Buttermilk-Brined Fried Chicken with Hot Honey and Waffles

Ingredients

• 4 pieces (about 1.5 lb) bone-in chicken thighs and drumsticks
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 2 tbsp hot sauce
• 1 tbsp kosher salt
• 2 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 6 cups vegetable oil for frying
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (waffles)
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 2 eggs
• 4 tbsp melted butter
• 1 cup milk
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1 tbsp hot sauce (hot honey)(optional)
• 3 tbsp butter (softened, for honey butter)
• to taste flaky salt(optional)

Instructions

1. 1

   The night before (or at least 12 hours ahead): whisk buttermilk, 2 tbsp hot sauce, salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and 1/2 tsp cayenne in a large bowl. Add chicken, submerge, cover, and refrigerate 12 hours.

2. 2

   Day of cooking (about 60 minutes active): remove chicken from fridge 30 minutes before frying. Whisk flour, cornstarch, black pepper, and remaining cayenne in a shallow dish. Dredge each piece in the seasoned flour, dip back into the buttermilk marinade, then dredge again, pressing firmly to form a craggy coating. Rest breaded chicken 10 minutes.

3. 3

   Preheat the oven to 250°F and set a wire rack over a baking sheet. Heat oil in a heavy Dutch oven to 350°F. Fry chicken in batches, 12-14 minutes per batch, turning occasionally and maintaining 300-325°F, until deep golden and 165°F inside. Drain on the rack and keep warm in the oven.

4. 4

   While the chicken fries, make waffle batter: whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Whisk in eggs, melted butter, and milk until just combined. Cook in a preheated waffle iron until golden and crisp, about 4-5 minutes per waffle (about 15 minutes total).

5. 5

   Make hot honey butter: whip softened butter with a pinch of salt, then warm honey with 1 tbsp hot sauce in the microwave for 20 seconds and stir half into the butter; reserve the rest as drizzling honey.

6. 6

   To serve (about 5 minutes): stack a waffle on each plate, top with fried chicken, spread with hot honey butter, drizzle with hot honey, and finish with flaky salt.