The Grand Lux Cafe Chicken N Waffles is my favorite brunch item at the restaurant. If you have been to the Cheesecake Factory, you are going to love the Grand Lux Cafe. It is one of their sister restaurants.
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You might think that Chicken N Waffles is a strange combination. If you have not tried this combination of fried chicken and waffles, you are missing out on a sweet, crunchy, and salty combination that you need to try. Many restaurants offer this type of brunch recipe.
What makes the Grand Lux Cafe’s version special is that they use chicken tenders. Using chicken tenders means you don’t need to pick up that chicken and take a bite of it. This mesmerizing concoction can be enjoyed with a fork and a knife.
These waffles aren’t your normal waffles. They are Belgium waffles, so they are light, fluffy, and wonderfully tender on the inside. You will need a Belgium waffle iron to make this recipe. If you don’t want to use this, please use a regular waffle recipe. The restaurant uses the fancier waffles.
The chicken tenders are one of my favorite parts of this recipe. These chicken tenders are battered with a seasoning and a buttermilk mixture that means the crust is crunchy and perfectly crispy. This with the waffles makes for one amazing combination.
The Grand Lux Cafe sweetens the warmed butter they serve with this recipe. I find that the sweetened butter is enough for me, that I don’t need syrup. They do serve this with warmed real maple syrup. I know that you are going to love these with or without syrup.
Love brunch? Check out these other great Brunch recipe ideas
- Cracker Barrel Ham and Egg Casserole
- Cracker Barrel Loaded Hashbrowns
- Overnight Breakfast Strata
- Bakery Style Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins
- La Madeleine Quiche Lorraine
Grand Lux Cafe Chicken N Waffles
Ingredients
Waffles
- 1 1/2 cups lukewarm water (105 to 110 degrees F)
- 1 package active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup plus 1 teaspoon sugar, divided use
- 3 cups sifted all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3 large egg yolks
- 4 large egg white, divided use
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 4 ounces butter, melted and cooled
- 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- vegetable oil for frying
Chicken Tenders
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons seasoned salt
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups buttermilk
- 2 pounds chicken tenders
Sweetened Butter
- 4 ounces butter
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
Instructions
Make the waffles
- Dissolve the yeast in lukewarm water with 1 teaspoon sugar. Let stand 5 to 10 minutes, until the yeast begins to bubble and foam.
- In a large bowl, stir the flour with the salt. In a medium bowl combine the yeast mixture with the 3 egg yolks, 1 egg white, and the remaining 1/3 cup of sugar; stir to blend. Add the remaining water, milk, melted butter, oil, vanilla, and almond extract. Stir until the batter is smooth and creamy. Stir the liquid mixture into the flour mixture and beat until smooth. Beat the remaining 3 egg whites in a clean, dry bowl. (If the bowl isn't perfectly clean, the whites may not fluff up as much as they can.) Beat until stiff peaks form. Fold the egg whites gently into the batter. Let the batter stand for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.
- Preheat a Belgium waffle maker to medium heat. Scoop the batter onto the waffle maker, you may want to use a heatproof spatula to spread the batter over the waffle iron. Close and cook until the waffle is done. Your waffle iron should have an indicator to let you know when the cooking has been completed.
Prepare Chicken
- Chicken Tenders In a deep pot or a deep fryer preheat the vegetable oil to 350 degrees F. In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, pepper, seasoned salt, and salt. Pour buttermilk into a shallow 8 x 8-inch baking dish. Pat the chicken tenders dry with a paper towel. Dredge each tender in the seasoned flour, shake off the excess, and dip in the buttermilk. Dip back into the seasoned flour, shake off the excess flour, and set aside on a wire rack.
- Let the chicken tenders rest for about 5 minutes before cooking so the crust will form a nice crunchy outer layer. Fryer only a few chicken tenders at a time. Fry for 5 to 6 minutes, or until golden brown. Depending upon the depth of the oil you may need to turn over the chicken tenders at about 3 minutes of the cooking time. Place on a clean wire rack so they may cool when you remove them from the hot vegetable oil.
Make Sweetened Butter
- Sweetened butter instructions In a small saucepan over low heat, gently melt the butter. Stir in the powdered sugar. Serve warm.
How to Serve
- Place a waffle on a plate, top with 4 chicken tenders, dust with powdered sugar, and serve with the sweetened butter.
Bgk
I have made this recipe many times. It makes excelant waffles. I experimented with the recipe and was very pleased. I used instant sourdough yeast and substituted cake flour for all purpose. I also let it rest in the fridge for two days. The results were fantastic.
Christopher
This yields a ridiculous amount of waffles. Unless you’re feeding a small village, I recommend cutting recipe in half. Besides the massive amount of batter the waffles are incredible restaurant style waffles! I’d use half the amount of almond extract next time, a bit overpowering, but just my preference. 😉
Stephanie Manley
Thank you for your feedback, much appreciated.
Jim Harxmon
Can I just say, everyone loved this when I made it for bruncb?
temple run 3
Wow, the cake looks delicious, I like this cake.
Anna
Your reply is very nice. Thanks
F.
Somethings off in the recipe. No water mentioned in the ingredient list for the waffles , but is referred to in directions. Also bpnot clear on the amount of sugar. Ingredient list and directions are different. I’m making them as soon as I can. Thanks!
emaillover
I really liked the sweetened butter in this recipe.
Emily
I agree with you. This recipe is awesome.
I love email!
Can not wait to try it out! It looks so good to try..Thanks
wings io
My daughter loves cakes. Especially like the beautiful decorations like this. Me and my daughter will do it.
kissanime
Can not wait to try it out! It looks so good to try..Thanks
Debbie Caraballo
Goodness! That waffle batter sounds divine! So do the chicken tenders…very nice to be able to use a knife and fork. Thanks, Stephanie, for a great recipe.