Homemade Chicken Shake and Bake (2024)

This post may contain affiliate links, view our disclosure policy

This Homemade Shake and Bake Chicken is a classic comfort food recipe that covers tender, juicy chicken with a spice-filled crunchy coating! Requires only 15 minutes of hands-on prep time, your oven does the rest!

Jump to Recipe

This Homemade Shake and Bake Chicken is classic comfort food that covers tender, juicy chicken with a spice-filled crunchy coating! Requires only 15 minutes of hands-on prep time, then let your oven do the rest!

Make the ultimate comfort meal for your family by pairing this easy recipe with some delicious side dishes and then finishing it off with a sweet dessert!

Table of Contents

This Chicken Shake and Bake recipe is so simple and GOOD!

Gather friends and family around the dinner table to enjoy this wonderful recipe! It’s crunchy, moist, and tastes way better than the store-bought version!

Making Shake and Bake is way easier than you may think! Simply toss bread crumbs in a food processor, mix them with spices, coat the chicken, and then bake!

A simple homemade dinner that you can feel good about serving to your family!

What is shake and bake?

Shake and Bake is a seasoned bread crumb mixture that became popular in the 1960s and 70s. This homemade version skips the kit and makes a copycat version from pantry staples.

What I love about this recipe for Shake and Bake Chicken

Use Pork! Don’t like chicken or just don’t have any on hand? Swap it out for some boneless pork chops! I actually enjoy making shake and bake with both chicken and pork!
Homemade! This dish brings SO much more delicious flavor to the table since it’s homemade!
Make Your Own Bread Crumbs! Go a step further and make your own breadcrumbs! It’s super easy to do, just scroll down for directions!
Easy Dinner Option! This recipe takes just 15 minutes of hands-on time using pantry staple ingredients! This means you can still deliver a healthy, tasty meal to your family, even on the busiest weekdays!

Ingredients in Shake and Bake Chicken Recipe

You get to pick the cut of meat you use in this recipe I love using boneless chicken breasts, but if you prefer bone-in chicken thighs, you could also use that as well.

With boneless chicken breasts, I often will cut them up into chicken tenders or even chicken nuggets for my kids! Once you have your chicken (or pork chops!), it’s time to open up your pantry to make the coating!

The base of the coating is dry breadcrumbs. For this, you can grab your favorite store-bought crumbs or make your own at home!

After the breadcrumbs have been pulsed in a food processor, spices are then mixed in to add mouthwatering flavors! Those ingredients include garlic salt, pepper, onion powder, dried parsley, thyme, and paprika.

Lastly, you’ll need olive oil and cornstarch, both help the coating stick to the chicken!

How to make Shake and Bake Chicken

Mix the breadcrumbs, cornstarch, garlic salt, pepper, onion powder, paprika, parsley, and thyme in a large Ziploc bag.
Add olive oil to the breadcrumb mixture.
Dip each piece of chicken in the remaining olive oil.
Place the chicken into the Ziploc bag, seal the bag, and then squish it around to coat the chicken well.
Place the coated chicken on a sheet pan that’s lined with aluminum foil.
Bake the chicken in the oven. Then transfer the chicken pieces onto a wire cooling rack to prevent them from getting soggy.

How to serve Homemade Chicken Shake and Bake

This recipe should be served right after baking for the best texture and flavor. We recommend serving it with some delicious veggieSide DishesandBread.

Shake and Bake Chicken Sides

Roasted Duck Fat Potatoes
Balsamic Mushrooms
Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Buttermilk Cornbread

Shake and Bake Recipe (Chicken) FAQs

How Do I Make My Own Breadcrumbs To Use In This Recipe?

Bake three slices of bread on a baking sheet at 300 Degrees F for 10 minutes.
Flip the slices over and bake for another 5 minutes. Keep an eye on them as they dry to be sure the slices of bread aren’t browning.
Remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool.
Place the cooled bread into a food processor and pulse until fine crumbs form.

How Do You Get Shake and Bake To Stick To Chicken?

