Imagine the rich, smoky aroma of perfectly smoked chicken tenders, infused with a Southern-inspired batter that's crispy and oh-so-delicious. These tenders are paired with golden, fluffy waffles that provide the perfect contrast in texture and flavour. The waffles are subtly sweet and savoury, with a hint of warmth from a touch of spices. When you take a bite, you'll experience a burst of flavours that dance on your taste buds – the smokiness of the chicken, the satisfying crunch of the batter, and the comforting embrace of the waffle. This kicks all the goals for game day!
How Easy the Recipe Is
Making these Chicken Tender Waffles may sound like a gourmet endeavour, but we've streamlined the process to make it incredibly easy for you. In just a few steps, you'll have a batch of these delectable snacks ready to devour:
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Smoke the chicken tenders for an hour to infuse that irresistible smoky flavour.
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Marinate the smoked tenders in a Southern-style batter that's a breeze to put together.
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Deep fry the marinated tenders to crispy perfection.
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Place the smoked deep-fried chicken tenders in a waffle maker with a waffle mixture for a unique twist.
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Cook until the waffles are golden brown and the chicken is piping hot.
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Serve with your favourite dipping sauces and watch your guests go wild.
With this straightforward process, you'll be serving up Chicken Tender Waffles in no time, giving you more opportunities to enjoy the game and the company of your fellow fans. Let's get started on this epic game-day snack adventure!
Information.
Course Main
Cuisine Australian
Keyword Chicken Tender Waffles
Prep Time 20 minutes
Marinade Time 1 hour - overnight
Cook Time 1 hour and 15 minutes
Rest Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour and 35 minutes
Servings 6 people
Author Aldergrills
Equipment.
Heat Resistant Gloves
The MeatStick 4X Set Thermometer
Long Tongs
Waffle Maker
Ingredients.
4 Chicken breast, sliced into strips
Salt
Vegetable Oil, for deep frying
Maple syrup
Organic Waffle Pancake Mix
Buttermilk Brine
2 cups Buttermilk
1 tbsp Kosher salt
1/2 tbsp Garlic powder
1/2 tbsp Onion powder
1 tsp sweet Paprika
Seasoned Dredge
3 cups plain Flour
1/3 cup Cornstarch
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp onion powder
2 tsp kosher salt
2 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
Preheat your smoker
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Start by getting your offset smoker ready. Preheat it to a steady temperature of 250°F (121°C) using a combination of charcoal as your base followed by double-trip split Ironbark Firewood.
Prepare the Chicken
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Remove the chicken breast from its packaging, rinse under water, and pat it dry with paper towels.
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Place the chicken breast side down on a clean cutting board.
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Use a sharp knife to cut 1-inch thick strips.
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Sprinkle Salt over the chicken tenders and place on a rack.
Smoke the Chicken
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Smoke the chicken tenders at 250°F (121°C) for 1 hour depending on your smoker and desired smokiness.
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Remove from the smoker and let the chicken tenders cool for 10 minutes.
Prepare the Dredge
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In a large mixing bowl, combine buttermilk, kosher salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and sweet paprika. Whisk these ingredients together thoroughly.
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Add the chicken tenders to the bowl, ensuring each tender is fully submerged in the buttermilk brine. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the chicken to marinate for at least 1 hour or up to overnight.
Deep Fry the Chicken Tenders
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In a Dutch oven, pour vegetable oil into the pot until it's half full. Heat the oil to 350°F (180°C).
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While the oil is heating, in a separate mixing bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. Mix these dry ingredients well.
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Remove each smoked chicken tender from the brine and coat it thoroughly in the seasoned flour mixture. Place the coated tenders on a plate and let them rest for 5 minutes.
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Carefully fry the chicken tenders in the hot oil, ensuring not to overcrowd the pot (about 4 tenders per batch). Fry them until they become golden brown, crispy, and completely cooked through approximately 8-9 minutes.
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Using a slotted spoon, carefully remove the fried chicken tenders from the oil and place them on a baking sheet with a wire rack. Allow them to cool slightly before serving.
Make the Waffles
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Preheat the waffle maker.
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Shake the bottle to loosen the dry mix and fill the bottle with 325ml of milk. Adjust the quantity of milk added depending on the size and consistency required.
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Replace the lid securely. Shake the bottle well for 1 minute. Stand for 5 minutes to thicken the batter.
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Pour batter into waffle maker to desired size and add a chicken tender. Cook over low to medium heat for 2 minutes on each side or until golden brown.
Serve hot!
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Once ready, serve the Chicken Tender Waffles hot with a generous amount of Maple Syrup.
