Shake and Bake Chicken (Easy Recipe)

Shake and Bake Chicken ticks all your dinner boxes and then some. It’s a delicious, versatile, and easy-to-make comfort dish the whole family will love. Mine sure does!

Between the crispy coating, tender meat, and sensational flavors, this chicken is phenomenal.

I love that the seasonings are customizable and can easily fit your family’s tastes. And unlike the classic Shake N Bake spice mix- I know exactly what’s inside mine. 

My favorite part? It’s ready in 40 minutes or less, with no deep frying, and no complicated steps. Just coat, shake, and bake! 

Since the chicken is baked instead of fried, it’s a light but satisfying dinner option. And you don’t have to sacrifice flavor or crunch. 

Ideal for busy weeknights and hosting family gatherings. Serve with your favorite sides, and prepare for your family to ask for it every week. 

Ingredient Notes for Crispy Shake and Bake Chicken

You'll be surprised at how little you need for this recipe. Here's the complete list of ingredients:

• Chicken: I recommend using chicken drumsticks or skinless chicken breasts for this recipe. However, you can use chicken thighs, wings, or a combo. Chicken tenders are fantastic for the littles in your life.

• Breadcrumbs: You can use any breadcrumbs you have on hand, plain or seasoned. Panko breadcrumbs are my personal favorite. I think they have the best crunch!

• Seasonings: Salt, ground black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and dried oregano. 

• Parmesan Cheese (Optional): You don’t have to add parmesan cheese, but why not? I think it adds a delicious umami that takes this homemade version of Shake ‘n’ Bake chicken to the next level. Freshly grated is best! 

• Butter or Oil: Use butter or oil to coat the chicken before dredging in the breadcrumb mixture. It helps the breadcrumbs stick. I like butter or canola oil best because they help create an extra crispy skin. But olive oil also works well.

How to This Easy Make Shake and Bake Chicken Recipe

1. Prep the breadcrumbs. Preheat your oven and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper. Mix the breadcrumbs and seasonings in a large zip-top bag.

2. Coat chicken and shake. Coat the chicken with melted butter or oil. Place one or two chicken pieces at a time into the zip-top bag, seal, and shake until covered in the . 

3. Then, bake. Arrange the coated chicken pieces on the baking sheet. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Let the chicken rest before serving.

4. Enjoy! Serve hot, and enjoy with mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, or a delicious salad.

Tips for the Best Homemade Shake and Bake Chicken

This chicken recipe really is as easy as 1-2-3. But I've still got a few tricks up my sleeve to guarantee you get the best results.

• Dry the chicken. I pat the raw chicken pieces dry using a clean paper towel. This helps the breading stick properly. 

• Add more flavor. Feel free to adjust the measurements and add or omit spices according to your tastes. Celery salt, smoked paprika, dried parsley, or a store-bought seasoning mix are fantastic options. I also like to add cayenne pepper for some heat. 

• Skip the Ziploc. When I’m out of bags, I use any medium bowl to dredge the chicken.

• Use various cuts of chicken. Cooking times will vary depending on the cut and bone-in versus boneless. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. The internal temperature should reach 165°Fahrenheit.

• Try it with pork chops. This is a favorite in my family. Follow the directions for coating and seasoning. Bake pork chops in a baking dish at 375°Fahrenheit for bone-in and 400°Fahrenheit boneless chops. Bake for 20-45 minutes depending on the cut. Internal temperature should reach 145°Fahrenheit. 

• Cook in the air fryer. Spray the air fryer basket with oil to prevent sticking. Then, arrange the breaded chicken in a single layer in the basket. Fry at 380°Fahrenheit for 24-28 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even cooking. Enjoy your healthier fried chicken! 

• Try these sides. I often serve Chicken Shake and Bake with mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, waffles, cornbread, and more! And don’t forget the dipping sauces. BBQ sauce, ranch, and honey mustard are some of my faves. 

How to Store and Reheat Shake and Bake Chicken

While this recipe is best served immediately, storing leftovers is easy. Follow these tips for the perfect chicken leftovers. 

To store: Allow the chicken to cool completely. Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. (My leftovers never last that long!) 

To freeze: This chicken also freezes wonderfully! Wrap in aluminum foil, and place it in an airtight container. Then, pop in the freezer for up to 3 months.

To reheat: I love cold leftover chicken, but it also reheats well. Allow frozen chicken to thaw in the fridge overnight. To reheat, bake leftover chicken in the oven for 10 minutes at 375°Fahrenheit. Or, pop them in the air fryer! They’re ready in 5-7 minutes.

More Chicken Recipes You’ll Love

Greek Chicken
Cracker Barrel Fried Chicken
Cracker Barrel Grilled Chicken
Bisquick Fried Chicken
Bisquick Chicken Tenders

A Guide to Cooking Time:

Chicken Thighs	Boneless	25-30 minutes	400 degrees Fahrenheit
Chicken Pieces	Bone-In	40 minutes
Chicken Breasts	Bone-In	45-50 minutes
Chicken Breasts	Boneless	30-35 minutes
Chicken Tender and Nuggets	Boneless	15-18 minutes
Pork Chops	Boneless	20-35 minutes
Pork Chops	Bone-In	35-45 minutes	375 degrees Fahrenheit