Save to Pinterest One Sunday morning, I was staring at leftover bread and a container of stuffing when my waffle iron caught my eye. What if I turned stuffing into waffles? An hour later, I had golden, crispy stuffing waffles cooling on the counter and no clear plan for what to do with them. My husband walked in with grilled chicken from the night before, and I remembered the Caesar salad in the fridge. We stacked it all together, and that first bite was revelatory: crunchy, savory, tangy, and completely satisfying.
I made these for a casual brunch with friends who were skeptical at first. They couldnt imagine stuffing waffles working as sandwich bread. But after one bite, the room went quiet except for the sound of chewing and happy murmurs. My friend Sarah went back for seconds and asked if she could take the recipe home. That day, this quirky sandwich earned its place in my regular rotation.
Ingredients
- Day-old bread: Stale bread soaks up the broth beautifully without turning to mush, and it crisps up perfectly in the waffle iron.
- Celery and onion: These aromatics bring the classic stuffing flavor and a little texture that makes each bite interesting.
- Fresh parsley: It adds a pop of color and a hint of freshness that balances the richness of the butter and broth.
- Dried sage and thyme: These herbs are the soul of stuffing, warming and earthy without overpowering the dish.
- Chicken broth: Low-sodium broth keeps the flavor in your control and prevents the waffles from tasting too salty.
- Unsalted butter: Melted butter binds everything together and adds that golden, toasty flavor we crave.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Slicing them thin ensures they cook quickly and stay tender, and theyre easy to layer in the sandwich.
- Olive oil and garlic powder: A simple rub that gives the chicken just enough flavor to stand up to the bold Caesar dressing.
- Romaine lettuce: Crisp and sturdy, it holds the dressing well and doesnt wilt immediately under the warm chicken.
- Caesar dressing: The tangy, garlicky backbone of the whole sandwich, whether you make it from scratch or grab your favorite bottle.
- Grated and shaved Parmesan: One for mixing into the salad, one for topping, because you can never have too much Parmesan.
- Cherry tomatoes: Optional but worth it for a juicy burst of sweetness that cuts through the richness.
Instructions
- Make the Stuffing Waffles:
- Preheat your waffle iron and toss the bread cubes with celery, onion, herbs, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Whisk together the eggs, broth, and melted butter, then pour it over the bread and mix until everything is moist but not soggy. Spoon about a cup of the mixture into the greased waffle iron, close it, and cook for 5 to 8 minutes until golden and crispy.
- Cook the Chicken:
- Slice the chicken breasts in half horizontally to create thin cutlets, then rub them with olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Grill or pan-sear them over medium-high heat for 4 to 5 minutes per side until they reach 165 degrees inside, then let them rest before slicing.
- Toss the Caesar Salad:
- In a large bowl, toss the chopped romaine with Caesar dressing and grated Parmesan until every leaf is coated. If youre using cherry tomatoes, fold them in gently so they dont break apart.
- Build the Sandwiches:
- Place a stuffing waffle on a plate, layer it with sliced chicken, a generous scoop of Caesar salad, and shaved Parmesan, then top with another waffle. Finish with a grind of black pepper and serve immediately while the waffles are still warm and crisp.
Save to Pinterest The first time I packed one of these for lunch, my coworker leaned over and asked what smelled so good. I opened the container and watched her eyes widen at the sight of a waffle sandwich. She laughed, then grew quiet as I explained it. By the next week, she had made her own batch and declared it genius. That small moment of sharing something unexpected reminded me why I love cooking: it brings people together in the most surprising ways.
Making It Your Own
If you want a smoky, salty twist, add crispy bacon or a few anchovy fillets to the Caesar salad. You can also swap the chicken for turkey or even grilled shrimp if youre in the mood for seafood. For a gluten-free version, use your favorite gluten-free bread in the stuffing waffles, and double-check your Caesar dressing and broth labels. I once added a drizzle of hot sauce to the dressing, and it gave the whole sandwich a little kick that I still crave.
Storage and Reheating
The stuffing waffles keep beautifully in the fridge for up to three days or in the freezer for a month. When youre ready to use them, pop them in the toaster or a hot oven to crisp them back up. I dont recommend assembling the sandwiches ahead of time because the salad will make the waffles soggy, but you can prep all the components separately and build them fresh in just a few minutes. Leftover grilled chicken works perfectly here, so this is a great way to use up what you made the night before.
Serving Suggestions
These sandwiches are hearty enough to stand alone, but I love serving them with a simple side of roasted sweet potato wedges or a light cucumber salad. A crisp Sauvignon Blanc is my go-to pairing, though sparkling water with a squeeze of lemon works just as well if youre keeping it casual. When I served these at brunch, I set out extra Caesar dressing and shaved Parmesan so everyone could customize their sandwiches to their liking.
- Keep the waffle iron hot and greased between batches so each waffle releases easily and cooks evenly.
- If youre feeding a crowd, set up a sandwich bar with all the components and let everyone build their own.
- Leftover Caesar salad can be stored separately and enjoyed as a side the next day.
Save to Pinterest This sandwich started as a happy accident and became one of my favorite ways to turn leftovers into something special. I hope it brings as much joy to your table as it has to mine.
Recipe FAQs
- → What type of bread is best for the stuffing waffles?
Day-old bread cut into cubes works best to absorb the broth and hold the stuffing mixture together, resulting in crisp waffles.
- → Can I use different greens instead of romaine?
Romaine offers crispness and mild flavor, but you can substitute with kale or spinach for variation in texture and taste.
- → How should the chicken be cooked for best results?
Grilling or pan-searing the seasoned chicken breasts over medium-high heat ensures juicy, well-cooked cutlets with a nice char.
- → Is it possible to make this dish gluten-free?
Yes, by using gluten-free bread in the stuffing waffle mixture, you can adapt the dish to suit gluten-free needs.
- → What can be added for extra flavor in the salad filling?
Incorporating cooked bacon or anchovy fillets into the salad filling enhances depth and savory notes.