This past weekend we were able to get most all of our Holiday shopping done. Admittedly most of it was down online, but it still took a lot of thought and tweaking to make sure that all the items arrived before Christmas. Now I just have to get all those little stocking stuffers. Those are so much fun to buy because they don’t require a lot of thought, and you can’t really go wrong with them!
With the shopping done, I can focus on family and friends. For all those holiday get-togethers this time of year, I like to make little bite-sized treats. Things that are unique and packed with flavor are the best. But they also have to be super easy because no one has that much time to prepare things. That’s why I love these little sweet and spicy chicken and waffle bites. They’re so easy to make and so delicious!
Chicken and waffles are sometimes thought of as a southern thing, but they’re really not. As I understand it, it’s more of a big city soul food item. It seems to me that chicken and waffles is more of an evolution of southern fried chicken, biscuits and honey. Now I’m actually a fried chicken and honey addict. Give me a biscuit and forget it, I’m in heaven.
As for chicken and waffles, I didn’t even have this dish until I was in my thirties believe it or not. And the best I’ve ever had was actually at Disney World. It was the Sweet and Spicy Chicken Waffle Sandwich that used to be served at Sleepy Hollow in the Magic Kingdom. It was absolutely amazing. It was a large homemade Belgium waffle topped with fried chicken tossed in a sweet and spicy sauce and topped with a creamy Asian slaw and peppery arugula. They still serve a version of it, but it’s not nearly as good, and a lot more expensive.
I re-created that magical chicken and waffles in this little bite-sized appetizer so that I could share it with friends and family over the holidays. It’s not too spicy, not too sweet and has a unique Asian flair that makes it fun and unique from other dishes. For the waffle, I used Kellogg’s® EGGO® Minis Waffles and for the chicken I used Tyson® Naturals 100% whole grain breaded chicken breast chunks. To get that sweet and spicy flavor, I tossed the nuggets in Sweet chili sauce. For the Asian slaw, I just used chopped cabbage in yum-yum sauce (you can buy it pre-made or make your own). And then I topped it with peppery arugula. It’s simple, unique and delicious!
You can find key ingredients like these mini Kellogg’s® EGGO® Minis Waffles and Tyson® Naturals chicken breast chunks in the freezer section of your local grocery store. There are countless ingredient options for recipes like this cute little appetizer that start with delicious freezer items. You can also find lots more inspiration for other entertaining recipes plus simple weeknight dinners, easy breakfasts and lunches, snacks and don’t forget all those yummy sweet treats! Be sure to browse your grocer’s freezer aisle for inspiration on your next shopping trip and for weekly meal planning
And for more mealtime inspiration, visit www.EasyHomeMeals.com and follow on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram too!
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Yield: Makes 40 bites
1 cup finely chopped savoy cabbage
3 teaspoons finely chopped red cabbage
2 tablespoons pre-prepared or homemade Yum yum sauce
1/2 cup sweet red chili sauce
2 bags Tyson® Naturals 100% whole grain breaded chicken breast chunks
1 package Kellogg's® EGGO® Minis Waffles
about 1 cup arugula leaves or exactly 120 leaves, 3 per appetizer
40 appetizer toothpicks
Combine cabbage and yum yum sauce in a small bowl. Mix well to combine and set aside.
Heat 40 Tyson chicken breasts chunks according to package directions. Heat all 40 waffles according to package directions. Toss 40 of the chicken nuggets in sweet chili sauce, coating all sides. Add more sauce if desired until all of the chicken is coated.
Assemble appetizers by placing one teaspoon slaw on top of waffles. Then get three leaves of arugula and skewer them. Skewer the chicken and then gently place toothpick on top of slaw and waffle being careful not to squish it all together too much.
This post sponsored by NFRAweb.org. I was compensated for my time. All opinions 100% mine.