It is always a joy to eat chicken and waffles! However, there are so many variants out there that it can be very confusing if you aren’t an expert on how to eat chicken and waffles!
There are a few recipes and tips that you can use to come up with the perfect chicken and waffles meal for any occasion. It can make an ideal choice for a sweet snack or a cheat-day dinner. It can also be an everyday side dish to go with many sauces that anybody can customize to their taste!
The history of waffles in America started in 1600 and developed over the years. While in the beginning, the first waffle’s topping was fried catfish, it then changed to fried chicken. While the most traditional version is the American Soul Food recipe with fried chicken, today there are hundreds of options for anybody’s liking or dietary requirement.
Let’s have a look at the best chicken and waffles recipes and at the secret tips that make them unique!
Chicken and Waffles
Traditional Chicken and Waffles
The traditional chicken and waffles recipe was born in a tavern in Pennsylvania in 1900. While previous variants included catfish, the one that is known today as the original version is the fried chicken and waffles one.
Initially, this dish was considered a delicacy for a special occasion, but today it is the perfect quick meal to be had at any time! It is still today one of the most popular choices of chicken and waffles, but there are options for it!
Southern-Style Chicken and Waffles
If you are planning to cook the original recipe at home, deep-frying the chicken might not be the easiest of processes. It will take time, and can be quite a commitment. However, there are variants to this recipe that you can make easily at home in no time!
The Southern-style recipe only involves pan-frying marinated chicken breasts or thighs. You can cook a whole bunch of these in about 20 minutes and make the entire family happy! If you are a fan of syrup on chicken and waffles,then this is the recipe for you! You can enhance the flavor of the buttermilk batter with maple syrup, and you will have a delicious sweet and sour meal!
Chicken and Waffles for Breakfast
Sweet
A chicken and waffles breakfast is not just every kid’s dream! For a sweet breakfast, the secret is in the waffles! Make yours with sugar or honey so that it will give a sweet taste to your meal.
If you have a sweet tooth and a delicious waffle is not enough, syrup is the answer! Add syrup on the chicken and waffles to enhance the sugary taste of the waffles. We recommend Maple syrup or honey for this recipe. For the brave ones, here is a secret on how to eat chicken and waffles: add a spicy sauce to it, and you will have a great sweet and spicy breakfast.
Savory
While a savory recipe is the perfect chicken and waffles breakfast option, you can also eat these at all times of the day! Make your waffles with salt instead of sugar and add gravy on top of the chicken. Now you can enjoy the perfect chicken and waffles for breakfast, lunch, or brunch.
The recipes for savory chicken and waffles are many, and you can adapt them to your taste. Moreover, you can add herbs or seasoning to the waffles and their sauces. It will give them a personalized touch! Also, some customers have tried adding sausages to their chicken and waffles for breakfast, and it’s delicious.
Keep reading for some topping ideas for the perfect breakfast chicken and waffles.
Chicken and Waffles Toppings
Here is where you can get creative! Yes, the basic recipe is quite simple, but that leaves a lot of room for personalization! Chicken and waffles toppings are many, and only a few combinations have been tried! Here are a few ideas, but feel free to create your own chicken and waffle!
Bacon
For the fans of the classic recipe, the apparent addition is crispy bacon. You can also turn your waffles into a BLT. Just add lettuce and tomato and another layer of waffles on top. It is perfect for a quick lunch, especially if you need to pick up some energy!
Cheese
Who doesn’t love a cheese toastie?
Well, you can turn your chicken and waffles into a creamy chicken cheese toastie. Just prepare a panini-like meal and leave it on the grill for a few minutes. You will have the most delicious chicken and waffles filled with grilled cheese. While yes, this is a caloric bomb, you will not regret eating a couple!
Eggs
For the fans of the full English breakfast, now you can turn your chicken and waffles into one! Just add the eggs you prefer (fried or sunny side up recommended), bacon, and hash browns. While you can try this with your homemade sauce, the simplest option is to use ketchup or brown sauce like a real English breakfast. This option is best saved for a lazy Sunday morning! Whoever tries it says it is a filling meal!
Vegetables and Fruit
Add as many vegetables as you like, and you will have a healthier version of chicken and waffles. Sautéed mushrooms, roasted peppers, onions, and tomatoes are the perfect additions for a savory option. If you prefer a sweeter taste, bananas have been already tried with chicken and waffles, and it’s delicious.
However, nothing is stopping you from trying all the other combinations out there!
Make Your Chicken and Waffles Vegetarian
With Quorn and other brands of fake meat, it is possible to keep eating your chicken and waffles breakfast even if you have decided to stop eating meat! Moreover, follow a recipe for a gluten-free waffle, and you will have the healthiest option on the market. Just add as many veggies as you like, and you will be doing something good for both your stomach and the planet!
Chicken and Waffles Sauces and Gravy
Sweet Sauces
The sauces for chicken and waffles can be many. Often, they are not too easy to find on the market, but you can create a delicious one yourself or adapt a commercial one easily bought from a local shop to your taste.
To eat chicken and waffles as a sweet meal, the best sauces on the market are hot honey or maple syrup sauces. These are incredibly accessible and will give your meal the extra sweet touch you need. If you can’t find them in the supermarket, they are effortless to make and are perfect for your chicken and waffles breakfast, brunch, and snacks.
Spicy Sauces
If you love a spicy taste, you can create a sweet and spicy sauce in minutes! It is an easy process. Just mix chili peppers, vinegar garlic, and herbs you like. A sweet and spicy sauce can easily be found in the supermarket too. By adding guacamole and chorizo to it, you will have the Latino-inspired spicy chicken and waffles of your dreams.
Savory Sauces
For a savory meal, there are hundreds of choices out there. Here are some examples:
- While our favorite is the cheese sauce, which goes well with any chicken and waffle you are planning to have, you can create one from scratch.
- If you are aiming at softening the spiciness of chicken cooked with chili peppers, you can create a tzatziki sauce with herbs and cucumber that will give your meal a refreshing touch.
- With your pulled chicken and waffle meals, a peppercorn sauce could add the little extra flavor that you need.
Creamy and Savory Gravy
The perfect chicken and waffles gravy does exist! For oven cooked chicken and waffles, chicken gravy could be perfect for enhancing the flavor of the herbs used during the cooking process. Moreover, a creamy and peppery gravy on top of your fried chicken can make the ideal comfort food. While quite filling, it is also a satisfying meal.
Sweet Gravy
Maple gravy can be perfect for any chicken. While this is preferred for breakfast chicken and waffles, it can also be added on top of your snack. It adds flavor to pulled chicken and waffles and enhances the taste of your fried chicken.
Bottom Line
Chicken and waffles are popular comfort food for a reason. It can be customized to your taste, with hundreds of combinations to keep every meal fresh. Do you like chicken and waffles? Do you have suggestions on how to eat chicken and waffles or a new recipe? Let us know by leaving a comment below!
