When I told Babyface that we were having chicken and waffles for dinner on Saturday, he turned to me and said, “Wait. That’s a real thing? Like with real waffles?” Canada and the States have a lot of cultural similarities, but chicken and waffles are a concept uniquely American. But once he took a bite, my favorite Canadian was happy to be turned onto this American dish. It was love at first creamy, flavorful bite.
There are a few different variations on the chicken and waffles theme. Most typically, when you hear someone talk about “chicken and waffles” they mean fried chicken and waffles, which I’ve never actually had, but as with all things fried chicken, I’m assuming it’s delicious. There is also a lesser known version that pairs the waffle with a creamy, chicken gravy. The crispy, fluffy waffle is an amazing partner to the smooth, creamy gravy.
Oh, and you veggies, out there, don’t fear! This sucker could very easily made into a vegetarian dish. Just use veggie broth instead of chicken and leave out the chopped chicken. The flavor will be nearly identical, but you’ll have to come up with a new name for it, obviously.
Cleaned-Up Creamy Chicken and Waffles
This hearty dish is a great way to get the feeling of comfort food without the guilt. With a ton of good-for-you veggies, one serving of this packs in a whole range of nutrients while satisfying your soul, too.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 stalks celery, chopped
- 4 carrots, sliced
- 8 ounces button mushrooms, sliced
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 medium potato, diced
- 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and diced
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup chopped, cooked chicken
- 1 cup frozen peas
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon dried sage
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/2 cup non-fat milk
- 1 batch of your favorite waffles (about 6 large)
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-low heat. Add onion, garlic, celery, carrots and mushrooms. Saute until all veggies are softened, about 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a saucepan, combine the broth, potatoes, sweet potatoes and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat, remove bay leaves and discard, set aside.
- In the large skillet, sprinkle flour over veggies and stir until flour is absorbed. Cook for 2-3 minutes. Pour in broth and potato mixture and stir until flour is dissolved. Stir in chicken, peas, salt, pepper, sage, thyme, rosemary and milk. Simmer for 8-10 minutes or until gravy is thick and creamy. Serve over hot waffles.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1 servingAmount Per Serving: Calories: 258Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 33mgSodium: 665mgCarbohydrates: 31gFiber: 5gSugar: 7gProtein: 12g
At Wholefully, we believe that good nutrition is about much more than just the numbers on the nutrition facts panel. Please use the above information as only a small part of what helps you decide what foods are nourishing for you.
Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles in both Chicago and LA are great restaurants for fried chicken and waffles, and in Atlanta the Famous Gladys Knight Chicken and Waffles are quite tasty,
That looks so good to me 😀 I think I’ve heard of chicken and waffles – the idea is still really new to me – but I’ve definitely never tried it. Looks delicious. I’d try it 😀
Let me know how you like it! 🙂
That looks just delicious! It reminds me a little of Chicken à la King, which my dad used to make and serve on toast. With time, I’ve adapted it to add more veggies and lighten it up, and I serve it on Vol aux vents (puff pastry) or pasta. Now I think I might try it on waffles!
Oooh! Do you have the recipe posted? That sounds awesome!
I’ve never heard of chicken and waffles either! Granted, I grew up in the Northeast US, where apparently they aren’t a thing.
It’s like, as soon as you cross over the Ohio River into Kentucky, there are chicken and waffles places on every corner. It’s a whole ‘nother world down there!
Fried chicken & waffles are awesome. My husband’s had them twice, both times at Hash House A-Go-Go in Vegas (google their menu, it is amazing). I think there’s a picture of the dish in my Facebook Vegas album.
Oh my gosh! YUM. 🙂 Now I really, really want some fried chicken.
I’ve never even heard of chicken and waffles. When I saw your tweet about it, this is not what I pictured. The chicken looks yummy, but… I don’t know if I could eat it on a waffle! My mind isn’t wrapping around it. Haha.
Hahahah! I guess Southern food wasn’t all that popular in California, either? 😛
I have never had chicken and waffles. I always have thought of it as a “southern” thing, but we do have a few chain restaurants here that offer it.
I love chicken and biscuits with gravy! Idk if I could get down with chicken and waffles.
Mmmm! Biscuits and gravy are awesome. 🙂 YUM. Now I want some!