Air Fryer Shake And Bake Chicken: Can You?

Shake and bake chicken is a popular dish that can be made in an air fryer. It is a quick and easy meal to prepare, with minimal ingredients and simple steps. The chicken is coated in a breading mixture and seasoned with spices, resulting in a crispy and juicy texture. The air fryer's even heat distribution ensures a perfect crunch on the outside while keeping the inside moist and tender. With a short cooking time of around 15 to 20 minutes, it is an ideal weeknight dinner option for busy individuals and families. The versatility of this recipe allows for customization with different cuts of chicken and additional seasonings, making it a flavorful and nostalgic comfort food.

Air fryer shake and bake chicken recipe

This air fryer shake and bake chicken recipe is a quick, easy, and tasty meal that can be prepared in just 30 minutes. The recipe is simple, requiring only chicken breasts and shake and bake seasoning. It's a great option for a busy weeknight and can be paired with sides like roasted carrots and asparagus for a more complete meal.

Ingredients:

• Chicken breasts
• Shake and bake seasoning (original flavored or other varieties like Parmesan Crusted or Crunchy Pretzel)
• Olive oil or oil spray
• Honey butter (optional)
• Fresh parsley (optional)

Instructions:

• Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees F.
• Pound your chicken to an even thickness, then moisten it with a bit of water or brush it lightly with olive oil. This step ensures the seasoning sticks to the chicken.
• Place the chicken breasts in the plastic bag that comes with the shake and bake seasoning. Seal the bag and shake until the chicken is evenly coated.
• Place the coated chicken in a single layer inside the air fryer basket.
• Spray the tops of the chicken with oil using an EVO Oil Mister or an oil spray.
• Air fry at 380 degrees F for 14-18 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through. The chicken is ready when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
• Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
• For an extra touch of flavor, drizzle honey butter over the chicken and garnish with chopped fresh parsley.

Tips:

• If your chicken isn't crispy enough, make sure your air fryer is preheated to the correct temperature and that the chicken pieces are not crowded in the pan.
• To reheat, let the chicken come to room temperature first, then reheat at 370 degrees F for 4-5 minutes.
• You can also use boneless chicken thighs, tenders, or drumsticks instead of chicken breasts.

Chicken preparation

Preparing chicken for shake and bake in an air fryer is a simple and quick process. The first step is to choose the chicken cut of your preference. While boneless skinless chicken breasts are the most common choice, you can also use chicken thighs, tenders, drumsticks, or even wings. If you're using thicker chicken breasts, you may want to pound them to an even thickness or butterfly them to ensure even cooking.

Next, you'll want to moisten the chicken. This step helps the breading adhere properly and keeps the chicken juicy. You can use water, mayonnaise, buttermilk, or a beaten egg for this. If you're using an egg, you can combine it with milk in a bowl and whisk them together. Then, dip the chicken into this egg wash.

Now it's time to coat your chicken with the shake and bake seasoning. Place your chicken in a plastic bag and add the shake and bake seasoning. Seal the bag and shake until the chicken is evenly coated. Alternatively, you can dip the chicken into the egg wash and then transfer it to a bowl containing the shake and bake seasoning, ensuring it's completely covered.

After your chicken is coated, you can spritz it with oil using an oil mister or cooking spray. This helps achieve a golden color and crispy texture. Arrange the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving enough space between the pieces to allow for proper air circulation.

Finally, preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature, usually between 380-400°F (200°C). The preheating step is crucial, as it ensures your chicken gets that perfect crunch.

Air fryer preparation

After that, spritz the air fryer basket with oil spray and place the chicken in a single layer, making sure the pieces are not touching. Spray the tops of the chicken with oil and cook for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway through. The chicken is ready when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), which you can check with a meat thermometer.

Your juicy and crispy shake and bake chicken is now ready to be served!

Cooking the chicken

Next, prepare the chicken for breading. Moisten it with water, egg wash (a mixture of egg and milk), or olive oil. You can also use mayonnaise, buttermilk, or beaten egg for extra juiciness. Then, coat the chicken with the Shake and Bake seasoning. This can be done by placing the chicken and seasoning in a plastic bag and shaking until the chicken is evenly covered, or by dipping the chicken into the egg wash and then into a dish of breadcrumbs and Shake and Bake seasoning. Make sure each piece of chicken is fully coated for maximum flavor.

Once the chicken is prepared, arrange the pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them to allow for proper air circulation and even cooking. Spray the tops of the chicken with oil using a cooking spray or oil mister.

Cook the chicken in the air fryer for 10–15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until it's crispy and golden brown. The cooking time may vary depending on the size and thickness of the chicken pieces, so it's important to monitor the temperature with a meat thermometer. The chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

After cooking, remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, keeping the chicken juicy. Serve the chicken with your choice of sides, such as green beans, roasted carrots and asparagus, or cheesy scalloped potatoes. You can also slice or chop the chicken and add it to a salad or wrap.

Reheating shake and bake chicken

When reheating, it is important to give the chicken space in the air fryer basket for the hot air to circulate. It is also a good idea to flip the chicken halfway through the cooking time. For best results, reheat the chicken at 370 degrees F for about 4-5 minutes, or until heated through.

If you want your chicken to be extra crispy, you can brush on a sauce 1-2 minutes before the end of the cooking time, or add it at the end. You can also use aluminum foil in the air fryer, which makes cleaning up easier. However, be sure to coat the foil lightly with a nonstick cooking spray so the chicken doesn't get stuck.

Frequently asked questions