Shake-and-bake chicken is a beloved classic that combines easy preparation with delicious, crispy results. This method involves coating chicken in a seasoned breading mixture and baking it until golden brown. Its perfect for busy weeknights or casual family dinners. Lets explore some fantastic variations, essential tips, and how to store and reheat your leftovers to keep them as tasty as when first made.
There are a lot of home cooks who love shake and bake chicken. It’s hard to say no to that famous crunchy coating that surrounds juicy, tender chicken. But after too many average shake and bake chicken dinners, you may be ready to change this classic.
Thanks to a few easy tricks, you can easily improve plain shake and bake chicken to make it taste even better. Find out 12 smart ways to make this weeknight staple taste, crunch, and look even better by reading on.
Start with High-Quality Chicken
You can’t make incredible shake and bake chicken without incredible chicken! Opt for bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or drumsticks for maximum moisture and flavor. The skin also helps the coating stick better. Remove the skin after cooking if you prefer. Free-range and organic chickens typically have more flavor. Pat the chicken dry before coating for best results.
Boost the Spice in the Coating
The pre-made shake and bake seasoning is just the beginning. Add a teaspoon of any of the following spices to really amp up the flavor:
- Smoked paprika
- Chili powder
- Ground cumin
- Ground coriander
- Ground ginger
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
Get creative with spice blends like jerk seasoning, taco seasoning, or Cajun seasoning. The possibilities are endless!
Use Flavored Breadcrumbs
Instead of plain breadcrumbs, use seasoned breadcrumbs from the store or make them yourself for even more crunch and flavor. You can make it Italian-style, with garlic and herbs, lemon pepper, or Parmesan cheese. Panko breadcrumbs also yield an extra crispy coating.
Coat with Mayo or Mustard
Putting mayo or mustard on the chicken before dredging makes the coating stick better and keeps the moisture in. The tangy flavor also comes through subtly.
Double Up on the Coating
Really load up on the crunch by double-dredging. Coat the chicken in the shake and bake, then wet it slightly with buttermilk, egg, or water and coat again in more shake and bake. Press the coating on firmly so it doesn’t fall off.
Add Cheese
Sprinkle shredded cheese like cheddar Parmesan, or Mexican-blend over the coated chicken before baking for an ooey-gooey coating.
Layer on Extra Breadcrumbs
For maximum crunch, press extra breadcrumbs, panko, or crushed crackers or cereal on top of the seasoned coating. Spritz with oil or brush with melted butter first to help them stick and brown.
Use a Flavored Oil
Drizzle or brush olive oil, melted butter, or other flavored oil like chili oil over the chicken before baking. This adds moisture and infuses even more flavor.
Marinate First
Soak the chicken in a marinade for a few hours (or up to overnight) before coating and baking. The marinade will penetrate the meat and add a ton of flavor. Try yogurt, lemon juice, buttermilk, Italian dressing, teriyaki, or your favorite spices and herbs.
Glaze at the End
During the last 5-10 minutes of baking, brush the chicken with your favorite glaze, sauce, or melted butter with herbs and garlic. Barbecue sauce, honey mustard, and teriyaki sauce are all excellent choices. The sugars will caramelize and create a beautiful sheen.
Bake at High Heat
Crank up the heat! Baking at 450°F instead of 350°F makes the coating extra crispy without drying out the chicken. Keep an eye on it to avoid burning.
Finish on the Grill
Get the best of both worlds by baking the chicken until almost done then finishing on the grill for 2-3 minutes per side. The char from the grill takes the flavor over the top.
So next time basic shake and bake just won’t cut it, use these clever tricks to seriously upgrade your chicken. With crispy, juicy, ultra-flavored chicken, this reimagined classic is guaranteed to be a new family favorite. Get creative with spices, coatings, sauces, and cooking techniques for endless variety. Your tastebuds will thank you!
Is Shake and Bake High in Carbs?
Kraft Shake n Bake Extra Crispy Seasoned Coating Mix contains 6 grams of total and 6 grams of net carbs per serving. It also includes 0. It has 35 calories, 5 grams of fat, and 1 gram of protein, so it’s a pretty low-carb choice for a breaded coating mix.
Shake and Bake Chicken Variations
- Herb-Crusted: For a fragrant twist, add dried thyme, oregano, and basil to the breading mix.
- Spice it up with cayenne pepper or chili powder for extra heat.
- To get an extra crispy texture, use panko instead of regular bread crumbs in Panko Crunch.
- Parmesan Crust: For a rich, cheesy taste, mix grated cheese into the breading.
Shake ‘n Bake Chicken
FAQ
How do you cook shake and bake chicken?
Tongs: For safely turning the chicken pieces during baking if necessary. For perfect Shake and Bake chicken, ensure your meat is dry before coating. Use a ziplock bag for even application, and bake on a wire rack for crispy skin. Shake and bake chicken offers a crispy, golden crust without the mess of traditional frying.
What is shake and bake chicken?
To make Shake and Bake Chicken, you coat chicken pieces in a seasoned breadcrumb mixture and bake them until the outside is golden brown and the inside is still juicy. This method offers a healthier alternative to fried chicken, capturing that delightful crunch without all the oil. How long does it take to cook Shake and Bake Chicken?.
How do you cook chicken before baking?
Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top of the chicken before baking. Dip the meat in sauces like ranch dressing, barbecue sauce or honey mustard after the meat is cooked. Shake ‘N Bake is a packaged coating for chicken and other meats. The mixture adds crispiness and flavor to the meat before baking for a quick meal.
How do you make a healthy Shake & Bake?
Gathering the necessary ingredients for shake and bake is the first step towards a delicious meal. What you’ll need: the protein of your choice. For shake and bake, chicken, pork chops, or fish fillets work great. Make sure they are fresh and of good quality.
What is Shake n Bake?
Shake ‘N Bake is a packaged coating for chicken and other meats. The mixture adds crispiness and flavor to the meat before baking for a quick meal. The basic directions instruct users to dip the chicken or other meat into water before placing them in a bag of crumbs and shaking.
How do you shake and bake meat?
You just cover the raw meat in an egg wash or buttermilk, then shake it in the coating mix to make sure the crumbs stick to the meat evenly. The coated meat is then baked until the coating is crispy and the interior is cooked through. Why Does Shake and Bake Get Soggy?.
How to enhance shake and bake chicken?
- Herb-Crusted: Add dried thyme, oregano, and basil to the breading mixture for an aromatic twist.
- Spicy Kick: Include cayenne pepper or chili powder for some heat.
- Panko Crunch: Substitute regular bread crumbs with panko for an extra crispy texture.
How to jazz up shake and bake?
Stir in dry seasonings with the Shake ‘N Bake crumbs before dipping the chicken. Add in ½ tsp. each of seasonings like oregano, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, cumin or chili powder for more flavor in the chicken coating.
How to moisten meat for shake and bake?
- Broth or Stock: Simmer the dry meat in broth or stock on low heat until it absorbs moisture.
- Marinades: Soak the meat in a marinade (oil, vinegar, herbs, and spices) for several hours or overnight.
- Water: If the meat is not too dry, soaking it in water for a few hours can help rehydrate it.
Should I dip chicken in egg before shake and bake?
Sure. It’s not really any different than using bread crumbs for deep frying. Just dip your chicken in egg first and then in the shake n bake to bind it to the chicken during the frying process. I literally made homemade chicken strips a few days ago and they came out beautifully.