Fried Chicken
4lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into smaller pieces
2 tablespoons salt
2 cups + 3 oz buttermilk or substitute*
4 cups all purpose flour
1-teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper,
½ teaspoon garlic powder
1-teaspoon fresh ground pepper
1-teaspoon ground thyme
4-5 cups vegetable oil for frying

Waffles
4 cups all purpose flour
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 ½ tablespoons baking powder
¾ teaspoon kosher salt
3 large eggs
¾ cups unsalted butter, melted
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups buttermilk or substitute*

*If you do not have buttermilk you can substitute 1 cup whole milk + 1 tablespoon lemon juice or white distilled vinegar for 1 cup of buttermilk

Steps
1. Add 2 cups of buttermilk or substitute to large bowl and mix in 2 tablespoons salt to dissolve.
2. Cut chicken into bite size pieces if breasts are large. I like to butterfly them in half and then cut into 3-4 inch pieces. Add to the buttermilk.

3. Cover and refrigerate for minimum of one hour
4. Remove chicken from brine and pat dry with paper towels.
5. Whisk flour, paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, black pepper and thyme into a large bowl.
6. Add remaining 3 oz of buttermilk or substitute to flour and mix with your hands.
7. Coat chicken with the flour mixture, making sure to press flour on to the chicken, and rest on a wire rack.

8. Add oil to a large dutch oven and heat over medium-high heat until it reaches 375 degrees.
9. Line plate with paper towels for draining.
10. Add chicken to hot oil, cover and cook for 5-7 minutes, depending on size you cut chicken.
11. Remove cover, check for browning and the internal temperature of the chicken to be at least 165 degrees.
12. Remove from oil and drain on paper towels.

13. Place chicken in a warm oven while making the waffles.
14. Add flour, baking powder, sugar and salt to bowl and whisk together.
15. In a separate bowl add buttermilk or substitute, eggs, melted butter and vanilla and mix together.
16. Pour the liquid into the dry ingredients and fold to incorporate, but still lumpy.

17. Pour about 2/3 cup of batter into hot, prepared waffle iron and cook until golden brown.
18. Add butter, chicken, and real maple syrup on the waffles and enjoy!

For a different twist, add cut up jalapenos or cooked pieces of bacon to the waffle mix.