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WHO couldn’t possibly love a good, crispy chicken and waffles recipe? Not this gal, especially since I’ve learned how quick and easy it is to make in the air fryer. Seriously, from prep to plating and fork to mouth in around 30 minutes, this baby costs less than $5.00/serving to make.
The best part is, a serving is about 450 calories (without maple syrup). *For reference, I use Cronometer to calculate calories (an awesome app to have on hand).
Whether you enjoy eating chicken and waffles open faced, or as a sandwich, you’re going to love how easy, delicious and affordable this recipe is have on the fly. No frying oil or fancy, greasy frying contraption needed (just an air fryer and waffle maker). In case you were wondering, I swear by the Big Boss Glass Air Fryer.
Cost breakdown for this recipe
*Note: Item costs can vary based on location, inflation, brand, and sale price. I do my best to buy/suggest the most cost-effective option. I also may not factor certain ingredients into the price where their amounts have an inconsiderable impact, like sugar, spices, salt, oil or baking powder.
| Item purchased | Item Cost | Cost to make recipe |
|---|---|---|
| King Arthur’s Buttermilk Pancake Mix | $5.09 | $0.50 |
| Thinly sliced chicken breast (Sprouts) | $14.36 | ~$1.90 |
| Kikkoman Panko | $2.97 | $0.37 |
| Eggs (Aldi) | $3.55 | $0.30 |
| Maple Syrup (Publix) | $7.19 | ~$0.93 |
| Avocado cooking spray (Aldi) | $3.29 | ~$0.02 |
| Total item(s) cost: $40.13 | Total recipe cost: $4.02 |
*For this recipe, there was a major deal on thinly sliced chicken breast, so I bought roughly 3.6lbs. for the price of $14.36 (equating to 8 thinly sliced chicken breasts in the package).
*If you’re really trying to save money (or you don’t have it on hand), you can technically do without the avocado spray for this recipe.
Money-saving tips
- Buy what’s on sale – sometimes buying in bulk is the better deal in the long run.
- If you already have it in your pantry or fridge, duh, don’t buy it!
- Only buy the amount you need to make the recipe – i.e., if the recipe only calls for 2 lemons, only buy 2 single lemons, don’t buy the bag!
- The price difference between organic, non-organic, fresh and frozen options – organic/frozen can be the most cost effective (i.e., depending on brand/store, if it’s on sale or BOGO).
Crispy panko air fryer chicken and waffles
Juicy yet extra crispy, but also warm and fluffy. Chicken and waffles is a recipe where sweet meets savory, making the two a match made in comfort food heaven. The chicken is panko encrusted and air fried to perfection as a healthier option (not fried in oil), and my go-to buttermilk waffle mix takes the guesswork out of making the perfectly fluffy waffles.
Ingredients
Instructions
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In a small metal mixing bowl, prepare your waffle mix first - one serving (1/3 cup makes two small waffles) of King Arthur's Buttermilk Pancake Mix and 1/4 cup water. Mix well. You want the consistency to be on the thinner (pancake) side, so if you need to add more water you may do so (go with 1 Tbsp increments). Set aside.
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In another bowl, crack one egg, add in your desired seasonings, and whisk. Then place your thinly sliced chicken breast into the egg mixture, allowing it to sit for a few minutes.
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In the meantime, pour your panko breadcrumbs onto a plate, then take your chicken breast and lay it over the panko. Gently press the chicken into the panko, using your fingers to cover the sides and crevices, then flip the chicken over and repeat the process. Do this as many times as needed to ensure your chicken is evenly coated with panko.
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Place your panko encrusted chicken into the air fryer (lightly greased with avocado or olive oil spray), then lightly coat the top of the chicken with oil spray as well. Air fry at 350F for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reads 165F. To prevent burning, flip the chicken using tongs mid-way through.
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While the chicken is being air fried, preheat your waffle maker. Once it's ready, pour in your mixture and allow to cook until golden. Remove waffles carefully onto a serving plate. When your chicken is done, place over the waffles (or arrange how you desire).
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Drizzle with maple syrup and devour!
Note
*Eat Rich Live Full is not a nutritionist or dietitian. For nutritional information, it is advised to refer to a nutritionist, dietitian or an online nutritional resource calculator. Nutritional information can vary depending on ingredients, ingredient types and brands used for each recipe.