Hunker down to wonderfully savory Gluten Free Chicken & Waffles and enjoy comfort food with a healthy twist!
Oh yes, my friends. I’m starting off 2016 with a bang of a recipe. The idea for this baby came when I was out to eat with a few friends. They all ordered Chicken & Waffles, and when it came, I was drooling. I couldn’t partake in the tasting of the scrumptious dish due to my food allergies, but I vowed to come up with an allergy-friendly version to make at home. Low and behold, these Gluten Free (and soy and lactose-free) Chicken & Waffles were born.
When I told Will I was making Chicken & Waffles for dinner, he was skeptical. You see, no matter how many times I impress him with secretly healthy dishes, he can’t seem to admit to himself that I can, in fact, make a healthy version of a typically unhealthy dish just as good as the original unhealthy version. Oh ye of little faith!
I took his doubts as a challenge, and hit the kitchen with a determination unlike ever before. I used gluten-free ingredients to make both the waffles and the chicken and instead of greasy, oily fried chicken, I baked the chicken. It still turned out with perfect, crispy, crunchy goodness.
Dinner time came. I put the best looking waffles and the most perfect piece of chicken on a plate and served them up to my doubtful boyfriend. I sat there anxiously as I waited for him to take his first bite.
He drizzled on some maple syrup. He cut a piece of chicken. He snagged a bit of waffle. After what seemed like forever, he finally took a bite and said…
Hot damn, woman, that’s delicious.
I smiled a smile so big and grabbed my fork and knife to taste my delicious creation. You know what? It WAS delicious!
Will proceeded to tell me I could make this again anytime and even requested I make it again the following week. Like any good girlfriend, I obliged.
Next mission: Paleoizing this recipe! But first, more maple syrup!


- 2 - 2 1/2 pounds boneless chicken breast, cut into 6 equal-sized pieces
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1/2 cup dairy free margarine, cut into 8 pieces (I used Earth Balance Olive Oil Spread)
- 1 cup flour (I used Bob's Red Mill GF All Purpose)
- 1 tsp pepper
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp chipotle powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 c gluten free flour (I used Bob's Red Mill GF All Purpose)
- just under 1/2 tsp xanthan gum
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 eggs
- 1 3/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 2/3 tsp gluten free vanilla extract
- Soak the chicken in the almond milk for at least half an hour. I usually let mine soak for 3 hours in gallon-sized ziploc bag in the fridge.
- Once sufficiently soaked, preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
- Place the pieces of margarine around the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Place in the oven as it's preheating to melt the margarine (just a 3 minutes or so).
- Meanwhile, place the flour and all of the spices in a shallow dish and mix together.
- Take each piece of chicken, shake off the excess milk, and coat all sides in the flour mixture. Place in the baking dish.
- Cook for 20 minutes, flip the chicken and cook for another 20 minutes.
- Preheat your waffle iron to a high setting.
- Whisk the flour, xanthan gum, sugar, baking powder and salt together in a large mixing bowl.
- Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the eggs, milk, oil and vanilla. Whisk until well combined and virtually clump-free.
- Use a measuring cup or something with a spout to pour your batter onto the preheated waffle iron. My iron takes about 5 minutes to cook each batch (3-4 batches), but times may vary depending on your iron.
- Serve immediately, refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for longer and toast them to reheat.
- Each serving consists of 2 standard-sized waffles and one piece of chicken.
- Place the waffles on the plate, top with a piece of chicken, drizzle with maple syrup and serve.
Have you ever had chicken & waffles?
What do you do when someone doubts your cooking abilities?

My Southern heart is so happy right now.
Susie @ SuzLyfe recently posted…New Year’s 2016 + Late Christmas in DC
🙂 🙂
Um if you could just make a plate of these for me right now, that’d be great. Thanks! 😉
Annmarie recently posted…Dairy Free Fettuccine Alfredo
Done and waiting for you in Brooklyn!
Love your moving gif!!!
