Chicken Caesar Waffle Sandwich (Print)

Grilled chicken, romaine, and parmesan combined between savory stuffing waffles for a satisfying handheld meal.

# Components:

→ Stuffing Waffles

01 - 4 cups day-old bread, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
02 - 1/2 cup celery, finely chopped
03 - 1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
04 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
05 - 1 teaspoon dried sage
06 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
09 - 2 large eggs
10 - 1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
11 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

→ Chicken

12 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
13 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
14 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
15 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
16 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

→ Caesar Salad Filling

17 - 4 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
18 - 1/2 cup Caesar dressing (store-bought or homemade)
19 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
20 - 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)

→ Assembly

21 - 1/2 cup shaved Parmesan cheese
22 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the waffle iron. In a large bowl, combine bread cubes, celery, onion, parsley, sage, thyme, salt, and pepper. In another bowl, whisk eggs, chicken broth, and melted butter together. Pour this over the bread mixture and toss gently until evenly coated and slightly moist. Lightly grease the waffle iron, spoon approximately 1 cup of mixture onto the center, and close the iron. Cook for 5 to 8 minutes until waffles are golden and crisp. Repeat to make 8 waffles. Transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool slightly.
02 - Slice chicken breasts horizontally to create 4 thin cutlets. Rub each with olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Grill or pan-sear over medium-high heat for 4 to 5 minutes per side until fully cooked (internal temperature 165°F). Allow to rest briefly before slicing.
03 - In a large bowl, toss chopped romaine lettuce with Caesar dressing and grated Parmesan cheese until well coated. Add halved cherry tomatoes if desired and mix gently.
04 - Place one stuffing waffle on a plate, layer with sliced chicken breast, a generous portion of Caesar salad filling, and shaved Parmesan cheese. Top with another stuffing waffle and finish with a grind of freshly ground black pepper. Repeat to assemble a total of 4 sandwiches. Serve immediately.

# Chef Secrets:

01 -
  • It transforms boring leftover stuffing into something people actually get excited about.
  • You get the Caesar salad experience without needing a fork and knife, which feels like a small miracle.
  • The texture contrast between crispy waffles and juicy chicken makes every bite interesting.
02 -
  • The bread-to-broth ratio is crucial; too much liquid and you'll end up with soggy, dense waffles that don't crisp up, but too little and they'll fall apart when you try to remove them from the iron.
  • Slice your chicken thin—thick cutlets sound like a good idea but they take forever to cook through and the outside gets tough before the inside is done.
  • Assemble these right before eating; a waffle that's been sitting for more than a few minutes loses its crispy edge and starts to absorb moisture from the filling.
03 -
  • Use a waffle iron with good temperature control—cheap irons heat unevenly and create some waffles that are burned on one side and pale on the other.
  • Don't press down on the waffle iron lid while cooking; it squeezes out moisture and creates a dense, compact waffle instead of a crispy one with nice structure.
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