Delicious Bacon Cheddar Waffles and Chicken, feature savoury waffles, flavoured with bacon, cheese and cornmeal and topped with baked boneless, breaded chicken strips. Finished with a drizzle of maple syrup, for a delicious brunch or dinner.
A few months ago, I had my first ever "Chicken and Waffles" experience at the Thompson Diner in Toronto. Needless to say, I now deeply regret all the years before that without chicken and waffles in my life :) Yes, it's a treat and certainly not something that will be in weekly regular rotation here, but gosh ... it's definitely worthy of an occasional indulgence. Life needs chicken and waffles once in a while!
For my version, I skipped the bone-in fried chicken and went for simpler baked, breaded chicken strips. There are some great ones available now, that use all white meat chicken with a simple breading. They bake up lovely and crispy in just about 20 minutes and honestly, I think I prefer that I don't have to eat around the bones.
While the chicken is baking, the waffles can be easily cooked up. The batter comes together quickly, especially if you happen to have some left-over bacon already around. If not, you can cook up a few slices in just a few minutes. Add in some great aged cheddar and you're good to go. The batter has some cornmeal in it as well, which adds great flavour and texture.
Cook's Notes for Bacon Cheddar Waffles and Chicken
Using a really nice Aged Cheddar in these, really helps the cheddar flavour come through, so bust out the good stuff if you can.
I think it goes without saying, but real maple syrup is the best for these. They don't need a lot. Just a splash to moisten.
You can make these waffles ahead, if you are entertaining and would rather not be making the waffles at the last minute (or if you simply want to serve them all at once). Simply allow to cool completely, the loosely cover and refrigerate. Re-warm/re-crisp on a baking sheet in a 350 F. oven for 5-8 minutes. (Obviously, fresh cooked waffles are best, but just throwing this out there if needed).
No Buttermilk? How To Make a Buttermilk Substitute at Home
Add 1 Tbsp. lemon juice or white vinegar to a one-cup liquid measuring cup. Add enough milk to measure 1 cup. Stir, then let stand for 5 minutes. Use in place of buttermilk in any recipe.
No milk? You can combine 3/4 cup yogurt with 1/4 cup water, to create a decent buttermilk substitute. as well.
Bacon Cheddar Waffles with Chicken
Ingredients
Waffles:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornmeal
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar (packed)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 3 large eggs
- 2 cups buttermilk (shaken)
- 2 Tbsp butter (melted and cooled slightly)
- 1 Tbsp bacon fat (melted and cooled slightly)
- 5 strips bacon (cooked and diced)
- 1 1/4 cups grated old cheddar (packed)
- Pure maple syrup (for drizzling)
Instructions
- In a skillet, fry bacon until crisp. Set aside to cool, reserving 1 Tbsp. of the bacon fat for the waffles. When bacon is cool enough, dice and set aside.
- Preheat oven to the recommended temperature for your chicken strips. Bake chicken as specified.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and pepper. In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, melted butter and bacon fat. Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture and stir to combine. Fold in diced bacon and grated cheddar cheese.
- Cook waffles in waffle iron until golden and crisp. Top with cooked chicken strips and a drizzle of maple syrup.
Irene says
I think I'll try this with the poached eggs, sounds delicious!
Jennifer says
Let me know how it is, Irene!
Kristie says
Made this recipe for dinner last night - my family loved it! We had poached eggs on top of the leftover waffles this morning for breakfast! YUM!
Jennifer says
So glad you enjoyed it Kristie and I've been wanting to try these with poached eggs, too. I bet it was delicious! Thanks for coming back to let me know :)
Laura | Tutti Dolci says
Chicken and waffles sound like a perfect combo - love this idea for New Year's Day brunch! :)
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Laura. Happy New Year!
Karen (Back Road Journal) says
I can see I'm going to have to dig out my waffle maker, this meal sounds too good to resist. :D
Jennifer says
Thanks Karen and yes, it's worth busting out the waffle maker ;)
Karly says
Yes. Yes to absolutely everything about this recipe. Hearty, savory, sweet and totally delicious. A must try!!!
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Karly and yes, it's all that, for sure :)
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
I'm another one of those "haven't tried it yet" and honestly I am a bit afraid - I'd like it too much! These waffles look fantastic. The texture is perfection - and the savory cheese addition must be wonderful. What an intoxicating aroma these must have with the bacon, cheese, chicken and then maple syrup. Pure food joy!
Jennifer says
Thanks Tricia and yes, there is a part of me worried that I liked it a little too much ;) I do feel better with the baked chicken though and it was every bit as satisfying!
sue | theviewfromgreatisland says
I want to tuck into that plate so bad...I've never tried chicken and waffles, even though it's so popular here in Los Angeles! You've convinced me I've got to try it, the combo looks incredible
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Sue and yes, I am a bit smitten with the chicken and waffles combination. It needs to be tried, for sure :)