Your boyfriend cracks me up :-))) He should know how fabulous you are by now! :-)))
Julie @ Running in a Skirt recently posted…New Year’s Weekend & Marilyn’s Baby Sprinkle
Right?! I’m going to tell him you said so.
That’s what I love about all these recipe blogs. You can pretty much make anything that had gluten in it, gluten free, because people are always developing new recipes. I’m thankful that God is always giving people new recipe inspiration!
Emily recently posted…The Lions of Recovery
Yes. I love how many allergy free options there are these days.
Holy comfort food! I’ve never really gotten the hankering for chicken & waffles the way many of my friends have, but I must admit I’m more inclined to try now that there’s a allergy friendly version!
Cayanne Marcus recently posted…Diet Rules Are Meant to be Broken (Guest Post!)
I didn’t know what I was missing until I made it for myself. Now I want it all the time!
You had me at gluten-free fried chicken, for sure — I eat a lot of chicken, it’s my favorite thing! I’ve been eating wheat-free & soy-free for the last several months and feel so much better. And, I’ve been lactose intolerant since I was a kid. I really appreciate recipes like this — thanks! Happy New Year to you and your family 🙂
Michelle Rogers recently posted…Out with the old, in with the new…goals
Sounds like we have similar dietary restrictions! This will be perfect for you!
Would you believe that I live in the South and have never had chicken & waffles?! It’s mostly because it is traditionally served with bone-in chicken, which I don’t really eat, but still.
One day, I will make it happen.
Make it happen with this recipe! So good and bone-free!
I absolutely have to try these! I recently moved to Texas, and apparently these are right up there with kolaches. Next time the kiddos ask for breakfast for dinner, it’s these!
Christine Parizo recently posted…The Really Honest Fabletics Review
What part of Texas are you from? The boyfriend and I are thinking of moving there.
I’m in the Houston area. It’s fantastic. 🙂
Christine Parizo recently posted…The Really Honest Fabletics Review
Oh nice! That’s one part of Texas I haven’t been. We’ve been thinking about Austin.
I am so making these the next time we do breakfast for dinner! I love chicken and waffles, but the hubby doesn’t tolerate gluten very well. So comforting this time of year.
Cassandra @ Powered By BLING recently posted…Homemade BBQ Chicken Naan Pizza
YES!!! You’ll love it and your husband will be able to enjoy it!
Looks really good! I LOVE chicken and waffles, practically live for it! Nice that there’s a healthier version, thanks to you 🙂
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets recently posted…New Year’s Resolutions for 2016
It’s such a weird but good combo isn’ it?
OMG this looks so delicious! Thanks for posting and do you deliver in Brooklyn?
Margo recently posted…Brooklyn Fit Chick Interview with @WomensHealthMag Editor @AmyKellerLaird
Haha no delivery, but you can come over any time!
OMG, I love chicken and waffles. In fact I just ordered them when we were out for dinner last week. This recipe looks amazing and I can’t wait to try! Now I need a waffle maker!
Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes recently posted…Weekly wrap: strict no running orders and getting ready to reset!
No way! Too funny. My sister just gave me the waffle iron, so I’ve been cooking up a waffle-tastic storm haha.
would you believe I have never had chicken and waffles?! this looks GOOD!
Mar @ Mar on the Run recently posted…2016 Goals & an Inspiring Word
You. Must. Try!
I’ve been dying to try this new chicken/waffle place near me but I might try your recipe first!
Carmy recently posted…Monday on the Run #39
You’ll have to do both and let me know how it compares 🙂
My boys love chicken and waffles! Breakfast and dinner at the same time can’t go wrong!
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…Tofu Veggie Lettuce Wraps
Agreed!!
woah healthier chicken and waffles!? Im all about that!
rachel @ athletic avocado recently posted…45 Healthy Oatmeal Recipes That Are Anything But Boring!!!
I always know I’m onto something if it’s boyfriend approved haha.
