Chicken and Waffles Casserole – This dish combines crispy, tender chicken with fluffy waffles, all baked into a savory-sweet casserole that’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or even dinner. It’s easy to make, packed with flavor, and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser!
Why You’ll Love Chicken and Waffles Casserole
This Chicken and Waffles Casserole is the ultimate comfort food, bringing together the crispy texture of fried chicken with the soft, slightly sweet goodness of waffles. Here’s why this dish is so special:
- Quick and easy: It’s a breeze to prepare, with minimal active cooking time.
- Customizable: You can play with ingredients and flavors to make it your own.
- Perfect for meal prep: This casserole is great for making ahead and reheating.
- Crowd-pleaser: Whether you’re serving it for a family gathering or brunch with friends, it’s bound to be a hit.
Tips and Tricks for Perfect Chicken and Waffles Casserole
Toast the waffles: Don’t skip toasting the waffles. It helps them hold up better in the casserole and gives the dish a slightly crispy texture.
Use rotisserie chicken: Save time by using store-bought rotisserie chicken. It’s flavorful, juicy, and ready to go.
Don’t overbake: Keep an eye on the casserole as it bakes. You want the eggs to set but not to dry out, so start checking around the 30-minute mark.
Customize the flavors: Want it sweeter? Add extra maple syrup. Prefer savory? Add more cheese and even some cooked bacon or sausage.
Variations to Try
This Chicken and Waffles Casserole is endlessly customizable! Here are a few fun variations to consider:
Sweet and Savory Maple Sausage Version: Swap the chicken for maple-flavored breakfast sausage for a breakfast-focused twist on the classic.
Southern Spicy Chicken and Waffles: Add some heat by using spicy fried chicken and adding a drizzle of honey mixed with hot sauce.
Bacon Lover’s Waffle Casserole: Crumble crispy bacon into the casserole for an extra savory punch.
Buffalo Chicken and Waffles: Toss the chicken in buffalo sauce before layering it in the casserole, and serve with a side of ranch dressing for a tangy, spicy twist.
How to Serve Chicken and Waffles Casserole
The beauty of this casserole is its versatility. You can serve it as:
- Brunch: A crowd-friendly brunch dish alongside a fresh fruit salad.
- Dinner: Serve with a side of roasted vegetables or a simple green salad to balance out the richness.
- Potluck: Perfect for sharing at potlucks, family gatherings, or game day parties.
How to Store and Reheat Chicken and Waffles Casserole
Storage
- In the fridge: Store leftover casserole in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Make sure to cool the dish completely before refrigerating.
- In the freezer: To freeze, wrap the casserole tightly in aluminum foil or store it in a freezer-safe container. It will keep for up to 3 months.
Reheating
In the microwave: If you’re in a rush, you can reheat individual portions in the microwave, but the waffles may not stay as crispy.
In the oven: For the best texture, reheat the casserole in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes until warmed through.
Recipe FAQs
Can I use frozen waffles for this recipe?
Absolutely! Frozen waffles are a great time-saver. Just make sure to toast them first so they maintain their texture during baking.
Can I use fried chicken instead of shredded?
Yes, if you prefer the crispy texture of fried chicken, feel free to substitute fried chicken pieces for the shredded chicken. You can either use homemade fried chicken or buy pre-cooked fried chicken from the store.
What kind of cheese works best?
Cheddar is a classic choice because of its sharp flavor, but you can experiment with other cheeses like Monterey Jack, Gouda, or even a spicy pepper jack for added kick.
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the casserole up to 24 hours in advance. Store it covered in the fridge and bake it when you’re ready. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking directly from the fridge.
Chicken and Waffles Casserole
Chicken and Waffles Casserole - This dish combines crispy, tender chicken with fluffy waffles, all baked into a savory-sweet casserole that's perfect for breakfast, brunch, or even dinner. It’s easy to make, packed with flavor, and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser!
Ingredients
- 24 oz frozen popcorn chicken
- 1 tbsp honey (or maple syrup)
- ½ tbsp salt
- ¾ cup egg whites
- 1 ¼ cup skim milk
- 10 Kodiak Cakes Buttermilk & Vanilla frozen waffles
- 6 large eggs
- Cooking spray
- 1 tbsp maple syrup (for drizzling)
Toppings:
- Maple syrup
- Powdered sugar
- Light butter
Instructions
- Start by removing the frozen chicken from the freezer to let it thaw slightly. While that’s happening, preheat your oven to 350°F. Lay the frozen waffles on a baking sheet and cook according to package instructions (you can also use a toaster, but keep in mind toasters vary).
- As the waffles bake, whisk together the eggs, egg whites, milk, honey, salt, and a dash of cinnamon in a medium bowl until smooth and well combined.
- Once the waffles are golden, cut each into six bite-sized pieces and set them aside. Slice the semi-frozen popcorn chicken into approximately 1-inch pieces.
- Generously coat a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray, then layer the waffle and chicken pieces evenly across the dish.
- Pour the egg mixture over the waffles and chicken, ensuring everything is coated. Brush the top with a bit of maple syrup for extra flavor, then cover the dish with foil.
- Bake on the middle oven rack for about 50 minutes, or until the egg mixture is set and the top is golden brown.
- Drizzle more maple syrup, sprinkle with powdered sugar, and top with a bit of light butter for that perfect sweet and savory finish. Serve warm and enjoy!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 785Total Fat: 30gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 23gCholesterol: 266mgSodium: 1013mgCarbohydrates: 103gFiber: 1gSugar: 59gProtein: 26g
Chickenrecipes.blog, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Final Thoughts
This Chicken and Waffles Casserole is everything you love about the Southern classic, but in a cozy, family-friendly format. Whether you’re looking for a special weekend brunch, an easy make-ahead dinner, or a dish that’ll impress at your next potluck, this recipe has you covered.
The combination of savory chicken, fluffy waffles, melty cheese, and sweet maple syrup is absolutely irresistible. Plus, with so many variations to try, you can keep things interesting every time you make it!
Other delicious chicken recipes to try:
This was very tasty and easy to make! The egg mixture gave an added boost. I doubled the recipe, and it easily fed my Sunday crew!