Homemade Shake and Bake Chicken Legs (Amish Recipe)
Homemade shake and bake chicken legs or thighs are a delicious and easy-to-prepare dish that is perfect for any weeknight dinner or family gathering.
This Amish recipe features a blend of seasonings, flour, and crumbs that coat the chicken legs, creating a crispy, golden crust that is full of flavor.
Easy Baked Chicken Legs
If you're tired of the same old baked chicken, it's time to try a new recipe.
Shake and Bake Chicken is a popular recipe that involves coating chicken in a crumb mixture and baking it until crispy and golden brown. The recipe is simple and easy to follow, making it a go-to for busy weeknights.
The crumb mixture is typically made with a combination of flour, paprika, garlic powder, and cracker or breadcrumbs. This is shaken in a bag with the chicken to coat it evenly.
And once the chicken is coated, it is placed on a baking sheet and baked until fully cooked. The result is a delicious and flavorful chicken that is juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside.
Shake and Bake Chicken is a delicious and convenient way to enjoy crispy baked chicken, without the hassle of frying.
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Why Should I DIY Shake and Bake?
When I can easily buy a premade shake-and-bake mixture, why should I bother making it?
Well, I'm glad that you asked because I have a couple of reasons why you should use homemade instead of store-bought shake and bake.
Number one, homemade is cheaper, and it's very easy to make. I keep all the ingredients stocked in my pantry, and it only takes a couple of minutes to mix them.
Secondly, It's better for you. (And in case you didn't know, homemade is almost always better for you than store-bought.) The list of ingredients on packaged food often has stuff that most of us don't even know what they are.
With artificial sweeteners, high fructose corn syrup, and lots of preservatives included in processed foods, homemade is the better option.
Thirdly, you can adjust the seasonings and flavors to create something that you will love.
And last but not least, you can make gluten-free shake and bake, if needed. Substitute the flour with cornstarch and use gluten-free bread or cracker crumbs.
Baked Chicken Legs in Oven
Homemade Shake and Bake Chicken is a classic recipe that has been a favorite among home cooks for decades.
And to make this Amish Shake and Bake Chicken, you will need bone-in chicken pieces such as drumsticks or thighs. These cuts of chicken are perfect for this recipe because they are flavorful and can withstand the high heat of baking without drying out.
The crumb mixture for Homemade Shake and Bake Chicken is made with a combination of flour, cracker or breadcrumbs, and spices.
The flour helps the mixture adhere to the chicken while the spices add flavor. And the crumbs give the chicken its crispy texture.
To begin, preheat your oven to 400°F. Then mix the crumbs, flour, seasonings, and oil. You can mix this in a large ziplock bag, or mix it in a bowl and then pour it into a bag.
Brush or dip the chicken pieces into melted butter. Then add the chicken (a few pieces at a time works best) to the bag and shake until the chicken is evenly coated with the crumb mixture. And you can press it onto the chicken to make sure it is well-coated.
Next, place the chicken pieces onto a baking sheet pan lined with foil or parchment paper. And make sure to leave some space between each piece of chicken to allow for even cooking.
Oven-Baked Chicken
Place the baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake for about 45 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked and the crumbs are golden brown.
I recommend using a cooking thermometer to check the chicken for doneness. Insert the thermometer into the fattest part of the chicken to get a proper reading.
Chicken is considered safe to eat when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. But, in my opinion, that's not cooked well enough for legs and thighs. I prefer them cooked to 180 degrees.
Once the chicken is fully cooked, remove it from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful chicken.
Variations for Homemade Shake and Bake
One of the great things about Homemade Shake and Bake Chicken is that it can be easily customized to your taste preferences.
You can use this shake-and-bake mixture to coat any pieces of chicken (legs, thighs, breasts, or wings). But, of course, baking time will decrease when using breasts or wings.
And if you prefer a spicier chicken, add more cayenne pepper to the crumb mixture. If you want a milder flavor, omit the cayenne pepper and reduce the amount of paprika.
In addition, you can experiment with different types of crackers or breadcrumbs to give the chicken a unique flavor and texture.
Panko breadcrumbs are great to use for copycat shake and bake, and will produce a lighter and crunchier coating.
For homemade shake and bake without breadcrumbs, use cracker crumbs instead. When crushing them, however, make sure to leave little pieces. You don't want to turn them into powder.
Sides to Serve with Shake and Bake Chicken
Homemade Shake and Bake Chicken is a versatile dish that can be served with various sides.
It pairs well with roasted vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, or potatoes. Or you could serve it with mashed potatoes, scalloped potatoes, layered lettuce salad, broccoli salad, etc.
And any leftover chicken can be removed from the bones and used in chicken casseroles, soups, or even wraps.
Amish Baked Chicken
In conclusion, this Amish recipe for Homemade Shake and Bake Chicken is a classic recipe that is perfect for busy weeknights or when you want a simple and delicious meal.
With just a few ingredients and minimal prep work, you can have a flavorful and crispy chicken in no time. So, the next time you're looking for a quick and easy dinner idea, try Homemade Shake and Bake Chicken.
And if you try this recipe, I would love it if you left a comment and star rating below.
More Amish Chicken Recipes
Homemade Shake and Bake Chicken Legs Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
- 1/2 c. crushed crackers or breadcrumbs
- 2 tsp. paprika (I like to use smoked paprika)
- 1 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. sugar
- 3/4 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp. onion powder
- 1/2 tsp. dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp. black pepper
- 1/2 tsp. poultry seasoning (optional)
- 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 Tbsp. cooking oil
- approx. 4 1/2 lb. chicken legs (about 10 - 12 legs)
- 4 Tbsp. melted butter (1/4 c.)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°.
- Place a piece of foil onto a large baking sheet and spray the foil with cooking spray.
- In a bowl, combine the flour, crumbs, and seasonings. Add the oil and mix well. Pour it into a large ziplock bag.1/2 c. all-purpose flour, 1/2 c. crushed crackers or breadcrumbs, 1 1/2 tsp. salt, 2 tsp. paprika, 1 tsp. sugar, 3/4 tsp. garlic powder, 1/2 tsp. onion powder, 1/2 tsp. dried thyme, 1/2 tsp. black pepper, 1/2 tsp. poultry seasoning (optional), 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper (optional), 1 Tbsp. cooking oil
- If the legs have excess fatty skin, trim them a bit.approx. 4 1/2 lb. chicken legs (about 10 - 12 legs)
- Melt the butter, and dip or brush each piece of chicken to cover with butter.4 Tbsp. melted butter (1/4 c.)
- Put a few pieces of buttered chicken into the bag of crumbs/seasoning mixture at a time and shake to cover.
- Place the chicken onto the foil-lined tray, leaving a bit of space between each piece.
- Bake at 400°, uncovered, for about 45 minutes. Or until the internal temperature reaches about 180°.
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes and enjoy!
Kimberly
Great recipe! Thank you for including a gluten free variation! 🙂