CHICKEN & WAFFLES WITH HOT HONEY

Steps:

• 1. In medium saucepan over medium heat, add honey, chile paste, salt, garlic & onion powder. Whisk until well combined and warmed through. Keep warm. 2. Preheat oven to 200°. Heat a waffle iron until hot. In a large mixing bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, sugar and salt. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour in the milk, eggs and melted butter. Use a rubber spatula to mix until the batter is combined. Stir in the cheddar cheese, chives and black pepper. 3. Spray the waffle iron with nonstick cooking spray and add enough batter to fill the waffles an inch from the edge (when you close the iron, the batter will spread on its own). Close the waffle iron and cook until the waffles are golden-brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove the waffles from the iron, transfer the waffles to a baking sheet and place in the oven to keep warm. Repeat with the remaining batter. 4. Set a wire rack over a paper-towel-lined baking sheet. In a large bowl, stir together the buttermilk, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, ¼ teaspoon salt and ⅛ teaspoon black pepper. Place the chicken in the buttermilk mixture. Add enough oil to come 5 to 6 inches up the sides of a large pot and place over medium-high heat. Heat the oil until it reaches 350° on an instant-read thermometer. 5. Place the flour in a shallow bowl and season with the remaining ¼ teaspoon salt and ⅛ teaspoon pepper. Strain the chicken through a fine-mesh sieve, then add the chicken pieces to the flour mixture, turning the chicken to evenly coat. Transfer the chicken, one piece at a time, to the hot oil, adding just enough so that the chicken pieces don't touch as they fry. Fry the chicken, using a frying spider or a slotted spoon to turn the pieces over occasionally, until the chicken is browned on all sides and cooked through, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer the fried chicken to the wire rack to drain. 6. Stack waffles, chicken, drizzle ho