor, process toasted waffles until small-coarse crumbs. Place crumbs in a shallow dish. Beat eggs, syrup and mustard in shallow dish. Add flour and a generous pinch of salt and pepper to a shallow bowl.

Cut chicken breasts in half horizontally. Coat each piece of chicken in flour, dip in egg mixture then press into waffle crumbs. Spray both sides of each chicken piece with cooking spray. Arrange in a single layer on prepared oven rack. Cook for 18 to 20 minutes or until cooked and browned, turning once during cooking.

To make the chicken gravy, melt butter in medium frying pan over medium heat. Add flour and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Gradually stir in broth. Add a pinch of salt and a generous pinch of pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes or until thickened. Serve over chicken. Serves 4.

chicken and waffles with a twist