First, preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set a metal cooling rack on top. This will allow the air to circulate around the chicken as it cooks, ensuring a crispy texture. Spray the rack with nonstick spray to prevent sticking.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg whites and buttermilk until frothy. This mixture will help the cornflakes stick to the chicken and create that desired crunch.
In another medium bowl, pour in the crushed corn flakes cereal. Make sure they are evenly crushed for the best coating on the chicken.
Take each piece of chicken and dip it into the egg white mixture, allowing excess to drip off. Then, roll it in the cornflakes, pressing firmly to ensure they adhere well.
Place the coated drumsticks on the prepared cooling rack. This setup is crucial as it allows the chicken to bake evenly, resulting in a beautifully browned and crispy finish. Bake for about 45 to 50 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. If they start to brown too quickly, cover them with aluminum foil.
While the chicken is baking, preheat your waffle iron. This will ensure it's hot and ready when your batter is mixed.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, granulated sugar, and kosher salt. This dry mixture is the foundation for your waffles.
Next, add the milk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined; don’t overmix as this can affect the texture of the waffles.
Pour about ¼ to ½ cup of the batter into the preheated waffle iron. Close the lid and cook until the waffle is golden brown and crispy. Repeat this process with the remaining batter.
Once everything is cooked, serve the waffles warm on a plate, topped with the crispy chicken. Drizzle with honey for that sweet touch, and enjoy your homemade Chicken and Waffles!