RECIPE | Crumbed chicken strips and waffles

In the American South they serve fried chicken and waffles for breakfast with butter and syrup. On the East Coast the chicken is pulled (shredded) and covered in gravy.

Here's a more travel-friendly version perfect for a picnic

Makes: 24

Chicken:

4 chicken breast fillets

1 garlic clove, minced

125ml (½ cup) orange juice

60g (½ cup) flour

Pinch of dried mixed herbs

Salt and pepper

1 egg

15ml (1 tbsp) water

60g (½ cup) Panko or other breadcrumbs

Oil, for deep-frying

Waffles:

200g flour

70g (½ cup) cornflour

5ml (1 tsp) baking powder

2.5ml (¼ tsp) bicarbonate of soda

5ml (1 tsp) salt

250ml (1 cup) milk

15ml (1 tbsp) vinegar

2 eggs, lightly beaten

125g butter, melted

30ml (2 tbsp) vegetable oil

25g (4 tbsp) grated parmesan

To serve:

250ml (1 cup) mayonnaise, mixed with a dollop of sriracha or other hot chilli sauce

Pickled jalapeño peppers

Lemon or lime wedges

Method

1) For the chicken strips, cut each chicken breast into 6 long strips. Stir the garlic into the orange juice and immerse the chicken strips in this mixture. Cover and leave in the refrigerator to marinate for 30 minutes.

2) Season the flour with the mixed herbs, salt and pepper and place in a shallow bowl. In another bowl, whisk the egg with a splash of water. Place the breadcrumbs in a third bowl.

3) Remove the chicken strips from the marinade and dip each strip first in flour, then egg wash and finally breadcrumbs, rolling to coat well.

4) Arrange the strips in a single layer on a baking tray and refrigerate for 1 hour. Deep-fry the chicken strips in hot oil until golden brown. Drain on paper towel.

5) For the waffles, sift together all the dry ingredients. Combine the milk and vinegar, add to the flour mixture and beat well. Beat in the eggs, butter and oil until well combined, then gently fold in the parmesan.

6) Heat a waffle maker (without greasing) and cook tablespoons of batter on the hot grid until golden brown.

7) Serve the waffles hot with the crumbed chicken strips, spicy mayonnaise, pickled jalapeños and lemon or lime wedges.