Shake n Bake is a popular seasoned coating mix that allows you to easily bread and flavor chicken right at home. It’s beloved for its quick preparation, crunchy texture, and delicious taste. However, a common problem many run into when using Shake n Bake is ending up with soggy, mushy chicken that lacks the signature crispiness.
There are a few tricks you can use to keep your Shake n Bake chicken from getting soggy. With the right technique, you can enjoy perfectly crispy, crunchy Shake n Bake chicken every time.
Why Does Shake n Bake Chicken Get Soggy?
There are a couple of main culprits that can lead to soggy Shake n Bake chicken:
Excess Moisture
Chicken naturally contains a good amount of moisture. If the raw chicken isn’t dried properly before coating in Shake n Bake, all that moisture gets trapped under the coating. As the chicken cooks, this moisture steam within the breading, leading to a soft, soggy texture.
Improper Cooking Method
How you cook your Shake n Bake chicken can also contribute to sogginess. If the chicken is crowded too closely together in the pan, the crust will steam and lose its crunch. Baking also causes more moisture buildup compared to high-heat frying.
How to Keep Shake n Bake Chicken Crispy
Luckily, it’s easy to avoid soggy Shake n Bake chicken with the following tips:
Thoroughly Dry Chicken
It’s essential to start with bone-dry chicken. Pat chicken pieces very dry with paper towels. Allowing the chicken to air dry in the fridge uncovered for a few hours before breading can also help remove excess surface moisture.
Use Buttermilk or Egg Wash
Dip chicken in buttermilk or beaten eggs before coating to help the Shake n Bake better adhere. The milk or egg proteins will bind the coating to the meat.
Press Coating On
Don’t just dust the Shake n Bake over the chicken. Press the coating onto the chicken firmly so it forms a thick, even layer that will hold up during cooking.
Let Sit Before Cooking
After breading, let the chicken sit for 10-20 minutes before cooking. This helps the coating further adhere and promotes extra crispy results.
Use Wire Rack
When baking, set chicken on a wire rack over a baking sheet. This allows air flow all around the chicken, preventing sogginess.
Don’t Overcrowd Pan
If pan frying, be sure not to crowd the chicken. Cook in batches if needed so pieces have enough space between them.
Finish Under Broiler
For extra crispy oven-baked chicken, place under the broiler for 1-2 minutes after baking. Keep a close eye to avoid burning.
Frying for Maximum Crispiness
While baking Shake n Bake chicken can produce decent results, frying is best for really crispy chicken that stays extra crunchy. There are two easy frying methods:
Pan Fry
Pan fry breaded chicken in about 1/4 inch of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Fry in batches, flipping once, until chicken is golden brown and juices run clear when pierced. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
Deep Fry
For ultracrisp chicken, deep fry at 350°F. Fry chicken pieces for 7-10 minutes, depending on size. Drain on a wire rack or paper towels. Be sure to monitor oil temperature carefully.
Helpful Tips
Keep these extra tips in mind for foolproof crispy Shake n Bake chicken every time:
– Use fresh, cold chicken – do not use chicken that was previously frozen or cooked
– Avoid overhandling chicken when breading to prevent compressing crust
– For added flavor and crunch, double bread chicken
– Refrigerate breaded chicken 20-30 minutes to help coating set before frying
– Adjust oven rack to lower third position and preheat oven well for crisper baked chicken
– Fry in small batches and don’t crowd pan
– Drain fried chicken on a wire rack or paper towels to allow steam to escape
Cooking Process
Here is a step-by-step overview of cooking crispy Shake n Bake chicken:
Prep the Chicken
– Cut chicken into desired pieces, removing any bones or skin
– Pat chicken very dry with paper towels
– Allow chicken to air dry in the fridge at least 2 hours or up to overnight, uncovered
Bread the Chicken
– Place chicken pieces into buttermilk or beaten egg wash
– Lift from buttermilk/egg and let excess drip off
– Place chicken pieces one at a time into bag with Shake n Bake
– Shake to thoroughly coat chicken in crumbs
– Press coating onto chicken to adhere
Set the Coating
– Place breaded chicken pieces on a wire rack or plate
– Refrigerate 20-30 minutes to allow coating to set
Cook the Chicken
For baked chicken:
– Preheat oven to 425°F
– Place chicken on wire rack set over a baking sheet
– Bake 25-30 minutes, until crust is crispy and chicken is cooked through
For pan fried chicken:
– Heat 1/4 inch oil in skillet over medium high heat
– Fry chicken pieces in batches. Do not crowd pan.
– Fry 3-5 minutes per side until golden brown
For deep fried chicken:
– Heat oil to 350°F in deep pot
– Fry chicken for 7-10 minutes, adjusting time as needed for even browning and cook through
– Drain all fried chicken on a wire rack or paper towel-lined plate
Serve and Enjoy
Let chicken rest 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your crispy Shake n Bake chicken on its own, on sandwiches, over salads, or however you prefer! Proper technique is the key to Shake n Bake chicken with a shatteringly crispy crust every time.
Common Questions
Should you soak chicken in buttermilk before Shake n Bake?
Yes, soaking chicken in buttermilk before coating in Shake n Bake helps the coating better adhere to the meat. The proteins in buttermilk create a tacky surface.
How long do you bake Shake n Bake chicken?
At 425°F, bake Shake n Bake chicken for 25-30 minutes. Smaller pieces may take less time. The chicken is done when the crust is crispy and golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Can you freeze Shake n Bake chicken?
