This Chicken and Waffles Recipe Will Surprise You!

buttermilk

🥗Healthier: low-fat yogurt

💰Cheaper: milk + vinegar

Low-fat yogurt reduces calories while maintaining tanginess.

vegetable oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Avocado oil is healthier but can be more expensive.

maple syrup

🥗Healthier: honey

💰Cheaper: corn syrup

Honey provides natural sweetness with fewer additives.

fried chicken

🥗Healthier: baked chicken

💰Cheaper: chicken thighs

Baked chicken is lower in fat and can be more economical.

Clean and split the chicken quarters for easier cooking in the air fryer.

Marinate chicken in buttermilk with paprika, salt, and pepper for at least 30 minutes (or overnight).

In a bowl, combine 1.5 cups of all-purpose flour with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cornmeal, cornstarch, salt, and pepper.

Place the dry ingredients in a bag and shake to mix.

Remove chicken from buttermilk and leave it slightly wet to help the flour adhere.

Dredge the chicken in the flour mixture, shaking off excess flour to create a textured coating.

Let the coated chicken rest for a few minutes to absorb the flour.

In a separate bowl, melt 1/2 stick of butter and mix in a little chicken broth and optional spicy oil to create a batter.

Preheat the Ninja Foodi air fryer to 400°F for about 10-15 minutes.

Coat the chicken pieces lightly with the butter mixture before placing them in the air fryer.

Place chicken skin-side down in the air fryer, ensuring not to overcrowd.

Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken, set to 165°F, and cook for 20 minutes or until the chicken reaches the desired temperature.

Once the chicken reaches 165°F, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes.

Prepare store-bought frozen waffles according to package instructions.

Serve the waffles topped with the fried chicken and drizzle with chicken gravy.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens