How to Make Shake and Bake Chicken: A Step-by-Step Guide
Shake and bake chicken is a popular and delicious dish that is easy to make and perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to make shake and bake chicken, including the ingredients needed, the cooking process, and some useful tips and variations.
What is Shake and Bake Chicken?
Before we dive into the recipe, let’s first answer the question: what is shake and bake chicken? Shake and bake chicken is a type of breaded and fried chicken dish that is made by coating chicken pieces in a mixture of flour, seasonings, and breadcrumbs, and then shaking off the excess coating before frying the chicken in hot oil. The name "shake and bake" comes from the way the chicken is coated and cooked: you shake off the excess coating to get rid of excess breading, and then bake the chicken in the oven.
Ingredients Needed
To make shake and bake chicken, you will need the following ingredients:
- 2 lbs chicken pieces (thighs, legs, wings, breasts, or a combination)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 cup milk
- Butter or oil for greasing the baking sheet
How to Make Shake and Bake Chicken
Now that you have the ingredients, let’s move on to the cooking process. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to make shake and bake chicken:
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Rinse the chicken pieces under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels. Remove any visible fat or cartilage.
Step 2: Mix the Coating Mixture
In a large bowl, mix together the flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Whisk until well combined.
Step 3: Dip the Chicken in the Coating Mixture
Dip each chicken piece in the coating mixture, pressing the coating onto the chicken to ensure it adheres evenly.
Step 4: Dip the Coated Chicken in Beaten Egg and Panko Breadcrumbs
Dip the coated chicken piece in the beaten egg, making sure to coat it evenly. Then, roll the egg-coated chicken piece in the panko breadcrumbs, pressing the breadcrumbs onto the chicken to ensure they adhere evenly. Repeat this process for each chicken piece.
Step 5: Shake Off Excess Coating
Hold each breaded chicken piece over a plate or sheet pan and gently shake off the excess coating. This will help prevent excess breading from burning or sticking to the baking sheet.
Step 6: Place the Chicken on a Baking Sheet
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil and grease with butter or oil. Place the breaded chicken pieces on the baking sheet in a single layer, leaving some space between each piece.
Step 7: Bake the Chicken
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake the chicken for 30-40 minutes, or until it is golden brown and cooked through.
Tips and Variations
Here are some tips and variations to make your shake and bake chicken even better:
• Use different seasonings: You can add different seasonings to the coating mixture, such as dried herbs, grated ginger, or cayenne pepper, to give the chicken a unique flavor.
• Try different breadcrumbs: You can use regular breadcrumbs, whole wheat breadcrumbs, or even crushed crackers as a substitute for panko breadcrumbs.
• Add some zing: You can add a splash of hot sauce, such as Tabasco or Frank’s RedHot, to the coating mixture for an extra kick of heat.
• Make it crispy: For an extra crispy coating, you can drizzle the chicken with a little water and then bake it for an additional 5-10 minutes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, making shake and bake chicken is easy and fun! With these steps and tips, you can create a delicious and crispy chicken dish that is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. So go ahead, give it a try, and shake and bake your way to a tasty meal!
Table: Shake and Bake Chicken Recipe
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Chicken pieces | 2 lbs |
| Flour | 1 cup |
| Paprika | 1 tsp |
| Garlic powder | 1 tsp |
| Onion powder | 1 tsp |
| Salt | 1 tsp |
| Black pepper | 1 tsp |
| Panko breadcrumbs | 1 cup |
| Vegetable oil | 2 tbsp |
| Beaten egg | 1 cup |
| Milk | 1 cup |
| Butter or oil | for greasing the baking sheet |
Bulleted list of ingredients:
• 2 lbs chicken pieces
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 cup milk
• Butter or oil for greasing the baking sheet
Note: You can adjust the amount of seasonings and breadcrumbs to your taste.