It’s best to cook Shake n Bake chicken then freeze it. Freeze breaded raw chicken up to 1-2 days before cooking. To freeze cooked chicken, let it cool completely first then store in airtight containers or freezer bags up to 3-4 months.
What’s the best oil to fry Shake n Bake chicken?
For pan or deep frying, peanut, vegetable or canola oil work well. Avoid olive oil as it has a low smoke point. The oil should be 350-375°F for crispy Shake n Bake fried chicken.
How long does breaded chicken last in the fridge?
Raw breaded chicken will stay fresh in the fridge for 1-2 days. Make sure to cook or freeze within that timeframe for best quality and safety. Cooked fried chicken keeps 3-4 days refrigerated.
Shake n Bake Chicken Recipes
Take your Shake n Bake chicken to the next level with these tasty recipes:
Nashville Hot Shake n Bake Chicken
Ingredients:
– 1⁄4 cup hot sauce
– 1 tbsp brown sugar
– 1 tsp cayenne pepper
– 1⁄2 cup milk
– 1 large egg
– 1 cup flour
– 2 tbsp smoked paprika
– 1 tsp salt
– 1 tsp black pepper
– 1 tsp garlic powder
– 1 tsp chili powder
– 1 pack Shake n Bake chicken coating mix
– 3 lbs chicken drumsticks and thighs
– Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions:
1. Whisk together hot sauce, brown sugar, and cayenne in a small bowl. Set aside.
2. Place milk and egg in a shallow dish and whisk together.
3. In another shallow dish, mix together flour, paprika, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and chili powder.
4. Dredge chicken pieces in flour mixture first, then dip in egg wash, then press into Shake n Bake coating.
5. Allow chicken to sit 20 minutes before frying.
6. Heat 1⁄2 inch oil in cast iron skillet to 350°F. Fry chicken 12-15 minutes until cooked through and crust is crispy.
7. Toss hot chicken in spicy hot sauce mixture until coated. Enjoy immediately!
Ranch Shake n Bake Chicken
Ingredients:
– 1⁄2 cup mayonnaise
– 1 tbsp dried parsley
– 1 tsp garlic powder
– 1 tsp onion powder
– 1 tsp dried dill
– 1 pack Shake n Bake chicken coating
– 2 lbs chicken breasts, cut into strips
– 1⁄2 cup milk
– Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions:
1. In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder and dill. Mix until uniform ranch flavoring. Place in fridge until ready to use.
2. Place chicken strips into milk and soak 5 minutes.
3. Drain milk then toss chicken in Shake n Bake until evenly coated. Press coating on firmly.
4. Fry chicken in 350°F oil for 4-5 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
5. Toss hot fried chicken in ranch sauce until evenly coated. Serve immediately.
Lemon Pepper Shake n Bake Chicken
Ingredients:
– 1⁄4 cup lemon juice
– 2 tbsp olive oil
– 3 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 tbsp lemon zest
– 1 tbsp coarse ground black pepper
– 1 tsp salt
– 1 pack Shake n Bake chicken coating
– 3 lbs bone-in chicken thighs
– Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions:
1. In a small bowl, combine lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, lemon zest, pepper and salt. Mix well and set aside.
2. Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Dip in Shake n Bake, pressing coating on thickly.
3. Fry chicken in 350°F oil for 12-15 minutes until browned and cooked through.
4. Toss hot fried chicken with the lemon garlic sauce. Serve warm.
Storing and Reheating Shake n Bake Chicken
Follow these tips for storing and reheating leftovers:
Storage
– Let fried chicken cool completely before storing.
– Refrigerate in airtight container up to 3-4 days.
– For longer storage, freeze cooked chicken up to 3-4 months.
– Store Shake n Bake coated raw chicken in fridge just 1-2 days before cooking.
Reheating
– Refrigerated chicken can be reheated in a 350°F oven until hot, about 15-20 minutes.
– Microwave leftovers in 30 second intervals just until heated through.
– For crispiest results, re-fry chicken pieces in oil for 1-2 minutes per side.
– Always reheat chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F.
Troubleshooting
Having issues getting crispy Shake n Bake chicken? Try these troubleshooting tips:
Chicken is soggy
– Pat chicken drier before breading
– Allow breaded chicken to rest 20-30 minutes before cooking
– Don’t overcrowd pan when frying
– Use wire rack when baking
Coating falls off
– Chicken may be too wet – dry well and use buttermilk/egg wash
– Press coating on more firmly when breading
– Breading got too wet – blot with paper towels before cooking
Chicken is burnt outside but raw inside
– Use lower oven temp and bake longer
– Fry chicken at lower heat for longer time
– Cut pieces smaller or pound thicker pieces to even size
Coating lacks flavor
– Use extra seasoning in the coating like paprika, garlic powder, etc.
– Marinate chicken before breading to boost flavor
– Sprinkle chicken with extra seasoning right after baking/frying
Conclusion
With the right techniques like drying chicken thoroughly, setting the coating, frying at the proper temperature, and not overcrowding, you can easily achieve deliciously crunchy Shake n Bake chicken. Follow the tips outlined and get ready to enjoy flavorful, crispy Shake n Bake chicken that never turns soggy. Experiment with different seasonings and recipes to put your own spin on this fast, easy dinner. Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, Shake n Bake chicken is sure to become a go-to mealtime favorite.