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Family Fun in the Kitchen: Delicious Chicken and Waffles with a Vibrant Carrot Salad

Embark on a delightful culinary adventure with your children by making this incredible Chicken and Waffles recipe! It’s a fantastic kitchen project that promises both fun and a truly satisfying meal. Kids will relish every moment of helping out and, even more so, devouring the scrumptious result, perfectly complemented by a yummy shredded carrot salad featuring peanuts and raisins. This dish transforms breakfast favorites into an exciting dinner, creating cherished memories and teaching valuable cooking skills along the way. (Skip to recipes.)

Cooking with Kids: A Culinary Journey with Meredith

Breakfast for Dinner – it’s a concept that always wins hearts, especially when it involves the comforting flavors of Chicken and Waffles! This meal isn’t just a treat for the taste buds; it’s an exceptional opportunity to get both older and younger children involved in the kitchen. Creating a batch of fluffy waffles is a joyful and simple task, and serving them as a foundation for a savory main course adds a wonderfully unique and satisfying twist to the traditional dish.

Imagine a quick-to-prepare, flavorful white sauce, paired with tender, hand-shredded chicken (easily sourced from a ready-made rotisserie chicken for ultimate convenience), all brought together with a sweet drizzle of maple syrup. This combination results in a truly winning meal that comes together surprisingly quickly and offers a fantastic project for the budding chefs in your family. To complete the experience, a vibrant and tasty shredded carrot salad provides a refreshing burst of color, crunch, and essential nutrients, balancing the richness of the main course.

My culinary assistant, Meredith, and I recently embarked on this delightful cooking adventure, and we had an absolutely fantastic time bringing this meal to life. Her enthusiasm was infectious, starting from the moment we began. She particularly enjoyed whisking up the waffle batter, watching it transform from separate ingredients into a smooth, ready-to-cook mixture. Trimming the carrots was another task she tackled with focus, contributing to the fresh components of our meal.

One of the most engaging parts for Meredith was getting her hands a little messy – and learning a great deal – by carefully taking the meat off the chicken carcass. This hands-on task was not just about preparing the chicken; it turned into an excellent impromptu anatomy lesson, allowing her to understand the structure of the animal and appreciate where our food truly comes from. It’s incredibly important for children to grasp the journey of food, from its origin to our plates. Seeing ingredients in their complete state, rather than just as pre-packaged components, fosters a deeper understanding and respect for the food we consume.

For the vibrant carrot salad, Meredith enthusiastically shelled the peanuts, developing fine motor skills and patience. She also eagerly helped grate the carrots. While grating proved to be a bit of a tough job for little hands, we made it a team effort, taking turns to ensure all the carrots were perfectly shredded. This collaborative approach not only speeds up the process but also teaches teamwork and persistence in the kitchen.

With all the components prepped, it was time for the magic to happen: cooking the waffles! The aroma filling the kitchen as the waffle iron worked its charm was simply delightful, building anticipation for the meal to come.

While the waffles were cooking, we moved on to the finishing touches. This included slicing up a couple of fresh green onions for a vibrant garnish, adding a touch of sharpness and color to the final presentation. Simultaneously, we seasoned the carrot salad, ensuring every ingredient was perfectly integrated to create a harmonious blend of flavors and textures.

Meredith truly shone as our designated “assembly line chef.” With precision and pride, she helped put all the delicious components together on the plates, transforming individual ingredients into a beautifully presented meal. And then, the best part: we finally sat down to enjoy the fruits of our labor. The meal received a resounding thumbs up from everyone at the table – a true testament to the joy of cooking and eating together as a family!

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Kitchen Frau Notes for Your Family Cooking Project:

Feel free to use your favorite waffle recipe for this dish, but remember to reduce the sugar to just 1 or 2 teaspoons to ensure it complements the savory chicken and sauce. Alternatively, our tried-and-true recipe below is perfect. If you’re short on time or prefer a simpler approach, you can easily skip making the white sauce. Instead, spread a generous smear of butter or cream cheese across the warm waffle before topping it with chicken for a delicious, creamy base.

For the chicken component, leftover roasted chicken works wonderfully, adding depth of flavor. A fantastic time-saver is to use meat from a purchased rotisserie chicken – simply shred it and you’re good to go!

This recipe is more than just a meal; it’s a skill-building session. Here are some of the practical skills children can practice:

Making Batter: Understanding ingredient ratios and mixing techniques.
Making a Roux: A foundational skill in sauce making (for older kids or with supervision).
Shelling Peanuts: Developing fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
Peeling & Shredding Carrots: Learning safe knife handling (with supervision) or using a grater.
Boning a Cooked Chicken: A practical anatomy lesson and food preparation skill.

This hands-on experience not only results in a delicious meal but also fosters independence and confidence in the kitchen.

Waffles: The Perfect Base for a Savory Meal

Slightly adapted from ‘The Fanny Farmer Cookbook,’ this waffle recipe offers a delightful texture and flavor profile, making it an ideal canvas for our chicken and white sauce.

2 eggs
1 cup (240ml) milk (we used unsweetened almond milk for a dairy-free option)
3 tablespoons oil
1½ cups (210gms) all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend* + ½ teaspoon xanthan gum for gluten-free versions)
1 tablespoon baking powder
2 teaspoons sugar (reduced for savory pairing)
½ teaspoon salt

* For a reliable gluten-free option, we recommend the millet flour blend from Gluten Free Girl: a simple mix of 400 gms millet flour, 300 gms sweet rice flour, and 300 gms potato starch. This blend ensures light and fluffy waffles.

