Chicken and Waffles Casserole

A Sweet & Savory Symphony in a Dish :

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 1 hr 10 mins

Stand Time: 5 mins

Total Time: 1 hr 25 mins

Gather your Ingredients:

• 6 Liege waffles, frozen and ready to conquer (or their Belgian brethren, if you prefer)
• 1.5 pounds of frozen chicken nuggets – lightly thawed, like little soldiers awaiting their destiny
• 8 large eggs – our breakfasty binding brigade
• 1 1/3 cups half-and-half – creamy goodness to add richness
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup – for that sweet, sticky, breakfasty goodness (and more for serving, because who can resist?)
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt – a flavor guard keeping things balanced
• ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper – a pinch of heat for a surprising kick (optional, but oh-so-addictive)
• 4 tablespoons butter – melted, ready to bathe the casserole in golden deliciousness

Step 1: The Great Waffle Toastening

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) – let it get nice and toasty, just like we’ll make our waffles.
2. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish – a little butter or cooking spray goes a long way to prevent sticking.
3. Arrange those frozen waffles on a baking sheet – picture them as stepping stones to breakfasty glory.
4. Pop those waffles in the oven for about 4 minutes per side – we want them lightly toasted, not burnt to a crisp.
5. Once golden brown and fragrant, take them out and admire their crispy perfection. Now, cut each waffle into bite-sized pieces – think of them as little flavor bombs waiting to happen.
6. In your greased baking dish, create a waffle layer – a foundation for our savory-sweet masterpiece.

Step 2: The Chicken Joins the Party

1. Grab those thawed chicken nuggets. For the larger ones, show them who’s boss and cut them in half. Smaller ones can stay whole – they’re like the sprinkles of this chickeny party.
2. Arrange the chicken nuggets amongst the waffle pieces in the baking dish. Let them mingle and get to know each other – they’re about to become casserole besties.

Step 3: The Custard Creation

1. In a large bowl, gather your egg-cellent eggs, half-and-half, and 2 tablespoons of maple syrup. Whisk them together with the fervor of a conductor leading an orchestra. You want this mixture to be well combined and slightly frothy – picture fluffy clouds dancing on a breakfast breeze.
2. Don’t forget the secret agents of flavor – add the salt and cayenne pepper (if you’re feeling adventurous). Give it another good whisk to make sure everything is evenly distributed.

Step 4: The Unification (and a Little Nap)

1. Pour the glorious custard mixture over the chicken and waffle layer in the baking dish. Imagine it as a warm, eggy blanket embracing all the flavors.
2. Now, here’s the kicker – cover the dish and let it rest for 15 minutes. This allows the waffles to absorb some of the custardy goodness and get ready to bake to perfection. Think of it as the casserole taking a power nap before its grand entrance.

Step 5: The Grand Baking and the Glorious Reveal

1. Preheat your oven again to 350°F (just in case it got distracted by all that delicious waffley goodness).
2. Bake the casserole for about 1 hour, or until the eggs are set and the top is beautifully golden brown. About halfway through baking, uncover the dish – this allows some steam to escape and helps the top crisp up.
3. Once the casserole is golden and glorious, take it out of the oven and let it rest for another 5-10 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld and the casserole to set completely.

Step 6: The Melty Butter and Syrup Symphony

1. While the casserole rests, melt that butter – let it become a warm, golden river of deliciousness.
2. Drizzle the melted butter over the casserole – a luxurious finishing touch.
3. Now, for the pièce de résistance – the maple syrup! Drizzle as much or as little as your heart desires, depending on how much.

Thanks to All Recipe for this Breakfast Casserole.