The Ultimate Guide to Making Perfect Shake n Bake Chicken

Shake n Bake chicken is a classic weeknight dinner staple loved by many. The seasoned coating mixes up quick and gives chicken a crispy flavorful crust in minutes. But buying the boxed Shake n Bake mix can get expensive, and it’s easy to make your own homemade version for a fraction of the cost!

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share my tips and tricks for making foolproof Shake n Bake chicken from scratch. Whether you want to replicate the store-bought flavor or get creative with your own spice blends, you’ll learn everything you need to know about how to make this tasty breaded chicken.

An Overview of Shake n Bake Chicken

Shake n Bake refers to a method of breading chicken using a seasoned dry coating mix. To make Shake n Bake chicken, raw chicken pieces are dredged in the coating, shaken in a bag to evenly coat, then baked in the oven.

This makes chicken with a golden, crisp skin that surrounds juicy, tender meat on the inside. Every crunchy bite is full of flavor from the seasoned coating.

While the original Shake n Bake mix contains common pantry spices and herbs, the convenience of the pre-made bag comes at a cost. Many homemade recipes provide similar results for much cheaper.

With a simple combination of flour, spices, and crunchy coatings like breadcrumbs or crushed crackers, you can easily replicate the taste of Shake n Bake chicken at home

Benefits of Homemade Shake n Bake

Making DIY Shake n Bake allows you to:

• Save money by avoiding expensive pre-made mixes
• Control ingredients by using higher quality and more natural spices
• Customize flavors by experimenting with different herb and spice blends
• Reduce sodium by controlling the amount of salt added
• Make it egg-free for those with allergies by using egg substitute

Plus, combining your own ingredients takes just a few minutes. Get rid of the store-bought stuff and make your own Shake n Bake coating instead!

Tips for Making Perfect Shake n Bake Chicken

Follow these simple tips for crispy. juicy Shake n Bake chicken every time

1. Pound chicken to even thickness

Pounding the chicken pieces to an even thickness will allow them to cook evenly. It also helps the coating adhere better.

Use a meat mallet or heavy skillet to gently pound chicken breasts, thighs, drumsticks, or tenders to about 1⁄2 inch thickness.

2. Dry chicken well before coating

To get a crispy coating, make sure the chicken is dry before dredging it. Use paper towels to pat the chicken pieces dry to get rid of any extra water.

3. Use three bowls for dredging station

Set up a dredging station with three shallow bowls. Put flour in one, beaten egg or egg substitute in another, and Shake n Bake coating in the last.

4. Thoroughly coat chicken

Working with one piece at a time, dredge chicken in flour, dip in egg, then place in bag with coating. Close bag and shake to evenly coat chicken. Gently press coating onto chicken to help it adhere.

5. Arrange chicken in a single layer on pan

Overcrowding the pan will steam chicken instead of crisping it. Leave at least 1⁄2 inch between pieces in a single layer on a greased baking sheet.

6. Bake at high heat

Bake chicken at 425°F for 20-25 minutes until coating is browned and chicken is fully cooked. The high heat helps make the coating super crispy.

7. Let chicken rest before serving

Allowing the chicken to rest 5 minutes after baking helps lock in the juices for tender, moist meat. Then enjoy your crispy homemade Shake n Bake chicken!

Homemade Shake n Bake Coating Recipes

The keys to a great homemade coating are using a combination of dry ingredients that provide flavor, crunch, and adhesion.

Start with a base of flour and spices, then add crunchy elements like breadcrumbs, crackers, cornflakes, or panko. Here are some tasty coating ideas:

Classic Homemade Shake n Bake

This recipe recreates the classic Shake n Bake flavor:

• 1 cup flour
• 2 Tbsp paprika
• 1 Tbsp salt
• 1 Tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1⁄2 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs

Ranch Shake n Bake

Get that zesty ranch flavor with:

• 1 cup flour
• 1 Tbsp ranch seasoning
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp dried parsley
• 1⁄2 tsp pepper
• 1 cup crushed potato chips

Italian Herb Shake n Bake

For an Italian twist, use:

• 1 cup flour
• 2 Tbsp Italian seasoning
• 1 Tbsp garlic powder
• 1 Tbsp onion powder
• 1⁄2 tsp salt
• 1⁄2 tsp pepper
• 1 cup Italian breadcrumbs

