fried chicken and waffel cones

So you just bought the new Adele album. Your life is in ruins from texting every single ex you’ve had since first grade and you’re looking for some extra-good food to soothe your aching soul. I’ve got you.

Well, technically Southern cuisine is your lifeboat, but I’ll be acting as middle man. Mostly I’m here to rant about how good the classic combination of chicken and waffles is, but we’ll both benefit from this, I promise. There is no problem that fried and a load of carbs can’t fix.

Too much of my life went by before I was even aware of the religious experience that is chicken and waffles. Freshly 21, a road trip pit stop in Mississippi first brought us together. Walking into a small, podunk restaurant that was propped up against a gas station was a gamble that would either leave us feeling that we had struck gold or feeling like we needed a bathroom, STAT. We were exhausted, smelled like 12 hours in a car, and were absolutely starving, so we decided to roll the dice.

Syrup-soaked golden waffles underneath a heaping pile of crispy fried chicken and a side of fluffy mashed potatoes—a magical plate was placed in front of each of us, and it didn’t take more than a bite to declare that we had in fact struck gold. Leaving the restaurant was oddly similar to leaving my grandparent’s house after a visit: happy, stuffed full of food and newfound wisdom I had apparently acquired through proximity.

Is there a better example of soul food?

So here I am, listening to Adele (we’re all in this together!) and battling the blues by reminiscing on the creaky-floored shack of a restaurant that had me singing hallelujahs.

This time around, I wanted to add my own twist to my favorite feel good food, so I swapped out big fluffy Belgian waffles for crunchy waffle cones. Same flavors with a way more fun presentation. Plus, it’s impossible to be sad while eating a waffle cone. You just can’t.

Unfortunately, this Fried Chicken and Waffle Cone recipe isn’t going to erase those texts you’re already regretting, but it willmake your tummy happy, and that’s a start.

Fried Chicken and Waffle Cones

Serves: 8

Waffle Cones:

2 eggs
1/2 cup white sugar
1/4 cup butter, melted and cooled
3 tablespoons milk
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons vegetable oil

Fried Chicken:

1 pound of chicken, diced into bite-sized pieces
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup bread crumbs
2 cups all purpose flour, for dredging
2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon cayenne
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 quarts vegetable oil, for frying

Mashed Potatoes:

Follow this easy-to-execute Garlic Mashed Potatoes recipe from Better Homes and Gardens

For the Waffle Cones:

1. Form or find a cone shape in any size you prefer. I used wadded tin foil, but bottles, or whatever cone-like object you have on hand will work just as well.
2. Whisk the eggs and sugar together until frothy, then gradually add the butter, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon. In tablespoon increments, incorporate flour and salt. The resulting batter should be really thin (more runny than pancake batter).
3. If you have a pizelle iron, now is the time to bust it out. If not, a skillet will work too, you’ll just be without the waffle pattern. Brush whatever skillet you’re using with oil and pour 1/8 cup of the batter onto it. Cook until both sides are golden brown, flipping often. Once it’s finished, wrap the unformed cone around whatever object you’ve acquired to form the cone shape. Allow to cool completely before removing from object. Repeat to use up batter.

For the Fried Chicken:

1. Place diced chicken in a bowl, top with spices and buttermilk, and toss to coat. Add bread crumbs and flour and toss again until pieces are separated and evenly coated.
2. Pour oil into a medium saucepan over medium heat and fry chicken pieces 4 minutes, or until golden brown. Using a slotted spoon, remove chicken from oil and drain on a drying rack.

To assemble:

1. Fill each waffle cone with 1/4 cup mashed potatoes and sprinkle with fried chicken bites.
2. Drizzle with maple syrup and enjoy
   !