You could have a hot wheels car or hot chicken, you tell me buddy.

Prep Time: 40 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

Waffles

• 2 cups (300g) all-purpose flour

• 2 tablespoons (24g) granulated sugar

• 1/2 teaspoon (2g) fine sea salt, plus more to taste

• 1 tablespoon (10g) baking powder

• 2 large eggs

• 1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil, plus more if frying like a funnel cake

• 1 3/4 cups (415ml) whole milk

• Cooking spray

Fried Chicken

• 1 1/2 cups (355ml) buttermilk

• 3 tablespoons (32g) pickle juice, (optional)

• 3 teaspoons (8g) paprika, divided

• 4 teaspoons (14g) Kosher salt, divided

• 2 teaspoons (12g) MSG, divided (optional)

• 8 chicken drumsticks

• 2 cups (300g) all-purpose flour

• 1 tablespoon (13g) garlic powder

• ½ teaspoon (2g) onion powder

• 1 teaspoon (2g) celery powder, (optional)

• 14 cups (3.3L) vegetable oil, for frying

Nashville Hot Oil

• 1 tablespoon (15g) granulated sugar

• 2 teaspoon (7g) Kosher salt

• 2 teaspoons (5g) paprika

• 1 tablespoon (13g) garlic powder

• 3 tablespoons (30g) cayenne powder

• 1/2 teaspoon (5g) onion powder

• 1 teaspoon (5g) MSG, (optional)

• 1 cup (240ml) hot oil, from the fryer

Assembly

• Fried Chicken

• Nashville Hot oil

• Waffles

• Unsalted butter, to taste

• Maple syrup or honey, to serve (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

For The Waffles

1. In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder until combined.

2. In a separate medium bowl whisk together the eggs, oil, and milk until homogeneous.

3. Whisking constantly, add the wet ingredients into the dry and continue to whisk until a smooth batter forms. Season with a little more salt to taste.

4. To cook the waffles there are a few options:

   1. Option 1 - Preheat a waffle iron and grease liberally with cooking spray. Add the batter and cook according to your machine’s settings. Remove the waffle to a sheet pan and repeat with the remaining batter, keeping the waffles warm in a low oven if you’d like.

   2. Option 2 - Grease a grill pan over medium heat on the stovetop. Add the batter in an even layer and cook, like a pancake, until golden brown and cooked through on the first side. Flip and cook on the second side until done. Repeat with the remaining batter.

   3. Option 3 - Fill a heavy bottom pot halfway with vegetable oil and heat to 350℉ / 177℃. Add the batter to a pastry bag, zip top bag or in a squeeze bottle. Pipe the batter into the hot oil in a zig-zag pattern and fry until golden brown and crisp. Flip and fry on the other side, about 2 minutes per side. Remove to a wire rack and repeat with the remaining batter.

For The Fried Chicken

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, pickle juice, 2 teaspoons paprika, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon MSG until combined. Add the chicken and toss to coat. Set aside to marinate.

2. In another large bowl whisk together the flour, 1 teaspoon paprika, 2 teaspoons salt, garlic powder, onion powder, celery powder and 1 teaspoon MSG.

3. Fill a heavy bottom pot halfway with vegetable oil and heat to 350℉ / 177℃. If you fried the waffle batter in oil, just reuse that oil.

4. When ready to fry, flick some of the marinade into the dry ingredients and mix to combine. This will create small flecks of dredge that will add extra crunch to your fried chicken.

5. Dredge the chicken in the flour, making sure it is fully coated. Place on a sheet pan and repeat with the remaining chicken.

6. Add 3-4 drumsticks to the hot oil, it's important to cook the chicken in batches so as not to overcrowd the oil. Once the chicken is added, the oil temperature will drop down to between 310 and 325℉ / 163℃. Maintain that temperature and fry the chicken for 5-8 minutes or until golden brown, crispy and the internal temperature reads 165℉ / 74℃. Remove to a sheet pan lined with a wire rack.

7. Allow the oil temperature to come back up to 350℉ / 177℃ and then repeat frying the remaining chicken.

For The Nashville Hot Oil

1. Whisk everything, but the hot oil, together in a medium bowl to combine.

2. Ladle in the hot oil and whisk until the spices dissolve into the oil.

Assembly

1. Coat the fried chicken completely in the hot oil. Drain on a sheet pan lined with a wire rack.

2. Place a waffle on a serving plate, top with a pat of butter and the fried chicken and drizzle syrup or honey over the top. Serve immediately.