• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Amish Heritage
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • About Me
  • About Amish
  • Recipes
    • Main Dish Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Amish Desserts
      • Amish Pies
      • Amish Cookies and Bars
  • Privacy
  • Newsletter
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • About Me
    • About Amish
    • Recipes
      • Main Dish Recipes
      • Side Dishes
      • Amish Desserts
        • Amish Pies
        • Amish Cookies and Bars
    • Privacy
    • Newsletter
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Amish Recipes

    Homemade Shake and Bake Chicken

    03/11/2023 by Anna 1 Comment

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    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.

    plate full of oven-fried chicken legs

    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.

    This post contains affiliate links...

    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.

    ingredients - chicken legs, oil, flour, cracker crumbs, butter, and seasonings
    preparing chicken by dipping it in butter and shake and bake

    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.

    chicken ready for the oven
    oven-fried shake and bake 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.

    plate with Amish chicken legs, potatoes, and green beans

    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

    Chicken and Rice Casserole

    Oven-Baked Chicken Breasts

    Barbecued Chicken

    Rice Krispie Chicken

    plate full of oven-fried chicken legs

    Homemade Shake and Bake Chicken Legs Recipe

    Homemade shake and bake for chicken is a simple and delicious way to coat your chicken with flavorful crumbs and spices. An easy and delicious dinner entrée that the whole family will enjoy.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 45 mins
    Total Time 1 hr
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American, Amish
    Servings 12 chicken legs
    Calories 491 kcal

    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!

    Notes

    This recipe can be made using chicken legs or thighs.
    In the photos, I used crushed saltine crackers (10 crackers), but you could use Ritz or butter crackers as well. And Panko breadcrumbs are also great to use in this recipe.
    If desired, flip the chicken halfway through cooking.
    *Nutrition is approximate.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1chicken legCalories: 491kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 30gFat: 33gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 169mgSodium: 486mgPotassium: 392mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 362IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 44mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword Amish Oven-Fried Chicken Recipe, Homemade Shake and Bake Chicken Legs
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More Amish Recipes

    • wooden bowl full of creamy grape salad
      Creamy Grape Salad (Amish Recipe)
    • slice of sour cream rhubarb pie
      Sour Cream Rhubarb Pie Crumb Topping (Amish)
    • PA Dutch bacon dressing over a salad
      PA Dutch Hot Bacon Dressing Recipe
    • chocolate brownie squares on a board
      Easy Homemade Brownies (Amish Recipe)

    Feel free to share!

    21 shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kimberly

      March 11, 2023 at 4:29 pm

      Great recipe! Thank you for including a gluten free variation! 🙂

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I’m Anna. I grew up Amish in the Lancaster County, Pa. area (the heart of Amish country). I currently live in a small rural town in Missouri and am a homeschool mom to 4 great kids. Some of my favorite things to do are spending time in the kitchen, (baking and preparing meals from scratch), gardening, and spending time with my lovely family.

    More about me →

    Recent

    • Amish girl wearing a kapp
      Amish Communion Services
    • Amish eclair cake on a plate
      Chocolate Eclair Cake (Amish Recipe)
    • whole cooked chicken
      Amish Chicken Recipes
    • Amish Reese's peanut butter bar on a plate
      Amish Reese's Peanut Butter Bars Recipe

    Seasonal

    • cup of hearty hamburger soup
      Hearty Hamburger Soup (Amish Soup Recipe)
    • bowl of PA chicken pot pie
      Pennsylvania Dutch Chicken Pot Pie
    • Amish chicken corn noodle soup
      Chicken Corn Noodle Soup Recipe -Amish
    • Amish beef stew
      Amish Beef Stew

    AMAZON DISCLOSURE: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. If you click on a link to make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you. Please see my full disclosure for further information.

    Most Popular Posts

    Breakfast plate with biscuits and gravy

    Amish Sausage Gravy Recipe for Biscuits and Gravy

    Amish pumpkin pie

    Amish Pumpkin Custard Pie Recipe

    Pennsylvania Dutch chicken croquettes

    Pennsylvania Dutch Chicken Croquettes Recipe

    moist Amish cornbread

    Easy Moist Amish Cornbread Recipe

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Me

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Important

    • Privacy

    Copyright © 2022 Amish Heritage