In this recipe, I use olive oil to get the shake and bake to stick to the chicken. For better results, you can dry each piece of chicken with paper towels before coating it in oil.
You could also dip the chicken in beaten eggs or even an egg-flour blend.

Can I Coat The Chicken In Vegetable Oil Instead Of Olive Oil?

Yes, that swap will work just fine!

How Can I Get A Thicker Breading Onto The Chicken?

I love a thicker breading on my chicken too! To achieve thicker breading I repeat the olive oil dip and bread mixture coating.

What Can I Substitute For Garlic Salt?

You can easily make your own! Just use 3/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder.

Shake and Bake Chicken Temperature

The chicken has finished cooking once it has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees.

How long to bake shake and bake chicken?

For boneless chicken, it will take about 20 minutes of baking to reach the correct internal temperature.
For bone-in chicken, it takes between 35 to 45 minutes to bake.
Another way to check for doneness is to cut into a piece of chicken. If the juices run clear, the chicken is cooked. But if they run red or pink, the chicken needs more baking time.

Can I Make The Seasoned Breading Mixture Ahead Of Time?

You can mix the dry ingredients together. Then wait to add the oil until you’re ready to make this chicken recipe. The dry mixture will last for weeks!

How Do I Store The Leftovers?

You can store them in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Or you can freeze them for up to 3 months.

What’s the best way to moisten chicken for shake and bake?

In this recipe, there’s no brining or marinating. This chicken is simply dipped in olive oil before being breaded and baked. As long as you don’t overbake it, the end results should be tender and juicy chicken.

Should you rinse chicken before shake and bake?

I don’t wash my chicken before cooking it and don’t recommend doing so, however, there are many people who do. The USDA and other organizations have conducted studies which concluded that washing chicken did more harm than good. ThisOur Science, Your Choice articlehas a lot of good information in it that you might find helpful.

How do you keep shake N bake crispy?

Follow the recipe directions for crispy chicken right out of the oven. Once stored, the chicken begins to lose it’s crispiness and won’t get back to the level it was right after baking. However, you can reheat it in the air fryer to get some of the crispy-factor back.

You won’t hear a single complaint at the dinner table when you serve this deliciously crisp Homemade Shake and Bake Chicken!

More Chicken Recipes You’ll Love

Check out more crowd-pleasing baked chicken recipes!

Garlic Chicken – A dairy-free dinner option that’s made with 40 cloves of garlic!
Oven Fried Chicken – The healthy version of everyone’s favorite comfort food!
Lemon Chicken Thighs – Slow-roasted chicken that’s bursting with delicious flavor!
Salsa Chicken – Juicy, flavorful chicken that’s made with only 4 ingredients in just 45 minutes!
Baked Chicken Wings – Skips the hassle of deep-frying while still delivering incredibly crispy chicken!

👋 Let’s Connect!

If you’ve tried thisrecipe, please let me know how you liked it in the comments below and leave a review. I love hearing from you!

Don’t forget to tag me – @sugarandsoulco – on Instagram and Pinterest with your photos or join our Sugar & Soul Show-offs Community and share them there, where you can join our recipe challenges!

5 from 6 votes

Homemade Chicken Shake and Bake Recipe

Author Rebecca Hubbell

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour

Equipment

Measuring cup
Measuring spoons
Baking Sheet

Ingredients

▢ 1 cup dry breadcrumbs
▢ 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
▢ 1 teaspoon garlic salt
▢ ½ teaspoon pepper
▢ ½ teaspoon onion powder
▢ ½ teaspoon dried parsley
▢ ½ teaspoon thyme
▢ ¼ teaspoon paprika
▢ 6 Tablespoons olive oil divided
▢ 1½ pounds chicken breasts about 5 breasts

