Easy Homemade Shake & Bake Chicken
Skip the boxed mix! This homemade Shake and Bake Chicken is crispy, flavourful, and incredibly easy to make with pantry staples. It's perfectly seasoned with garlic, herbs, and paprika, creating a delicious, crunchy coating that's baked until golden and juicy. An easy family dinner that's sure to become a regular on your menu.
Prep time
15 min
Cook time
35–40 min
Serves
Ingredients
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Chicken
- 3 lbsbone-in chicken thighs and drumsticks
- 2 tbspolive oil
- You can leave the skin on or remove it, depending on your preference.
Homemade Shake and Bake Seasoning
- 2 cupsfinely ground breadcrumbs or panko breadcrumbs
- Generous pinch of salt
- Generous pinch of black pepper
- 2 tspgarlic powder
- 1½ tsppaprika
- 1 tsponion powder
- 1 tspdried thyme
- 1 tspdried oregano
Ingredients
Chicken
- 3 lbsbone-in chicken thighs and drumsticks
- 2 tbspolive oil
- You can leave the skin on or remove it, depending on your preference.
Homemade Shake and Bake Seasoning
- 2 cupsfinely ground breadcrumbs or panko breadcrumbs
- Generous pinch of salt
- Generous pinch of black pepper
- 2 tspgarlic powder
- 1½ tsppaprika
- 1 tsponion powder
- 1 tspdried thyme
- 1 tspdried oregano
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- 2
Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top.
- 3
Brush the chicken pieces with the olive oil until evenly coated.
- 4
In a large bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, thyme, and oregano.
- 5
Coat each piece of chicken thoroughly in the breadcrumb mixture, gently pressing the coating onto the chicken so it adheres well.
- 6
Arrange the coated chicken pieces on the prepared wire rack, leaving a little space between each piece.
- 7
Lightly spritz the tops with olive oil. This helps the coating become even crispier as it bakes.
- 8
Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the coating is golden brown and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- 9
Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Melissa's Notes
Using a wire rack allows the hot air to circulate around the chicken, helping the coating crisp up on all sides.
A light spray of olive oil before baking creates an even crispier finish.
This seasoning mixture is incredibly versatile — try it with chicken breasts, chicken tenders, or homemade chicken nuggets.
For extra crispy chicken, avoid overcrowding the baking sheet.
**Storage:** Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in a 375°F oven or air fryer until hot and crispy. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it will soften the coating.
Nutrition Information
Per serving — based on 6 servings. Estimate only; varies by ingredients used.
Nutrition information is an estimate and may vary depending on the ingredients and brands used.
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