Name: Eggnog Chicken and Waffles
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 lb whole chicken wings; 1 tsp sea salt; 1 tsp black pepper; 2 large eggs; 1/2 cup eggnog; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 2 tsp Creole seasoning; 1 tsp allspice; 1 tsp paprika; 1/2 tsp ground thyme; 1/2 tsp garlic powder; 1/4 tsp red cayenne pepper; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup cornstarch; 2 tsp baking powder; 1/2 cup sugar; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; 1 tsp ground nutmeg; 1 tsp sea salt; 3 large organic eggs, separated; 1/2 cup whole milk; 1 1/2 cups eggnog; 3 tbsp vegetable oil; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1 tbsp lemon zest

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This sweet and savory Eggnog Chicken and Waffles recipe is the ultimate holiday breakfast, turning classic soul food into a warm, festive feast. Crispy, spicy pan-fried chicken wings sit on top of light, golden waffles infused with sweet eggnog, rich nutmeg, and cinnamon. This show-stopping brunch feels special enough for Christmas morning but is easy enough to make any weekend of the season.

Love waffles and pancakes? You should also check out my Lemon Blueberry Waffles, Pumpkin Waffles, Sweet Potato Pancakes, and Light & Fluffy Lemon Ricotta Pancakes.

front picture of eggnog chicken and waffles on table with cup of eggnog with a drizzle of syrup on top

The magic here comes down to balancing the savory with the sweet. Marinating the chicken wings in a mix of real eggnog and eggs keeps the meat juicy on the inside while creating a sticky base for our Creole-spiced flour crust.

On the other side of the plate, whipping the egg whites separately gives the waffles an airy, melt-in-your-mouth center, while cornstarch guarantees a crisp outer crust. Finished with a touch of fresh lemon zest to brighten the rich batter, every bite hits that perfect sweet, salty, and spicy combination.

What you’ll love about this recipe:

Crunchy Meets Fluffy: Whipping the egg whites gives you cloud-like waffles, while cornstarch keeps the outside edges crisp under hot chicken and syrup.
Sweet and Spicy Harmony: Zesty Creole seasoning and cayenne cut right through the sweet, custardy eggnog flavors in the waffle batter.
Easy Everyday Ingredients: Uses pantry spices and store-bought eggnog to deliver big holiday flavor without complicated techniques.
Perfect Holiday Brunch: It feels fancy and fun, making it an instant hit for family gatherings, Christmas breakfast, or winter weekends.

Overhead shot of fried chicken wings sitting on top of a waffle

Ingredients you’ll need for chicken and waffles:

For the Chicken

Whole Chicken Wings: The main protein, offering rich flavor and tender meat that holds up to pan-frying.
Sea Salt and Black Pepper: Simple foundational seasonings that draw out moisture and season the chicken meat down to the bone.
Large Eggs & Eggnog: Replaces traditional buttermilk to create a thick, lightly spiced wet batter that clings to the wings and seals in juices.
All-Purpose Flour: Creates the classic, golden-brown crust when fried in the hot skillet.
Creole Seasoning, Paprika, and Red Cayenne Pepper: Adds bold savory punch, smoky color, and spicy kick to balance the sweetness.
Allspice, Ground Thyme, and Garlic Powder: Brings warmth and savory depth that ties the holiday theme directly into the chicken coating.

For the Waffles

All-Purpose Flour: Forms the waffle’s primary structure.
Cornstarch: Weakens the flour proteins slightly to guarantee crisp, golden outer edges that stay crunchy.
Baking Powder: The leavening agent that reacts to heat, expanding the batter as it cooks on the iron.
Granulated Sugar: Lightly sweetens the batter and promotes caramelization for a golden exterior.
Ground Cinnamon and Ground Nutmeg: Traditional holiday baking spices that highlight the rich flavor of the eggnog.
Sea Salt: Balances the heavy sweetness and wakes up all the aromatic spices.
Organic Eggs: Yolks provide rich fat and emulsify the batter, while the whipped whites create light air pockets for a fluffy interior.
Whole Milk and Eggnog: Delivers moisture and creamy custard sweetness without making the batter overly heavy.
Vegetable Oil: Keeps the waffle interior moist and tender while preventing sticking on the iron.
Vanilla Extract and Lemon Zest: Vanilla adds sweetness, while lemon zest adds subtle natural citrus flavors that cut through the heavy creaminess.

