Maple Chicken and Waffle Tacos
We all know the famous duo of chicken and waffles right? I found a more convenient (and utensil free) way of eating it. It’s in TACO form! It’s a quick and easy way to pick up your whole meal and gobble it up. The great thing about chicken and waffles is that you eat it pretty much any time of the day; breakfast, lunch, dinner or as a snack!
The twist I put on this classic is the sweet and savory combo of cheese and bacon waffles with crunchy, oven-baked maple chicken. Your taste buds will thank you!
Ingredients for waffles:
-2 cups flour
-1 teaspoon salt
-4 teaspoons baking powder
-2 tablespoons sugar
-1 teaspoon chili powder
-2 eggs
-1 ½ cups milk
-1/3 cup melted butter
-1 teaspoon vanilla
-6 strips cooked bacon (chopped)
-2 cups shredded mild cheddar cheese
Ingredients for chicken:
-1 package organic chicken tender strips
-1 egg (beaten)
-1/2 cup maple syrup
-2 cups Panko
-1 teaspoon mustard seed
-1 teaspoon chili powder
-salt and pepper to taste
Garnish:
-apple chips
TOOLS:
-waffle iron
-muffin/cupcake tin
-two rectangular dishes
Step#1
Start by using a slotted baking sheet to cook your bacon in the oven. Once crisp (about 10 minutes) and cooled, chop or rip up into pieces.
Step#2
Using all your ingredients for the waffles only, whisk the wet ingredients first, then stir in the dry ingredients. Finish by folding in the bacon and shredded cheddar.
Step#3
Spray your waffle iron with non-stick spray and scoop two scoops of batter in center of waffle iron. Close and wait for ready light to tell you when it’s done.
Step#4
Using tongs, carefully take your waffle out and immediately place between two muffin cups on an upside down muffin tin. It will hold your waffle in place as it cools into a taco shell shape.
Step#5
As your “taco shells” cool, you can start making the chicken. Using the ingredients for the chicken only, take one of the two rectangular dishes, whisk the milk, egg, and maple syrup together. In the other dish, mix together Panko, mustard seed, chili powder, salt and pepper.
Step #6
Dip your raw chicken into the liquid mixture first and then the Panko mixture. Place on a lined baking sheet. Spoon on more of the liquid mixture on top and then spoon on more Panko mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes.
Step#7
Place about two chicken tenders into a waffle “taco shell." Top with apple chips and take a big crunchy bite!
FUN FACT: This dish is best known as Southern “soul food” which uses fried chicken. I baked the chicken to reduce the fat but kept the crunch with the Panko. Many like to top it with a scoop of ice cream!
