This mouthwatering Chicken and Waffles Casserole is comfort food at its best! Tender chunks of juicy fried chicken are nestled between layers of fluffy waffles then baked until golden brown. It's a delicious twist on the classic, drizzled with maple syrup and sprinkled with powdered sugar. Perfect for a lazy weekend brunch, breakfast for dinner, or holiday get-togethers.
Table of Contents
- Easy Breakfast Casserole Recipes
- Why You'll Love This Chicken and Waffle Casserole Recipe
- Chicken and Waffles Origin and History
- Ingredients for Fried Chicken and Waffles
- Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- How to Make Chicken and Waffle Casserole
- What to Serve with Chicken n Waffles Casserole
- Make Ahead Breakfast Casserole
- How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
- More Casserole Recipes
Easy Breakfast Casserole Recipes
Breakfast casseroles are an irresistible combination of convenience and deliciousness. They are simple to whip up, can be made ahead, saving time on busy mornings, and cleanup is a breeze. They're a great way to serve breakfast for a crowd, treat yourself to a lazy weekend brunch, or prep ready-to-go breakfasts for the busy week ahead.
There is such a variety of ways to mix all your favorites together too. No pancake flipping or frying up eggs just layering the ingredients in a baking dish and popping them in the oven. Whether it's the hearty mix of a ham and hashbrown casserole, your favorite sausage egg and cheese breakfast in casserole form or a delicious French Toast Casserole piled into a crock pot, easy breakfast casseroles are ones you'll go back to again and again.
Why You'll Love This Chicken and Waffle Casserole Recipe
Easy to make with store-bought Eggo waffles and frozen fried chicken strips, nuggets, or popcorn chicken.
Great for breakfast, brunch, or breakfast for dinner.
Kids (and big kids) love it.
Sweet and savory all in one dish.
The chicken and waffles seasoning is simple and enhances the flavors of the waffles and chicken.
Chicken and Waffles Origin and History
The dish that many people recognize today as chicken and waffles - crispy fried chicken paired with sweet waffles and syrup - is rooted in the African-American culinary tradition.
The exact genesis of this pairing is a bit elusive, but it's widely believed that it emerged during the Harlem Renaissance in the 1920s and 1930s. After long nights of dancing and music, patrons sought out hearty meals, and places like Wells Supper Club in Harlem began to offer the dish as a late-night item. It bridged the gap between dinner and breakfast.
The popularity of the dish grew, and in the latter half of the 20th century, restaurants specializing in chicken and waffles began to emerge outside of Harlem. One of the most notable is Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles in Los Angeles, established in 1975.
Ingredients for Fried Chicken and Waffles
- Eggo frozen waffles or your favorite brand.
- Frozen fried chicken tenders, nuggets, or popcorn.
- Eggs
- Milk
- Honey
- Maple syrup
- Ground cinnamon
- Salt
- Ground black pepper
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Chicken - Use leftover fried chicken tenders or nuggets instead of store-bought.
- Waffles - Use homemade waffles instead of store-bought.
- Spicy - Add a kick of heat and use spicy fried chicken. Cajun is a great choice.
- Gluten-Free - Use almond flour waffles and gluten-free fried chicken.
How to Make Chicken and Waffle Casserole
Set the oven to 450°F and place the waffles on one cookie sheet and the chicken on another. Place both in the oven and bake the waffles for 10 minutes or until crisp and the chicken for 15-20 minutes. Check the package directions for baking the chicken as it will depend on the type and brand of chicken you bought. While these ingredients are baking, mix the egg batter.
- Crack eggs into a medium bowl.
- Add milk.
- Sprinkle in seasonings and pour in maple syrup.
- Whisk well and set aside.
To layer casserole:
- Cut the waffles in quarters and place half of the waffles in the bottom of a buttered casserole dish.
- Cut up the chicken if you are using chicken strips or leave as is if using popcorn chicken and place on top of the waffles.
- Repeat the waffle and the chicken layer one more time.
- Pour the egg batter over the layers of waffles and fried chicken.
- Press down lightly on the ingredients to help absorb some of the egg batter.
- Pour honey over the top chicken layer.
- Cover the chicken n waffles casserole with foil then bake at 350°F for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake uncovered for another 15-20 minutes or until the casserole is bubbly and golden brown.
- Garnish with powdered sugar.
Cut and serve with additional maple syrup for drizzling on top. An easy, delicious casserole for breakfast, brunch, breakfast for dinner, or family gatherings for the holidays.
What to Serve with Chicken n Waffles Casserole
The chicken and waffles sides can vary depending on serving it for breakfast or dinner. There are sweet and savory options to make a hearty meal. Here are some classic chicken and waffles side dishes:
- Bacon or Sausage
- Chicken Gravy
- Collard Greens
- Hot Sauce
- Fresh Fruit
- Mac and Cheese
- Maple Syrup
Make Ahead Breakfast Casserole
Fried chicken and waffles casserole can be assembled the night before and baked in the morning. Remember to use a metal baking dish because glass baking dishes can break going straight from a cold refrigerator to a hot oven. Or take the casserole out of the refrigerator about an hour before you bake it.
To freeze unbaked: Assemble the casserole in a metal or disposable aluminum pan. Cover it with a layer of plastic wrap and then a layer of aluminum foil. Freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight then bake it in the morning for breakfast or evening for dinner.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
Storing: Allow the leftovers to cool to room temperature. Cover the dish or transfer the leftovers to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezing: Transfer the leftovers into a freezer-safe container or portions into plastic freezer bags. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight.
Reheating: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake it in a 350°F oven for about 20 minutes or until warmed through.
More Casserole Recipes
- Chicken Broccoli Pasta Casserole
- Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
- Pizza Pasta Casserole
- Pork Chop and Potato Casserole
- Turkey Enchilada Casserole
Find lots of delicious and easy casseroles for breakfast or dinner right here on 2CM!
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Chicken and Waffles Casserole
Ingredients
- 10 frozen waffles Eggo Buttermilk, Belgian or homemade
- 24 ounces frozen chicken - strips popcorn or nuggets
- 3 Tablespoons honey
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups milk
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450°F. Prepare an 11x17-inch baking dish by spraying it with nonstick cooking spray or butter.
- Place the waffles on one cookie sheet and the frozen chicken on another cookie sheet. Bake waffles for 10 minutes or until crisp and chicken for 15-20 minutes. Check package directions if the frozen chicken calls for more or less time.
- Cut the waffles in quarters and add the equivalent of 5 whole waffles to the bottom of the baking dish.
- Top with half the chicken. (I cut my chicken strips in quarters to make it easier to cut the casserole after cooking.)
- Add another layer with the remaining waffles and top with the remaining chicken.
- Drizzle honey over the top layer of chicken.
- In a medium bowl, whisk eggs, milk, maple syrup, cinnamon, salt and pepper.
- Pour over the waffles and chicken. Press down lightly on the casserole to make sure all ingredients get soaked.
- Cover the casserole with foil and cook for 30 minutes. Uncover and return to the oven for 15-20 minutes more.
- Garnish with powdered sugar and serve with additional maple syrup.
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