Name: Homemade Shake and Bake Chicken Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 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; ¼ cup vegetable oil; 3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast (or ½-inch thick boneless pork chops); ½-inch water (for moistening)

Jump to Recipe· 4.6 from 88 reviews

If you’ve ever loved the convenience of store-bought coating mixes but wished for a fresher, tastier twist, you’ve got to try this Homemade Shake and Bake Chicken Recipe. It’s crispy, flavorful, and way better than anything out of a box. Plus, once you make your own, you’ll never want to buy the packaged kind again — I absolutely love how this turns out every single time!

💚

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fresh Ingredients: Making your own seasoning blend means no weird preservatives or artificial flavors.
Easy Prep: Just shake everything in a bag — minimal mess and quick cleanup.
Customizable Flavor: You control the spice level, herbs, and even oil for a perfectly crispy finish.
Healthy Swap: Using chicken breasts or pork chops gives you juicy protein without excess fat.

The dish shows three pieces of golden brown breaded chicken placed on the right side of a round white plate, sprinkled with small green herb bits. On the left side, there is a small bunch of bright green steamed broccolini with visible stems and florets. Above the broccolini is a mound of smooth white mashed potatoes with a well in the center holding a pool of melted yellow butter, sprinkled lightly with black pepper. The plate sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Homemade Shake and Bake Chicken, crispy homemade chicken coating, easy shake and bake chicken, flavorful baked chicken recipe, homemade chicken seasoning mix

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this Homemade Shake and Bake Chicken Recipe is in its simplicity and pantry-friendly ingredients. Each one adds a layer of flavor and crunch that makes that crust irresistible. When shopping, look for fresh spices and make sure your breadcrumbs are plain and light — that helps the seasoning shine.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl filled with plain golden breadcrumbs, a small white bowl of bright golden vegetable oil, a few sprigs of dried green basil, a small white bowl of coarse sea salt crystals, a small white bowl of granular white sugar, a small white bowl containing vibrant reddish-orange paprika powder, a small white bowl of pale beige onion powder, a small white bowl of off-white garlic powder, a small white bowl with freshly cracked black peppercorns, a tiny pinch of bright red cayenne powder in a white ceramic dish, and three plump, boneless, skinless chicken breasts arranged symmetrically, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p awthu7i m7354615311229779997 - Homemade Shake and Bake Chicken, crispy homemade chicken coating, easy shake and bake chicken, flavorful baked chicken recipe, homemade chicken seasoning mix

Plain breadcrumbs: I prefer fresh-style, not the super fine ones; they give a better crunch.
Sea salt: It seasons better than table salt and adds a nice texture contrast.
Sugar: Just a little to balance the spices without making the coating sweet.
Paprika: Adds warmth and a lovely color to the crust.
Onion powder: Gives depth without being overpowering.
Garlic powder: Because everything’s better with garlic!
Freshly cracked black pepper: Fresh grind really makes a difference in flavor.
Cayenne (optional): For a subtle kick that wakes up the palate.
Dried basil or oregano: Pick your favorite herb to personalize the flavor.
Vegetable oil: Helps the coating crisp up beautifully in the oven.
Boneless, skinless chicken breast (or pork chops): Honestly, I’ve tried both and it’s delicious either way — just adjust cooking times as needed.

📝

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

One of my favorite things about this Homemade Shake and Bake Chicken Recipe is how easy it is to tweak to fit your taste or dietary needs. I often tweak the herbs based on what I have on hand or how spicy I want it — feel free to get creative!

Spicy variation: Adding extra cayenne or chili powder took this from mild to fiery in my kitchen, and my family goes crazy for it when we’re craving heat.
Gluten-free: I swapped in gluten-free breadcrumbs with great success — just watch the cooking time closely as they crisp differently.
Herb swap: Rosemary or thyme bring an earthy twist I love when serving this in the fall.
Oil alternatives: Using melted butter instead of vegetable oil adds the richest flavor, though the crust browns a little differently.

How to Make Homemade Shake and Bake Chicken Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Coating Mix

First things first, preheat your oven to 400°F and position your rack in the center — that’s perfect for even cooking. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil (no greasing needed!). Meanwhile, combine the breadcrumbs and spices in a large zip-top bag. Here’s a trick I learned: shaking the spices together dry before adding the oil ensures everything is evenly spread.

Step 2: Add Oil and Mix Until Perfect

Drizzle in the vegetable oil directly into the bag and reseal. Shake it up until the oil is fully mixed — this step is key because it binds the breadcrumbs and spices, so your chicken gets that gorgeous golden crust. You might think it looks oily, but trust me, this is exactly the crispiness you want!

