Gluten-Free Crispy Chicken Cheddar Cornbread Waffles
Crispy gluten-free breaded chicken tenders paired with savory cheddar cornbread waffles. Cornmeal batter studded with sharp cheddar, optional jalapeño heat, and fresh chives bakes into golden, tender waffles. Drizzle with honey and serve alongside oven-baked chicken for a gluten-free take on comfort food.
Ingredients
- 12 ounce Bell & Evans Gluten-Free Breaded Chicken Tenders, frozen
- 2 cup cornmeal, organic, non-GMO
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 jalapeno pepper, minced, seeds removed(optional)
- 5 TB unsalted butter, melted, divided
- 2 TB honey, plus more for serving
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 TB chives, snipped
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 375°F. Spread frozen chicken tenders on a baking sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes until internal temperature reaches 170°F when measured with a meat thermometer.
- 2
Preheat waffle maker.
- 3
Mix cornmeal, baking powder, salt, cheddar cheese, and minced jalapeño in a large bowl.
- 4
Whisk melted butter, honey, beaten eggs, and buttermilk in a separate medium bowl.
- 5
Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
- 6
Brush waffle iron with remaining butter.
- 7
Ladle batter into waffle mold and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until golden. Repeat with remaining batter.
- 8
Cut waffles into quarters and serve hot with chicken tenders, drizzled with honey and sprinkled with chives.
Tips
Use a meat thermometer to verify chicken reaches 170°F internal temperature for food safety.
Stir waffle batter just until combined to avoid overmixing, which toughens waffles.
Good to Know
Refrigerate leftover waffles in airtight container up to 3 days. Reheat in toaster oven at 350°F until warmed through.
Prepare waffle batter up to 2 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bake chicken while waffle maker heats just before serving.
Serve hot waffles with chicken tenders, drizzled with honey, sprinkled with chives.
Common Mistakes
Overmix batter to avoid dense, tough waffles.
Underfill waffle mold to avoid overflow.
Skip meat thermometer to avoid undercooked chicken.