This combo still has me baffled! It was all over the south and on one of our trips my husband got it and even with the gravy on the side because I just don’t do gravy and I didn’t get the combo. Since the combo actually sounds good, well the savory aspect of it but even trying chicken again I couldn’t get past the texture. Is there a way you can just “fry” up some gluten free “chicken-free” breading crunchies and sprinkle it on the waffles for me? Yeah I know probably sounds weird, just as weird as I love the smell and taste of bacon but hate bacon so I eat coconut bacon and use bacon flavored salt. Or like how I like BBQ but only the flavor so I will be the crazy pouring BBQ sauce all over my coleslaw or sweet potatoes. This looks good though, I may just have to whip it up for my hubby and try to make a chicken free version.
Sarah recently posted…Tropical Berry Chia Overnight Oats
It is an odd combo but SO delicious! I’m sure you can find an easy vegetarian substitute. Maybe fried tofu or tempeh?
Oh, man! That looks too good to be part of my healthy eating plan for January!
Coco recently posted…Hitting The Healthy Reset Button
Deceptively healthy is my favorite kind of recipe 🙂
Is it bad I’ve never had chicken and waffles? These look delicious! Maybe I need to try!
Marcia recently posted…The New Year Unplugged
I never had chicken and waffles before I whipped this up. Now I can’t get enough!
I think my son eats waffles just to get to the maple syrup. He can go through a whole bottle in a few days.
AlexandraFunFit recently posted…Forget “New” You for the New Year. Be “More” You
haha! He should just make some maple syrup candies!
I love chicken and waffles! Glad that you decided to make this so you and your BF could enjoy it!
courtney @ eat pray run dc recently posted…Shamrock Half Marathon Training Recap, Week 2
I’d never had it before, but now it’s going to be a staple!
Yumm! I love chicken and waffles. I hope you get to try it with the hot sauce sometime 😉 adds a nice tangy flavor!
Jess @hellotofit recently posted…Panang Curry Black-Eyed Peas Over Coconut Rice
I definitely need to try a hot sauce version!
You come up with the most creative recipes! I like the way you think!
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…It’s a wrap!
Thanks, Wendy!
I’m don’t have a gluten sensitivity but I like to be gluten free when I can – definitely bookmarking this for later.
Markita@Sweshfit recently posted…What 2015 taught me about fitness, and what I will take into next year
Hooray! I hope you enjoy it!
I have been craving chicken and waffles FOREVER!! I can’t wait to make these
Jessica recently posted…A Letter to My Firstborn on His Last Days of Being an Only Child
Yes! It will make that growing baby very happy!
These look great! Pinning now, my husband loves this!
Elizabeth Shaw recently posted…Comment on How to Take the Stress Out of Meal Prep by Elizabeth Shaw
Woohoo! I hope he likes this version!
That’s a popular dish in Cincinnati. I just can’t wrap my head around the idea. Waffles and chicken?
jill conyers recently posted…Inspired To Be Fit
I know! I thought the same thing until I tried it for myself.
Chicken and waffles is such a southern thing – my husband loves the combo. Yum!
MCM Mama Runs recently posted…TOTR: Goals for 2016
It’s been slowly creeping up to NYC. There’s a place that makes only chicken and waffles right around the corner from my apartment!
Great recipe! I have the exact same fight about making typically unhealthy things healthier. Silly men 🙂 Your waffles look delicious!
Janice @ Fitness Cheerleader recently posted…#MotivateMe Monday: Easing “Back” Into It So I Can CRUSH 2016!
What do men know? haha.
I’ve never had chicken and waffles but my bff and her bf love it…idk the combo kinda makes me nervous about trying it! lol but I will have to try it soon since everyone raves about it 🙂
Patty @ Reach Your Peak recently posted…My 2016 Goals
It sounds like an odd combo, but I promise you it’s delicious!
I actually only tried chicken + waffles for the first time a couple months ago (blaspheming, I know ._.). This looks so good–I want!! *-*
Farrah recently posted…Leaving Your Comfort Zone
I didn’t have it until I made this recipe! Now I’m hooked!
The article is too good, I love reading, I recommend it to my friends
eatfrysmith recently posted…The 7 Best Pellet Smoker Reviews & Guide 2019