Step 3: Coat Your Chicken and Bake

Fill a shallow dish with about half an inch of water. Take one piece of chicken at a time and dip it into the water, letting the excess drip off. Then toss it right into your seasoned breadcrumb bag and give a good shake — I like to gently press the coating onto the chicken in the bag to make sure it sticks well. Transfer each piece to your sheet pan and repeat with the rest.

Pop the tray into the oven and bake for around 18–20 minutes, or until the internal temperature hits 165°F on an instant-read thermometer. Resist the urge to flip or cover, or you’ll lose that beautiful crunch. If you’re using pork chops, cook a little less time—15 to 18 minutes or until they reach 145°F.

👨‍🍳

Pro Tips for Making Homemade Shake and Bake Chicken Recipe

Use fresh spices: I learned that old spices make a bland crust — fresh garlic and paprika really bring it alive.
Don’t skip the water dip: It might seem odd, but moistening the chicken helps the coating stick like glue.
Oven position matters: Baking on the center rack means your chicken gets crispy all over instead of soggy bottoms.
No flipping needed: I tried flipping once and it ruined the crust; leave it alone until it’s done baking.

How to Serve Homemade Shake and Bake Chicken Recipe

The image shows a close-up of several pieces of breaded fried chicken on a white plate. Each piece is covered in a crispy, golden-brown coating with a rough, crunchy texture. There is a light sprinkle of green herbs scattered over the chicken, adding fresh color contrast. The chicken pieces overlap slightly, giving a sense of abundance, and the plate rests on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Homemade Shake and Bake Chicken, crispy homemade chicken coating, easy shake and bake chicken, flavorful baked chicken recipe, homemade chicken seasoning mix

Garnishes

I love a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or a few lemon wedges on the side for a zesty pop. Sometimes I’ll add a dash of smoked paprika right before serving to amp up the flavor and color — it makes the dish look as appetizing as it tastes.

Side Dishes

This chicken pairs perfectly with simple roasted veggies or a crisp garden salad to balance the crunchy coating. My family often requests creamy mashed potatoes or a bright coleslaw alongside it — both soak up any extra juices and make a complete, satisfying meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to serve the chicken sliced atop a bed of herbed couscous or wild rice, drizzled lightly with a garlic-yogurt sauce. It makes the dish feel fancy but still keeps that homey touch everyone loves.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the fridge, and it usually lasts well for 3 to 4 days. To keep the crust crispy, don’t stack the pieces—lay them out in a single layer when possible.

Freezing

If you want to freeze, I suggest freezing the chicken before baking for maximum freshness. Coat the raw chicken and arrange on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer to a freezer bag. When ready, bake straight from frozen, adding extra time to ensure it’s cooked through.

Reheating

The best way I’ve found to reheat is in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes. A quick broil at the end brings back that crispy crust wonderfully — avoid microwaving if you want to keep it crunchy.

FAQs

Can I use bone-in chicken for this Homemade Shake and Bake Chicken Recipe?

Bone-in chicken can be used, but it will require a longer cooking time to ensure it’s done all the way through. I recommend using a meat thermometer to check that your chicken reaches 165°F internally. Baking times can increase by 10–15 minutes depending on the size of the pieces.
What can I substitute if I don’t have vegetable oil?

You can substitute with melted butter or olive oil. Butter adds a richer flavor, while olive oil lends a fruity note. Just keep in mind that butter may brown faster, so watch your chicken closely in the oven.
Is this recipe suitable for gluten-free diets?

Yes! Simply swap the plain breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers. Just check the seasoning blends to be sure they’re gluten-free too. Cooking times remain similar, but monitor to avoid drying out.
Can I make the breadcrumb mixture ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can mix the dry ingredients together and store them in an airtight container for up to a week. Just add the oil and coat the chicken right before baking to keep everything fresh and crispy.
What’s the best way to check if the chicken is fully cooked?

Using an instant-read meat thermometer is your best bet. Insert it into the thickest part of the chicken breast and look for 165°F. This ensures juicy, safe-to-eat chicken without guesswork or drying out.

Final Thoughts

When I first made this Homemade Shake and Bake Chicken Recipe, I was hooked by how quickly it came together and that crispy, flavorful crust that’s just so satisfying. It’s perfect for weeknight dinners when you want something impressive but easy. I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as my family does — it’s become one of our go-to comfort meals, and I know it can be for you too!