Description
A hearty and comforting Chicken and Waffle Casserole perfect for brunch, combining crispy popcorn chicken and toasted waffles baked together in a flavorful egg and maple syrup custard.
Ingredients
Waffles and Chicken
- 8 frozen waffles
- 12 ounces (½ bag) popcorn chicken
Custard Mixture
- 6 large eggs
- ¾ cup milk
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a 7×9 inch or 8×8 inch casserole dish lightly with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Toast and Dice Waffles: Toast frozen waffles using a toaster or by placing them on a baking sheet in the oven for 2-3 minutes as it preheats. Once toasted, dice the waffles into bite-sized pieces for easy layering.
- Prepare Chicken: Dice the popcorn chicken into roughly 1-inch pieces. If the chicken is too hard to cut while frozen, microwave it for 30 seconds to soften slightly for easier dicing.
- Layer Ingredients: Arrange the diced waffle pieces evenly in the casserole dish. Spread the diced chicken pieces over the waffle layer, mixing gently to distribute them throughout.
- Mix Custard: In a mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, and maple syrup thoroughly. Optionally, add a pinch of salt or a sprinkle of cinnamon for extra flavor. Pour this mixture evenly over the chicken and waffles in the casserole dish, ensuring it soaks in well.
- Bake the Casserole: Place the dish in the oven and bake at 350°F for 50-60 minutes, or until the eggs are fully set and the top turns a golden brown color.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the casserole to cool slightly before serving. Offer extra pure maple syrup on the side for drizzling. Enjoy warm for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Any cooked, fried chicken, such as breaded chicken strips, chicken tenders, or chicken nuggets, can be used instead of popcorn chicken.
- Toasting the waffles before baking is essential; otherwise, the egg custard won’t soak properly into frozen waffles.
- Use real maple syrup for authentic sweetness — grocery store pancake syrups won’t provide the same depth of flavor.
- Spread the chicken and waffles with some space in between to allow the egg mixture to fully absorb. For a larger batch, use a 9×13-inch baking dish and adjust baking time accordingly.
- This casserole can be assembled the night before, stored in the refrigerator, and baked fresh in the morning—just add a few extra minutes to the baking time as needed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Brunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
