1. Prepare the Chicken Burgers:
- In a bowl, mix the ground chicken with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Form the mixture into 4 equal-sized patties.
- Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Cook the chicken patties for about 5-7 minutes on each side or until fully cooked. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C). Set aside and keep warm.
2. Make the Waffles:
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.
- In another bowl, beat the eggs and then mix in the milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until combined.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined; some lumps are okay.
- Preheat your waffle iron and spray it with non-stick cooking spray.
- Pour enough batter into the waffle iron to just cover the waffle grid. Close the lid and cook according to the manufacturer’s instructions until golden and crisp.
- Repeat with the remaining batter, keeping the finished waffles warm.
3. Assemble the Burgers:
- Take one waffle and cut it in half to create two circular halves if your waffles are large enough; otherwise, use two whole small waffles as the bun.
- Place a slice of cheese on the bottom waffle while it’s still hot so the cheese melts.
- Add the cooked chicken burger on top of the cheese.
- Top with lettuce, tomato slices, and your preferred sauce.
- Cap with the other waffle half, pressing down gently.
4. Serving:
- Serve your Savory Waffle Chicken Burger immediately while everything is still warm and crispy.
- Accompany with sweet potato fries, a side salad, or your favorite side for a complete meal.
Tips:
- Customization: Feel free to add bacon, avocado, or a fried egg to your burger for extra flavor and texture.
- Waffle Flavor: For an extra savory twist, you can add grated cheese or chopped herbs into the waffle batter.
- Cooking Chicken: Ensure the chicken burgers are cooked to the proper internal temperature to ensure they are safe to eat.
Enjoy your Savory Waffle Chicken Burger, a creative and delicious take on classic comfort foods that perfectly combines sweet, savory, and crispy textures!