This easy Chicken and Waffle Casserole is perfect for busy mornings or lazy weekend brunches. With just 5 simple ingredients, including fluffy waffles, tender chicken, and a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors, this casserole is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
This delicious make-ahead breakfast casserole recipe combines the best parts of chicken and waffles, all baked together in one dish. That makes it ideal for a special brunch like Father’s Day or Christmas, but so easy to make you can serve it anytime. In my family it is a favorite for lunch!
Crispy waffles and tender chicken are baked with a layer of custardy goodness and drizzled with maple syrup. It’s the perfect mix of savory and sweet, with the bonus of being incredibly simple to prepare ahead of time.
In this blog post, we’ll dive into how to create this delicious Chicken and Waffle Casserole, including the ingredients you’ll need, some tips and tricks to simplify the process, and of course, the step-by-step recipe. So, if you’re looking for a delicious breakfast recipe that the entire family will love, keep reading!
Looking for more easy brunch ideas? Try cinnamon roll pie, apple French toast casserole, cake mix donuts, overnight breakfast casserole, and strawberry biscuits.
🥘Ingredient Notes
For exact amounts needed see the recipe card below
I’m all about making things easy, and that’s where frozen waffles and popcorn chicken come in handy!
- Frozen waffles: I prefer the classic buttermilk waffles, but feel free to get creative with different flavors like blueberry.
- Frozen popcorn chicken: You can also you chicken tenders or chicken nuggets.
- Eggs
- Milk
- Maple syrup: Use real maple syrup! Honey works as a substitute if you don’t have maple syrup.
🥣How to Make Chicken and Waffle Casserole
- Preheat and prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a baking dish. I use a 7×9-inch baking dish or an 8×8-inch square pan.
- Waffles: Toast the waffles. You can put them in the toaster or on a baking sheet in the oven for 2-3 minutes while it preheats. This gives them a little extra crunch and helps them hold up better in the casserole. Then dice the waffles into bite-size chunks.
- Chicken: Dice the chicken tenders into small, bite-sized pieces. If necessary, microwave the chicken for 30 seconds to make cutting easier.
- Layer it up: Arrange the waffle cubes in a single layer in the prepared baking dish, followed by the chicken pieces. Spread it all out so everything is intermixed.
- Whisk and pour: In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, maple syrup, a pinch of salt, and a dash of cinnamon. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the layers in the baking dish.
- Bake: Pop the casserole into the oven and bake for 50 minutes until the eggs are set, and the top is golden brown.
🍴Serving Ideas
Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. I like to drizzle extra maple syrup on top – it really brings out the flavors of the chicken and waffles.
I also add a bowl of fresh fruit to make me feel a little less guilty about how decadent the casserole is. And don’t forget the napkins – this casserole gets a little sticky! Here are some other serving ideas.
- Breakfast for Dinner: Who says breakfast is only for the morning? My family loves having breakfast for dinner, and this chicken and waffle casserole is a go-to for those nights when we’re craving something a little different.
- Brunch Time: This dish is an impressive addition to any brunch spread. Pair it with some fresh fruit, yogurt, and a mimosa or two (for the adults, of course), and you’ve got yourself a winning combination.
- Game Day Treat: Whip up this casserole as a delicious game-day snack. Sprinkle on some shredded cheese and bacon bits, and it becomes more like a fun chicken and waffle nacho casserole.
🧇Make-ahead Tips
You can quickly put this casserole together the night before and store it in the refrigerator overnight. Then in the morning, bake it as directed. It might take a few minutes longer to bake.
💭How to Store
If you have any leftovers, cover the casserole dish with plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, pop it back into the air fryer or oven to reheat for a few minutes until it’s warmed through. Be sure to watch it closely so it doesn’t dry out!
⭐Tips
Be sure to check out the step by step instructions
- Toast the waffles: Don’t skip toasting the waffles. The egg doesn’t soak into the waffles as if they are frozen. If you don’t feel like toasting them 2 waffles at a time, put them on a baking sheet in the oven for 2-3 minutes while it preheats.
- Use real maple syrup: The thin pancake syrup you get at the grocery store doesn’t compare!
- Don’t pile it up too high: This casserole works best when the chicken and waffles are spread out in a layer with room for the egg mixture to soak in between. So if you double the recipe, use a 9×13-inch baking dish. Don’t just pile on extra layers.
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Chicken and Waffle Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 Frozen waffles
- ½ bag popcorn chicken 12 ounces
- 6 eggs
- ¾ cup milk
- ¼ cup maple syrup
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 7×9 inch or 8×8 inch casserole dish with cooking spray.
- Toast waffles. You can use the toaster or put them on a baking sheet in the oven for 2-3 minutes while it preheats. Dice the waffles into bite-size pieces.8 Frozen waffles
- Dice the chicken into 1-inch pieces. If it is too hard to cut the frozen chicken, microwave it for 30 seconds first.½ bag popcorn chicken
- Arrange the waffle pieces in the baking dish. Add the chicken pieces, spreading them out so they are mixed together.
- Whisk the eggs, milk, and maple syrup in a mixing bowl. Add a pinch of salt or some cinnamon if you like. Pour the egg mixture over the chicken and waffle pieces in the casserole dish.6 eggs, ¾ cup milk, ¼ cup maple syrup
- Bake at 350 F for 50-60 minutes, until the eggs are set and the top is golden brown.
- Let it cool slightly before serving with extra maple syrup.
Notes
- Any cooked, fried chicken pieces, like breaded chicken strips, chicken tenders, or chicken nuggets, will work for this recipe.
- Don’t skip toasting the waffles. The egg doesn’t soak into the waffles if they are frozen.
- Use real maple syrup: The thin pancake syrup you get at the grocery store doesn’t compare!
- This casserole works best when the chicken and waffles are spread out in a layer with room for the egg mixture to soak in between. Use a 9×13-inch baking dish if you are doubling the recipe.
- You can quickly put this casserole together the night before and store it in the refrigerator overnight. Then in the morning, bake it as directed. It might take a few minutes longer to bake.
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Nutrition Information
Nutrition facts are estimates.