Lemon Pepper Shake n Bake

For a zingy lemon pepper flavor:

• 1 cup flour
• 3 Tbsp lemon pepper seasoning
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1⁄2 tsp salt
• 1⁄2 tsp pepper
• 1 cup crushed cornflakes

Cajun Shake n Bake

Spice it up Cajun-style with:

• 1 cup flour
• 2 Tbsp Cajun seasoning
• 1 Tbsp paprika
• 1 Tbsp garlic powder
• 1 Tbsp onion powder
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs

Get creative and experiment with your own spice combinations! The options for homemade Shake n Bake coatings are endless.

Cooking Methods for Shake n Bake Chicken

In addition to oven baking, there are various quick and easy ways to cook Shake n Bake chicken:

• Air fryer: Cook at 400°F for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway. Gives an extra crispy crust.

• Stovetop: Pan fry breaded chicken in 1⁄4 inch of oil for 4-6 minutes per side until golden brown.

• Grill: Great for summer grilling! Cook over indirect heat for 25-30 minutes, flipping occasionally.

• Slow cooker: Combine breaded chicken and 1⁄4 cup broth in a slow cooker and cook on high 3-4 hours. Finishes crisp under the broiler.

• Instant Pot: Add 1⁄2 cup broth and cook breaded chicken on high pressure for 8-10 minutes then broil to crisp the coating.

No matter which method you use, homemade Shake n Bake chicken delivers tasty results! The simple seasoned coating transforms basic chicken pieces into a crave-worthy dinner.

Serving Suggestions for Shake n Bake Chicken

Shake n Bake chicken is delicious on its own, but it also pairs well with various recipes:

• Toss breaded chicken pieces into salads, wraps, or sandwiches

• Serve Shake n Bake chicken tenders as an appetizer with dipping sauces

• Bake chicken breast topped with tomato sauce and cheese

• Stuff Shake n Bake chicken breast with ham and cheese for easy cordon bleu

• Make breaded chicken parmesan by topping baked chicken with marinara and mozzarella

• Use breaded chicken in casseroles, soups, pasta dishes, or stir fries

With its versatile flavor and crunch, Shake n Bake chicken can be incorporated into all sorts of meals beyond just dinner. Get creative with easy chicken recipes!

Tips for Leftover Shake n Bake Chicken

Leftover breaded chicken maintains its crispy coating and juicy meat nicely for several days in the fridge. Here are some tasty ways to use up leftovers:

• Reheat in a 300°F oven to preserve the crispy crust.

• Chop and add to salads, wraps, pitas, or sandwiches.

• Dice chicken and add to pasta, rice, or grain bowls.

• Toss pieces into soups, casseroles, frittatas, omelets, or breakfast burritos.

• Slice into strips for delicious breaded chicken fingers.

• Cube chicken and add to homemade pizza, flatbreads, or nachos.

With a little creativity, you can reinvent leftover Shake n Bake chicken into all new easy meals. No more boring repetitive leftovers!

FAQs About Making Shake n Bake Chicken

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about this tasty homemade breaded chicken:

What chicken parts work best for Shake n Bake?

Chicken breasts, thighs, drumsticks, and tenders all work great. Pound thicker pieces to an even size.

Does Shake n Bake chicken need to be refrigerated first?

No, but lightly seasoning raw chicken with salt and pepper first adds flavor.

What can I use instead of eggs to coat the chicken?

Try substituting egg substitute, milk, buttermilk, yogurt, or oil to help the coating adhere.

How long does homemade Shake n Bake chicken last refrigerated?

Cooked breaded chicken stays fresh 3-4 days stored in an airtight container in the fridge.

Can I freeze extra homemade Shake n Bake coating?

Yes, place unused coating in a sealed bag or container. It will keep 6-8 months in the freezer.

With this comprehensive guide, you have everything you need to make your own quick and easy Shake n Bake chicken recipes at home. Ditch the expensive boxed stuff and whip up deliciously crispy breaded chicken using simple pantry ingredients.

Now get shaking and baking up some juicy, flavorful chicken for dinner! Enjoy this tasty homemade version that saves money and lets you customize the flavors.