The best chicken strips start with a well seasoned flour coating.  It’s then fried to perfection and drenched in a warm spicy maple syrup, and piled atop french toast that you cook with a waffle iron.

I’m getting the hang of new technology.  Blessed to have an IPhone(my first), my daughter has been teaching me all about photography Apps, especially using Pic Stitch(see the photo above) and Instagram.

This meal actually started out as just chicken strips but, ended in a flourish of egg nog french toast and spicy hot maple syrup.  Although completely improvised, and making use of leftover egg nog and a waffle iron, it turned out to be the best chicken and waffles I’ve ever tasted!

Chicken & Waffle Iron French Toast with Spicy Hot Maple Syrup
Serves 4

Chicken Strips:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded to 1/2 inch thickness
1 cup buttermilk
1 egg
1 teaspoon onion powder, divided
1 teaspoon seasoned salt, divided
1 teaspoon black pepper, divided
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese, finely grated
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
Cooking oil

Cut chicken into small strips, about 6 strips per breast, and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper, stir to coat all pieces.  In a large bowl, whisk together buttermilk and egg until well blended.  Add chicken strips, stir to make sure all pieces are covered in the buttermilk mixture, cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, before cooking. Make the french toast batter while you wait.

When ready to fry, stir together flour, Parmesan cheese, sugar, baking powder, and remaining seasonings(onion powder, seasoned salt, and black pepper) in a large rimmed dish.  Remove chicken from buttermilk mixture, shaking off excess, and coat strips in seasoned flour mixture.  Heat 1 inch of oil in a large heavy skillet, on medium high heat, until oil is about 350 degrees.  Add strips, one at a time, to hot oil.  As crust forms, turn chicken strips, allowing to cook on all sides until golden brown, about 6-8 minutes total.  Remove from heat and drain on rack(place paper towels on a plate and place rack above) to keep chicken strips crispy.

Egg Nog Waffle Iron French Toast:
1 cup milk
1/2 cup egg nog…No egg nog?  Just use more milk and add 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg.
2 eggs
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 slices of bread
1/4 cup sliced almonds, optional

In a bowl, beat eggs until frothy.  Add milk, egg nog, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla, beating until well mixed.  Heat waffle iron.  When ready, working one at a time, dip bread into french toast mixture and coat both sides.  Transfer to waffle iron, sprinkle with a few almonds.  Close top and cook until toast is golden brown* and easily removed from waffle iron.  Repeat with remaining pieces of bread.

Spicy Hot Maple Syrup
1/2 cup maple syrup
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Place all ingredients into a small saucepan and heat on low, until butter is melted and mixture begins to simmer.  Stir and remove from heat.  Reheat when ready to serve

When ready to serve, place 1 slice of french toast per plate.  Top with chicken strips and drizzle with warm syrup.