Instructions for Waffles:

In a large mixing bowl, gently beat the eggs until combined.
Add the milk and oil to the beaten eggs and whisk well to incorporate.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour (or gluten-free blend with xanthan gum), baking powder, sugar, and salt.
Gradually whisk the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are perfectly fine.
For best results, allow the batter to rest for 15 to 30 minutes before baking. This allows the flour to fully hydrate, resulting in a tenderer waffle.
Preheat your waffle iron according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Lightly brush the waffle iron plates with oil or spray with cooking oil spray to prevent sticking.
Pour a large spoonful of batter into the center of the preheated waffle iron. Gently spread the batter about 1 inch from the edges to ensure even cooking and a full waffle.
Close the lid and cook until the steaming stops, and the waffles are crispy and golden brown. Cooking time will vary depending on your waffle iron model.
Once cooked, carefully remove the waffles and keep them warm on a baking sheet in the oven set to its lowest temperature (e.g., 170°F/75°C) until all waffles are baked and you are ready to assemble the plates.

This recipe yields approximately 4 large (7-inch) waffles, perfect for serving a family.

White Sauce: Creamy Perfection for Your Chicken Waffles

This simple yet elegant white sauce, also known as béchamel, adds a luxurious creaminess to the savory chicken waffles. It’s a fundamental sauce that every home cook can master.

2 tablespoons butter or dairy-free margarine
2 tablespoons sweet rice flour (or regular all-purpose flour)
1¼ cups (300ml) milk (we used unsweetened almond milk for a lighter, dairy-free option)
1 teaspoon dijon mustard
½ teaspoon salt
Pinch of black pepper
Pinch of nutmeg

Instructions for White Sauce:

In a medium saucepan, melt the butter (or margarine) over medium heat until fully liquid and slightly shimmering.
Stir in the flour. Cook this mixture, stirring continuously with a whisk, for 1-2 minutes until it forms a bubbly paste. This flour and butter mixture is called a roux (pronounced “roo”) and is the thickening agent for your sauce.
Begin pouring in the milk, adding just a few tablespoons at a time. After each addition, whisk vigorously until the mixture is completely smooth and lump-free. Continue this process, gradually adding more milk and whisking constantly, until all the milk is incorporated and the sauce begins to thicken. This gradual addition prevents lumps and ensures a silky-smooth sauce.
Once the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency, stir in the Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. The mustard adds a subtle tang that beautifully complements the chicken.
If the sauce appears too thick, you can thin it out by adding a little more milk, one tablespoon at a time, until it reaches the perfect pourable consistency. Keep warm until ready to serve.

Carrot Salad: A Fresh, Crunchy Side Dish

This vibrant carrot salad provides a refreshing counterpoint to the richness of the chicken and waffles. It’s quick to prepare and packed with delightful textures and flavors.

1 lb. (450gms) carrots (yielding approximately 4 cups when grated)
Juice of half a lemon
3 tablespoons oil (a neutral oil like canola or sunflower works well)
¼ cup (60ml) golden raisins
¼ cup (60ml) unsalted peanuts (shelled)
1 teaspoon runny honey
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions for Carrot Salad:

Thoroughly wash and trim the ends off the carrots. Grate them using a box grater or a food processor fitted with a grating disc. Place the grated carrots into a medium-sized mixing bowl.
Squeeze the juice of half a lemon directly over the grated carrots. You can use a lemon squeezer or simply your hands, making sure to catch any seeds. The lemon juice brightens the carrots and helps prevent discoloration.
Add the oil, golden raisins, unsalted peanuts, runny honey, salt, and pepper to the bowl with the carrots.
Toss all the ingredients together exceptionally well. Ensure everything is evenly coated and distributed, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. This salad can be made ahead of time and chilled, allowing the flavors to deepen.

To Assemble Your Delectable Chicken Waffles

Bringing all the components together is the final, exciting step. Here’s what you’ll need for each serving and how to create a balanced, flavorful plate:

Warm waffles
Warm white sauce (or butter/cream cheese)
Shredded cooked chicken meat
A few sliced green onions for garnish
Pure maple syrup
Prepared carrot salad

Assembly Instructions:

Begin by placing one warm, crispy waffle on each serving plate.
Add a few generous spoonfuls of the warm white sauce directly onto the waffle, spreading it gently to cover the surface. If you opted for butter or cream cheese, spread a thin, even layer across the waffle.
Next, top the sauced waffle with a hearty handful of the shredded cooked chicken meat, about ½ cup per waffle, ensuring good coverage.
Sprinkle a light dusting of freshly sliced green onions over the chicken. This adds a lovely pop of color and a mild, savory onion flavor that perfectly complements the dish.
Finally, complete the masterpiece with a generous drizzle of pure maple syrup over the chicken and waffle, bringing together the sweet and savory notes. Serve with a delightful spoonful of the carrot salad placed neatly on the side of the plate.

This recipe generously serves 4 happy diners, perfect for a family meal.

Guten Appetit! Enjoy your delicious creation!

For more inspiring, easy, and kid-friendly recipes that make cooking a family affair, be sure to explore our other ‘Cooking With Kids’ posts here. Unlock more culinary adventures and create lasting memories with your little ones!

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