What type of waffle iron should I use?

I’ve tried several types of waffle makers and found the most success with those that “flip” or “rotate.” These types of waffle makers tend to work best. Flipping or rotating lets the batter spread out, so the waffles cook evenly on both sides. Also, the waffle iron (paid link) needs to get really hot—those crappy waffle irons won’t do the trick. In the end, you want your waffle crispy on the outside and soft and airy on the inside. For this recipe, I used the Presto Ceramic FlipSide Belgian Waffle Maker.

How to make eggnog chicken and waffles:

Prepare and Fry the Chicken

Season the Wings: Season your wings evenly with salt and black pepper.

Make the Wet Marinade: In a large bowl, add the eggs and eggnog. Stir until smooth. Add the chicken to the bowl and marinate for 15-30 minutes.

Heat the Skillet: Heat a cast-iron skillet to medium heat and add enough olive oil to cover the bottom of the pan.

Dredge: Add the flour, Creole seasoning, allspice, paprika, thyme, garlic powder, and red cayenne pepper to a large Ziploc bag. Dredge the chicken wings in the seasoned flour until completely coated.

Pan-Fry: Fry the chicken pieces for 8 minutes per side, until deeply golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F / 74°C). Remove from the oil, drain on a wire rack or paper towels, and let cool slightly.

Bake the Waffles & Assemble

Preheat: Preheat your waffle iron (paid link).

Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk (paid link) together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and sea salt until completely combined.

Whip the Whites: In a medium bowl, add the 3 egg whites. Using a hand mixer (paid link), whip the whites until stiff peaks form. Set aside.

Mix Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk (paid link) together the egg yolks, whole milk, eggnog, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and lemon zest until smooth.

Combine: Pour the wet yolk mixture into the dry flour mixture. Whisk (paid link) gently until just combined; do not overmix.

Fold Whites: Gently fold the whipped egg whites into the batter using a rubber spatula (paid link) until no white streaks remain.

Bake Waffles: Lightly spray the hot waffle iron (paid link) with non-stick oil (if your waffle iron (paid link) requires it). Pour batter onto the iron and cook according to your iron’s instructions until golden and crisp.

Serve: Plate the warm waffles and stack the chicken directly on top. Drizzle with warm maple syrup or honey hot sauce if desired.

Chicken and Waffle Tips & Tricks

While cooking waffles, place your finished fried chicken on a wire rack set over a baking sheet (paid link) in a 200°F (95°C) oven. This keeps the skin crunchy without drying out the meat.
When combining the wet and dry ingredients, stop whisking as soon as the flour disappears. Lumps are totally fine; overmixing develops gluten and makes waffles tough instead of fluffy.
If you prefer boneless meat, substitute 1 ½ lbs of chicken tenders or boneless skinless chicken thighs. Reduce frying time to 4–5 minutes per side.
For a dairy-free swap, use plant-based oat eggnog (such as oat milk nog) and unsweetened almond or oat milk with melted coconut oil.
For a spiced maple drizzle, warm 1 cup of pure maple syrup with 1 tablespoon of butter and a pinch of cayenne pepper for a quick sweet-and-spicy finishing glaze.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat on a baking sheet (paid link) in a 375°F (190°C) oven or air fryer for 6–8 minutes to bring back the crisp skin (avoid the microwave).
Cool completely and store in a zip-top freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat directly from frozen in a standard pop-up toaster or toaster oven for a fresh-baked crunch.

eggnog chicken and waffles without syrup

Your house will smell awesome, and the whole family will come running to the kitchen to see what they get to enjoy for breakfast or brunch. When you want to upgrade your typical chicken-and-waffles recipe, add this Eggnog Chicken and Waffles to the table. Enjoy!