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a large-rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with non-stick spray. Set aside.
Combine the breadcrumbs, cornstarch, garlic salt, pepper, onion powder, paprika, parsley, and thyme in a gallon-sized Ziploc bag.
1 cup dry breadcrumbs, 1 Tablespoon cornstarch, 1 teaspoon garlic salt, ½ teaspoon pepper, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon dried parsley, ½ teaspoon thyme, ¼ teaspoon paprika
Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and mix until the whole mixture is a sandy texture. Then pour the remaining 5 tablespoons of olive oil into a shallow bowl or plate and coat each piece of chicken.
6 Tablespoons olive oil, 1½ pounds chicken breasts
Add the chicken pieces to the bag, one at a time. And shake it around to coat the chicken well. If you want a thicker breading, coat the breaded chicken in oil again, then add it to the bag of breadcrumbs and shake.
The chicken will need to be baked for about 20 minutes or until it reaches an internal temperature is 165 degrees. If using other cuts of chicken, the baking time may vary.
Remove from the oven and transfer the chicken to a cooling rack to rest for a few minutes before serving. Using a cooling rack prevents the bottom of the chicken from getting soggy.

Notes

How Do You Get Shake and Bake To Stick To Chicken?In this recipe, I use olive oil to get the shake and bake to stick to the chicken. For better results, you can dry each piece of chicken with paper towels before coating it in oil. You could also dip the chicken in beaten eggs or even an egg-flour blend.
Can I Coat The Chicken In Vegetable Oil Instead Of Olive Oil?Yes, that swap will work just fine!
How Can I Get A Thicker Breading Onto The Chicken?I love a thicker breading on my chicken too! To achieve thicker breading I just repeat the olive oil dip and bread mixture coating.
What Can I Substitute For Garlic Salt?You can easily make your own! Just use 3/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder.
How Do I Know The Chicken Is Done Cooking?The chicken has finished cooking once it has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
Can I Make The Seasoned Breading Mixture Ahead Of Time?You can mix the dry ingredients together. Then just wait to add the oil until you’re ready to make this chicken recipe.The dry mixture will last for weeks!
How Do I Store The Leftovers?You can store them in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Or you can freeze them for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Did You Make This Recipe?

Don’t forget to share it with me on Instagram @sugarandsoulco and follow on Tiktok @sugarandsoulco and Pinterest @sugarandsoulco for more!

Shake and Bake chicken is a beloved comfort food that's simple to make and incredibly delicious. Its origins trace back to the 1960s and 70s when a seasoned bread crumb mixture gained popularity. The recipe involves coating tender chicken in a crunchy, spice-filled exterior and baking it in the oven, requiring minimal hands-on prep time. Let's break down the concepts involved:

Shake and Bake Chicken:

Ingredients:

Chicken: Typically boneless chicken breasts, but variations like bone-in chicken thighs or pork chops work well too.
Coating: Bread crumbs form the base; they can be store-bought or homemade. Other components include garlic salt, pepper, onion powder, dried parsley, thyme, paprika, olive oil, and cornstarch to help the coating adhere to the chicken.

Recipe Steps:

Preparation: Mix breadcrumbs, cornstarch, spices in a Ziploc bag, adding olive oil for consistency.
Coating Chicken: Dip chicken in olive oil, then coat thoroughly in the seasoned breadcrumb mixture.
Baking: Place coated chicken on a lined baking sheet, bake until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Serving: Best served immediately for optimal texture and flavor, often paired with side dishes like roasted potatoes, mushrooms, or cornbread.

Tips and Variations:

Bread Crumbs: Making your own breadcrumbs by baking and pulsing bread slices.
Coating Thickness: Achieve a thicker breading by repeating the olive oil dip and coating process.
Substitutions: Options include using different oils or making homemade garlic salt.

Cooking Times:

For boneless chicken: around 20 minutes at 400°F.
For bone-in chicken: 35 to 45 minutes at the same temperature.

Storage:

Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Expert Tips:

Coating Adherence: To ensure the coating sticks well, pat dry the chicken or consider using egg wash before applying the breadcrumb mixture.
Chicken Doneness: Aside from temperature, clear juices upon cutting indicate cooked chicken.

This homemade version allows flexibility in ingredients and customization while delivering a flavorful, crunchy exterior to your chicken. It's a fantastic option for quick and satisfying meals, adaptable to personal preferences and dietary needs.