A Dose of PA Dutch - Chicken and Waffles

When I mention the words "chicken and waffles" to someone, I get one of two extreme reactions--extreme love, or extreme disgust. 

Listen. I come from Central Pennsylvania. The land of the Amish, fatty foods, and back road eateries where said Amish folks make said fatty foods. Chicken and waffles is one of those delicacies I grew up eating at home, at church, and at restaurants. The other night for some reason I was craving that taste, so I knew I was going to need to whip some up when I got home.

Central PA Chicken and Waffles

You will need: 

For the gravy:

4 tsps butter

1/2 c flour

2 cups of chicken stock

7-8 pieces of frozen chicken cutlets (I love Trader Joes frozen chicken! Just buy a huge bag and keep it in your freezer for times like this.)

For the waffles:

Waffle mix

Eggs

Oil

1. Cook the chicken in the microwave according to directions on the bag. I stuck mine in a microwave safe dish and cooked on high for five minutes, rotated/flipped them over, and then continued to cook on high for another five minutes.

2. While the chicken is cooking in the microwave, make your gravy. Start out by melting the butter in a medium saucepan on medium high heat. Once melted, slowly add flour to make a roux. After all the flour has been added, slowly whisk in the chicken stock and continue to whisk until smooth. 

3. If you time it right, your chicken should be done cooking by the time you are done mixing the gravy base. Now, cut up the chicken into small pieces and mix into the gravy. Turn heat down to low and let simmer while you fire up the waffle iron.

4. Cook waffles according to directions, pretty much something along the lines of mix, pour into iron, and cook until it beeps. Even easier: pop some eggos into the toaster. Leggo my Eggo!

And that's it! An easy dinner to satisfy a unique craving. Best enjoyed on vintage Pyrex plates. It might not be the prettiest thing, but it sure hit the spot when I was missing home.

(Speaking of Pyrex, check out Allison's feature on vintage Pyrex...makes my heart swoon.)