If you’re craving a crunchy, flavorful dinner that’s both comforting and incredibly easy to pull together, this Homemade Shake and Bake Chicken Recipe is exactly what you need in your life. Imagine tender chicken breasts wrapped in a perfectly seasoned, crisp coating that’s bursting with personality from a delightful blend of herbs and spices. This recipe brings all the joy of classic shake and bake right into your kitchen, without relying on store-bought mixes. It’s an absolute crowd-pleaser that transforms simple ingredients into a memorable meal everyone will love.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering your ingredients for this recipe is a joy because each one plays a crucial role in building that irresistible crunchy crust and well-rounded flavor. From the aromatic spices to the essential moisture elements, these components come together seamlessly to create a satisfying dish.
- Plain breadcrumbs: The foundation for that crispy coating, offering texture and crunch.
- Sea salt: Enhances all the flavors, making every bite sing.
- Sugar: Adds a hint of sweetness to balance the savory spices.
- Paprika: Brings a warm, smoky color and flavor to the crust.
- Onion powder: Provides a subtle savory depth that rounds out the seasoning.
- Garlic powder: Infuses the coating with a beloved classic savory note.
- Freshly cracked black pepper: Adds mild heat and sharpness to brighten the palate.
- Cayenne (optional): For those who like a spicy kick, this pinch wakes up the flavor.
- Dried basil or oregano: Brings an herby, aromatic touch that complements the chicken beautifully.
- Vegetable oil: Ensures the breadcrumbs stick and crisp up perfectly in the oven.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: The star protein of the dish, tender and juicy after baking.
- Water: Helps the coating cling to the chicken to form that crunchy crust.
How to Make Homemade Shake and Bake Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (204°C) and positioning the rack in the middle. This heat level is just right to ensure your chicken bakes evenly and crisps up gorgeously. Line a rimmed sheet pan with foil for easy cleanup or leave it ungreased if you prefer.
Step 2: Mix Your Seasoned Coating
Combine your breadcrumbs with sea salt, sugar, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, optional cayenne, and dried basil or oregano in a large zip-top bag. This shake-and-mix technique lets you get an even distribution of all those flavors, making every bite consistently delicious.
Step 3: Add the Oil
Next, drizzle in the vegetable oil into your seasoning bag, seal it back up, and shake again. The oil is key—it lightly coats the crumbs to help them brown up beautifully and stick to your chicken.
Step 4: Moisten the Chicken
Pour about half an inch of water into a shallow dish. One piece at a time, dip the chicken into the water so the coating will adhere better. Let any excess water drip off so your crust stays crisp and not soggy.
Step 5: Coat the Chicken
Drop each moistened chicken breast into your breadcrumb mixture bag, seal it up, and shake energetically until it’s fully coated. If you spot any bare patches, gently press the crumbs onto the chicken to make sure the full surface is covered.
Step 6: Arrange for Baking
Place each coated chicken piece on the prepared baking pan, making sure there’s some space between them. This spacing ensures the heat circulates well, helping the crust crisp up evenly.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Bake the chicken for about 18 to 20 minutes, or until the coating is golden and crunchy. For perfectly cooked chicken, check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) using a meat thermometer. The result will be juicy inside and irresistibly crispy outside.
Step 8: Serve Hot and Crispy
Once out of the oven, serve your homemade shake and bake chicken immediately. This ensures every bite keeps that wonderful crunch and savory flavor combo that makes this recipe such a standout.
How to Serve Homemade Shake and Bake Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
Adding fresh garnishes like chopped parsley, a squeeze of lemon, or even a sprinkle of Parmesan can elevate the dish visually and flavor-wise. These simple touches boost freshness and bring brightness that balances the flavorful crust perfectly.
Side Dishes
This crispy chicken shines when paired with a medley of sides such as creamy mashed potatoes, steamed green beans, or a crisp garden salad. You can also serve it alongside roasted vegetables or fluffy rice to round out your meal with comforting textures and flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
Try slicing the chicken breasts thinly and layering them in a sandwich with fresh lettuce, tomato, and a tangy mayo for a packed lunch option. Or serve on top of a hearty grain bowl with avocado and a drizzle of ranch for a modern twist that’s sure to impress.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any shake and bake chicken leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. This keeps the chicken safe and still tasty, although the crispy crust will soften a bit.
