Air Fryer Shake And Bake Chicken: Quick And Crispy!

Shake and bake chicken is a quick, easy, and delicious meal that can be made in an air fryer with minimal preparation and cooking time. This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights when you want a tasty, crispy, and juicy chicken dish without the hassle of deep frying. The air fryer method also reduces the amount of fat and calories in the dish compared to traditional frying.

How to Make Shake and Bake Chicken in an Air Fryer

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the shake-and-bake chicken preparation process. It ensures that your chicken gets a perfect, crispy texture. The ideal temperature for preheating your air fryer is between 375°F and 400°F (or 190°C and 200°C). This temperature range is high enough to give your chicken that desirable crunch without burning it.

Different air fryer models may have specific preheating requirements, so it's always a good idea to refer to your manufacturer's guide to determine if preheating is necessary and for how long. As a general rule, preheating your air fryer for 3-5 minutes at the desired temperature should be sufficient.

While your air fryer is preheating, you can prepare the chicken by coating it with the shake-and-bake seasoning. This ensures that the chicken is ready to go into the air fryer as soon as it reaches the desired temperature.

Once preheated, you can place the coated chicken pieces into the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overcrowded. This is important because proper spacing allows for adequate air circulation, resulting in even cooking and crispiness.

After placing the chicken in the air fryer, you may lightly spray the chicken with cooking oil or olive oil spray. This step is not mandatory but helps achieve a nice golden color and crispy texture on your chicken.

In summary, preheating your air fryer to the right temperature is crucial for achieving the perfect crunch on your shake-and-bake chicken. By following the recommended temperature settings and allowing sufficient preheating time, you'll be well on your way to enjoying delicious, crispy, and juicy shake-and-bake chicken.

Prepare the chicken

The first step to making shake and bake chicken in an air fryer is to prepare the chicken. Here is a step-by-step guide:

• Moisten the chicken: Start by moistening the chicken with water, olive oil, milk, or beaten eggs. This step helps the coating adhere to the chicken. You can also use mayonnaise or buttermilk for an extra juicy result.
• Shake with seasoning: Place the moistened chicken into a plastic bag containing the shake and bake seasoning. Seal the bag and shake until the chicken is thoroughly coated. You can also use a bowl for this step if you prefer.
• Coat evenly: Ensure that each piece of chicken is evenly coated with the seasoning. You may need to shake and coat the chicken one piece at a time to achieve an even coating.
• Prepare the air fryer basket: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper. This step helps prevent sticking and ensures that your chicken doesn't stick to the basket.
• Place chicken in the air fryer: Place the coated chicken pieces into the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not overcrowded. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the chicken in batches.
• Spray with oil: After placing the chicken in the air fryer, spray the tops of the chicken with cooking oil or olive oil. This step helps achieve a golden colour and crispy texture.

By following these steps, you will have perfectly prepared chicken that is ready to be cooked in your air fryer!

Make the coating

The coating is what gives your shake and bake chicken its delicious flavour and crispy texture. Here's a step-by-step guide to making the perfect coating:

Step 1: Prepare the chicken

Start by rinsing and patting dry your chicken pieces with paper towels. Removing excess moisture is crucial to achieving a crispy coating. You can use chicken breasts, drumsticks, thighs, or tenders, but ensure they are boneless and skinless. If using large chicken breasts, slice them into cutlets or pound them to ensure even thickness for consistent cooking.

Step 2: Mix the coating

In a mixing bowl, combine your chosen coating mixture. You can use a store-bought shake and bake packet, or make your own by mixing breadcrumbs, all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and a blend of herbs and spices such as garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, oregano, thyme, basil, and black pepper. You can also add parmesan cheese to the mix for extra crispiness. Transfer the coating mixture to a large ziplock bag or a plastic bag that comes with the store-bought mix.

Step 3: Coat the chicken

Place a few pieces of chicken into the bag with the coating mixture, seal it tightly, and shake vigorously until the chicken is thoroughly coated. Repeat this process until all your chicken pieces are evenly coated. You can also coat the chicken one at a time if you prefer. For an extra juicy result, you can moisten the chicken with mayonnaise, buttermilk, beaten egg, or olive oil before coating.

Step 4: Prepare the air fryer basket

Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper. This step ensures the chicken doesn't stick to the basket and helps achieve a crispy texture.

Step 5: Place the chicken in the air fryer

Arrange the coated chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they don't touch. You may need to cook the chicken in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.

Now that your chicken is coated and ready to go, you can proceed to cook it in your preheated air fryer!

Cook the chicken

Now that you've prepared your chicken by moistening it and coating it with the shake and bake seasoning, it's time to cook it!

Cooking the Chicken

• First, preheat your air fryer to 380°F–400°F (190°C–200°C).
• Place the coated chicken pieces inside the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they don't touch. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the chicken in batches.
• Spray the chicken with cooking oil or olive oil spray. This step is crucial for achieving a golden, crispy texture.
• Close the air fryer and cook the chicken for 10–18 minutes, depending on the thickness of the pieces. For thicker chicken breasts, you may need to cook them for up to 20 minutes.
• Flip the chicken pieces halfway through the cooking process and spray them again with cooking oil.
• To ensure your chicken is cooked through, use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
• Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, keeping the chicken juicy.

Rest the chicken

Resting the chicken is an important step in the cooking process. After removing the chicken from the air fryer, it is important to let it rest for a few minutes before serving or slicing. This resting period, typically around 5 minutes, allows the juices to redistribute and helps keep the chicken moist and juicy. It is important not to skip this step as it ensures the chicken is tender and flavorful.

During the resting period, the juices that have been drawn to the surface of the chicken during cooking will have a chance to be reabsorbed into the meat. This helps prevent the chicken from drying out and ensures that each bite is juicy and tender. The resting time also gives the chicken a chance to finish cooking gently and allows the internal temperature to even out. This is especially important if you plan to slice the chicken, as it helps keep the juices from running out and keeps the chicken moist.

Additionally, resting the chicken makes it easier to handle and serve. It gives you a few minutes to prepare any sides or sauces that you may want to serve with the chicken. It also ensures that the chicken is not too hot, making it more comfortable to eat.

For best results, it is recommended to use a meat thermometer to check that the chicken has reached the safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before resting and serving. This ensures that the chicken is cooked through and safe to eat.

Frequently asked questions