This homemade shake and bake chicken thighs recipe is so good, you won’t believe it’s not the original! I absolutely love the crunchy Panko breadcrumbs and flavorful Shake ‘n Bake seasoning mix that pairs perfectly with juicy chicken legs, thighs, and drumsticks. My copycat Shake and Bake is the best comfort dinner and it’s so easy to make in the oven!
Homemade Shake and Bake Chicken Thighs
Shake and Bake chicken is one of those nostalgic comfort meals that I still crave as an adult. Biting into super juicy pieces of chicken covered in the flavorful and crispy coating just feels like home. Luckily, I can make a DIY Shake n’ Bake using a homemade seasoning mix and resealable bag, and it tastes just as good as I remember! It’s so easy to literally just shake the chicken in that breadcrumb mix and then bake it up in the oven. I prefer to make this crunchy baked chicken with a mix of thighs and drumsticks, but you can use any chicken pieces, including breasts, bone-in, and boneless pieces.
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Crispy as Can Be!
One of the highlights of shake n bake chicken is getting a beautifully crisp and crunchy coating. So to prevent any sogginess, the chicken legs should not be touching while baking. If they’re too close together, the breading may stick and rub off the chicken. Plus, some parts won’t get the same exposure to the hot air. This is also why I recommend setting a wire rack in your baking sheet instead of placing the chicken directly on the pan.
Shake and Bake Chicken Recipe
Equipment
- Baking Sheet
Ingredients
- 3 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and legs (*)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Shake and Bake Seasoning Mix:
- 2 cups Panko breadcrumbs (finely ground)
- 2 tablespoons cornmeal
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1½ teaspoons ground paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set a wire rack on top. Spray it with nonstick spray and set aside.
- In a large Ziplock bag, add the panko, cornmeal, salt, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, thyme, oregano, and pepper. Seal the bag and gently shake to combine; set aside.2 cups Panko breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoons cornmeal, 2 teaspoons kosher salt, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 1½ teaspoons ground paprika, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- Rub the chicken pieces evenly with the oil. Place one piece of chicken in the Ziplock bag and shake gently to coat, then place it on the wire rack. Repeat with remaining pieces.3 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and legs, 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Bring chicken to room temperature before you begin. This will help breadcrumbs adhere, and ensures it bakes evenly. Set it on the counter for about 30 minutes before cooking. while the oven preheats.
- Be sure to pat your chicken dry with a clean paper towel. This helps the breading stick to the chicken.
- Placing a wire rack in the baking tray lifts the chicken up while baking, so that air circulates around all sides. This helps precent soggy breading on one side, and makes sure the coating is nice and crisp.
- Chicken is fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, but thighs and drumsticks are best when cooked closer to 175°F.
- When taking the temp with an instant read thermometer, be sure not to touch the bone–this will give you an inaccurate reading.
Note: Water, salt, pepper, oil, and broth are not counted as ingredients on this site.
Shake n’ Bake Flavors
While browsing at the grocery store, I’ve noticed that Shake ‘n Bake chicken seasoning comes in so many varieties now, including BBQ, buffalo, and ranch. So I’m inspired to try some new flavors with this recipe!
- Try swapping out the Panko breadcrumbs for crushed pretzel pieces, or a 50-50 mix of Panko and Parmesan cheese for a different flavor.
- Try swapping out half of the spices for a packet of ranch seasoning mix to make ranch and herb shake and bake!
How to Make Shake and Bake Chicken Step by Step
Prep: Gather the listed shake and bake chicken ingredients and measure out the seasonings. Preheat your oven to 400°F. Then line a baking sheet with parchment paper, set a wire rack on top, and spray it with nonstick spray and set it aside. I find the chicken is easiest to work with if it’s close to room temperature by the time I’m ready to coat it in breadcrumbs.
Mix the Seasoning: In a large resealable bag, add 2 cups of Panko breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoons of cornmeal, 2 teaspoons of kosher salt, 2 teaspoons of garlic powder, 1½ teaspoons of ground paprika, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, 1 teaspoon of dried thyme, 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, and 1 teaspoon of ground black pepper. Seal the bag and gently shake to combine, then set it aside.
Prep the Chicken: Rub 3 pounds of bone-in, skin-on chicken (a mix of thighs, drumsticks, and legs) evenly with 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
Coat the Chicken: Working with one piece of chicken at a time, place it in the resealable bag with the seasoned breadcrumbs, shake gently to coat, then place it on the wire rack.
Repeat: Repeat the process with the remaining pieces of chicken so that they’re all coated in the shake and bake breadcrumbs.
Bake the Chicken: Bake for 30-35 minutes, until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165-175°F. Serve Shake n’ Bake chicken immediately out of the oven, while hot and crispy!
Make Ahead Tip
The shake and bake seasoning can be made in advance and stored in a cool, dry place for up to 3 months. This recipe makes enough for one use, but you can easily scale it up and store it in bulk for later use.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover shake and bake chicken legs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze for 3 months.
Reheat in a baking dish covered in foil in a 350℉ oven for about 10 minutes. To reheat in the air fryer, cook at 375℉ for about 5 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
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