Freezing
You can freeze the fully cooked chicken by wrapping each piece tightly in plastic wrap and then placing them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep well for up to two months, making it easy to enjoy this recipe anytime.
Reheating
To bring back some of that original crispiness, reheat leftover chicken in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 10-12 minutes. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it tends to make the coating soggy and less inviting.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs will work well for this recipe, offering extra juiciness and a slightly different texture. Just adjust the baking time to ensure they cook through properly.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Not as written, since traditional plain breadcrumbs contain gluten. However, you can easily swap in gluten-free breadcrumbs for a gluten-free version without sacrificing crunch or flavor.
Can I prepare the coating mix ahead of time?
Yes! The dry seasoning mix can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container for weeks. Just add the oil and coat the chicken fresh before baking for the best results.
What if I don’t have vegetable oil?
You can substitute with olive oil or any neutral oil you have on hand. Olive oil adds a lovely richness but be mindful of its flavor; vegetable oil keeps things simple and classic.
How do I know when the chicken is done?
Using a meat thermometer is the best way. Chicken is perfectly cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). The coating should be golden brown and the juices should run clear.
Final Thoughts
There’s something so satisfying about the crunch and burst of flavor in this Homemade Shake and Bake Chicken Recipe. It’s a wonderful dish to keep in your cooking repertoire for those busy weeknights or whenever you want a comforting, delicious meal with minimal fuss. I hope you love making it as much as you love eating it—happy cooking!
Print
Homemade Shake and Bake Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Homemade Shake and Bake Chicken recipe offers a flavorful and crispy coating for boneless, skinless chicken breasts or pork chops, made from a simple mix of seasoned breadcrumbs and herbs. The coating is moistened and thoroughly shaken onto the meat before baking, resulting in a crunchy, golden exterior and juicy interior, perfect for a quick and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Coating Mix
- 1 ½ cups plain breadcrumbs
- 2 teaspoons sea salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons sugar
- ¾ teaspoon paprika
- ¾ teaspoon onion powder
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- Pinch of cayenne (optional)
- 1 teaspoon dried basil or dried oregano
Other Ingredients
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast (or ½-inch thick boneless pork chops)
- ½-inch water (for moistening)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) and position a rack in the center. Prepare a rimmed baking sheet by lining it with foil or leaving it ungreased for baking.
- Mix Coating: In a large gallon-size zip-top bag, combine breadcrumbs, sea salt, sugar, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, optional cayenne, and dried herbs. Seal and shake vigorously to blend all the seasonings evenly.
- Add Oil: Open the bag and drizzle in vegetable oil, reseal, and shake until the oil is fully incorporated and the breadcrumbs are evenly coated.
- Moisten Meat: Pour half an inch of water into a pie pan. Take each piece of chicken or pork one at a time, dip into the water to moisten, allowing excess to drip off to prevent sogginess.
- Coat Meat: Transfer the moistened meat into the breadcrumb-coated seasoning bag, seal it, and shake well to coat the meat thoroughly. Press gently to ensure the coating sticks well. Place the coated meat pieces evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
- Repeat Coating: Continue moistening and coating the remaining meat pieces, placing each onto the baking pan with some space between them.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 18-20 minutes for chicken, or 15-18 minutes for pork chops, until the coating is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) for chicken or 145°F (63°C) for pork.
- Serve: Remove from oven and serve immediately while hot and crispy for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or pork chops cut to ½-inch thickness for even cooking.
- Adjust cayenne pepper to your preferred level of heat or omit if you prefer milder flavors.
- Ensure the chicken or pork is patted dry before moistening to avoid soggy coating.
- Check internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer for safe consumption.
- If desired, substitute dried basil with oregano or vice versa depending on flavor preference.
- This recipe can be made gluten-free by using gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- Leftover coated meat can be frozen before baking to bake fresh later.
