This inexpensive, sweet and savory southern meal provides my family of 5 a fulfilling amount of food to eat anytime of the week. Chicken and waffles can be time consuming to prepare, but it is well worth the easy steps and delicious flavor. This dish includes sweet waffles, crispy chicken, and a spicy syrup to top it all off.

This meal would cost about $18-$24 for a family of 5, with a few servings left over for a nice lunch. If you plan to make for a smaller group of people (2-3) cut ingredients in half, and if you plan to make for a larger group of people (8-10) double the ingredients. Depending on the number of people in your group, this could cause a varying price range. 

Approximate prices of Ingredients:

• Fresh, uncooked chicken tenders cost around $9 for 2 ¼-3 ¼ pounds 
• Pre-made frozen waffles $2-3 per box
• Waffle mix costs about $2
• A bottle of barbecue sauce $2
• A bottle of sriracha sauce $3-4
• A box of panko bread crumbs $3-4

Ingredients:

• Salt and pepper, amount depends on your liking
• 1 ½ pounds of fresh chicken tenders
• Have at least 10 waffles, about 2 waffles per person, so this depends on how many you are feeding, or a box of pancake/waffle mix if you plan to make your own waffles
• 1 cup of vegetable oil
• 1 ½ cups of flour
• ½ teaspoon of pepper
• 2-3 eggs
• 2 cups of panko bread crumbs or any other type of bread crumbs that you may prefer
• 1 teaspoon of paprika
• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon of onion powder
• ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes
• ⅔ cups of maple syrup
• 4 tablespoons of barbecue sauce
• 2 teaspoons of sriracha

Waffles:

1. You can use any type of frozen waffle and toast according to the package.
2. If you would like to make your own waffles, you can buy pancake/waffle mix and make according to the package. (Only if you have a waffle maker.)

Before you start to coat the chicken, take a large deep skillet and pour 1 cup of vegetable oil; heat to approximately 350 degrees fahrenheit or medium on your stove.

Next, prep your coating station:

1. First, you need 3 of the same sized containers; one for flour, one for the whisked eggs, and one for the seasoned panko bread crumbs.
2. Container #1: Take 1 ½ cups of flour and pour into the container, and then add ½ teaspoon of salt, and ½ teaspoon of pepper. Mix well.
3. Container #2: Whisk 2-3 eggs.
4. Container #3: Pour 2 cups of panko bread crumbs into the container, and then add 1 teaspoon of paprika, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, ½ teaspoon of onion powder, and ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes. Mix well.

Chicken:

1. Take chicken tenders and season them with salt to your liking.
2. Take 1 chicken tender and dip in flour, completely coat and shake off excess flour.
3. Next, take the tender and dip into the egg mix (container #2). 
4. Then dip into the panko bread crumbs (container #3), coat completely. Pick it up and lightly shake off excess.
5. Place tender slowly into the preheated oil.
6. Cook each individual tender for 3-4 minutes on each side.
7. Repeat steps 1-6 for all tenders until done.

Sauce:

1. Use a medium sized mixing bowl for the syrup mixture.
2. Pour ⅔ cups of maple syrup.
3. Pour 4 tablespoons of barbecue sauce.
4. Pour 2 teaspoons of sriracha.
5. Whisk ingredients together thoroughly.

Plating:

Take 1 waffle and place two tenders per waffle. Then drizzle your sauce across the top, and you are ready to serve.

Side ideas could include salad, fruit, or steamed vegetables.