If you want a crispy and juicy chicken, you're in the right place. I'm going to show you my air fryer shake and bake chicken recipe. It's a fantastic way to get that crispy, flavorful chicken with only 20 minutes of cooking time. The best part? It has simple ingredients and less oil. This air fryer chicken thighs are perfect dinner when you need something quick and tasty.
The best thing about this air fryer shake and bake chicken is that the spices are just mixed up in one seasoning packet. Ready to pop in the air fryer—no extra steps needed. Trust me, it's a great recipe for busy weeknights.
This air fryer chicken thighs were inspired by my other homemade version and air fryer chicken recipes, Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks, Air Fryer Chicken Wings, Air Fryer Chicken Breast, Air Fryer Chicken Tenders, Asian Fried Chicken and pairs well with my new recipes, Caramelized Onion Pasta, Spring Roll Salad. All of these recipes can be one of your easy weeknight dinner option.
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Ingredients for Air Fryer Shake and Bake Chicken
- chicken quarters (cut into chicken thighs and drumsticks)
- bread crumbs
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- smoked paprika
- oregano
- salt
- black pepper
Butter Mixture:
- melted butter
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- smoked paprika
- black pepper
Honey Butter:
- melted butter
- honey (or hot honey for extra kick)
Garnish:
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Drizzle of honey butter
See recipe card for quantities.
How to make shake and bake chicken thighs
Prepare butter mixture.
Coat the chicken in the butter mixture.
Coat the chicken with the breadcrumb mixture.
Air fry the chicken.
Prepare Chicken:
- Rinse the chicken quarters under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels.
- Using a sharp knife, cut each chicken quarter into thighs and drumsticks, separating them at the joint.
Breadcrumb Mixture:
- In a shallow dish, combine bread crumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Whisk the mixture until fully incorporated.
Butter Mixture:
- In a separate bowl, melt the butter in the microwave or on the stovetop.
- Stir in garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper until well combined.
Coat the Chicken:
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Don't forget to read your air fryer guide to avoid mistakes.
- Dunk each piece of chicken into the butter mixture, ensuring it's thoroughly coated.
- Immediately press the butter-coated chicken into the breadcrumb mixture, ensuring an even coating on all sides.
- Place the coated chicken on a plate or tray.
Air Fry:
- Once all the chicken pieces are coated, place them in the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not overcrowded. The size of your air fryer should be 10% bigger than the total number of pieces of your chicken.
- Cook the chicken in the air fryer according to your air fryer's instructions or until they are golden brown and cooked through. This typically takes about 25-30 minutes cook time at 375°F (190°C), flipping halfway through cooking for even crispiness.
Prepare Honey Butter:
- While the chicken is cooking, prepare the honey butter by mixing melted butter with honey in a small bowl. Adjust the sweetness by adding more or less honey according to your taste preference.
- Use hot honey if you want a little spice.
Serve:
- Once the chicken is cooked through and crispy, remove it from the air fryer and transfer it to a serving platter or baking tray.
- Drizzle the honey butter over the crispy chicken pieces.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley for a pop of color and flavor.
- Serve immediately, and enjoy your deliciously crispy and flavorful buttery breadcrumb cooked chicken with a hint of sweetness from the honey butter drizzle!
Substitutions
Chicken thighs or drumsticks. You can always cut the quarters into chicken tenderloins, chicken legs, or any type of chicken you like, even leftover chicken. However, I'd recommend a boneless skinless chicken breast for substitution. Just make sure to be careful with each size of the pieces.
Breadcrumbs:
- Crushed cornflakes or cornmeal instead.
- Crushed crackers (like Ritz or saltines) for a different crunch.
- Parmesan cheese or mix it in with the breadcrumbs for that extra flavor.
Garlic Powder:
- Fresh minced garlic instead.
- Garlic salt (use less extra salt).
Onion Powder:
- Finely chopped fresh onions or shallots for a stronger onion flavor.
- Onion salt (use less extra salt).
- Caramelized onion powder for richer flavor.
- Cayenne pepper, try this - this is my favorite seasoning.
Smoked Paprika:
- Regular paprika for milder taste.
- Chipotle powder for smoky, spicy kick.
- Ancho chili powder for smoky, fruity flavor and variety of flavors.
Oregano:
- Thyme or basil instead.
- Italian seasoning blend (mix of herbs) for variety.
- Rosemary for stronger flavor.
Melted Butter
- Olive oil spray for a different flavor.
- Avocado oil or vegetable oil if you prefer. Make sure it's only a tablespoon of oil.
- Melted coconut oil adds a hint of sweetness.
Honey
- Maple syrup for sweetness.
- Agave nectar for a vegan option.
- Brown sugar dissolved in a bit of water for a syrupy consistency.
- Hot sauce for a spicy kick.
Garnish:
- Instead of parsley, you can use chopped cilantro, chives, or green onions for a different herbal note.
- Instead of honey butter drizzle, try a splash of maple syrup, agave syrup, or a sprinkle of brown sugar for sweetness.
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring spoons
- Tongs
How to store and reheat
Storage:
- Transfer leftovers to an airtight container, ensuring it's sized appropriately.
- Refrigerate for 3-4 days, or freeze for longer storage if desired.
Reheat:
- Microwave for a minute or until heated through.
- Air fry for 2-5 minutes or until it’s warmed through and crispy.
Top tips
- Preheat for success. Fire up that air fryer before you start. Getting it nice and hot ensures your chicken gets that perfect crunch for your delicious meal.
- Coat it right. Don't hold back on the breadcrumb mix! Make sure each piece of chicken is fully coated for maximum flavor and bake seasoning mix. Shake off any excess to keep things crispy.
- Temperature matters. Keep an eye on the temp! Use an instant-read thermometer or meat thermometer to check that your chicken hits 165 degrees °F (74°C) inside. That way, you'll know it's cooked through and safe to eat.
Air Fryer Shake and Bake Chicken - FAQ
Shake and Bake Chicken is made with chicken pieces coated in a mixture of breadcrumbs and seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper. The ingredients are very simple, you can buy all of them in the grocery store. The chicken is then baked or air-fried until crispy and golden brown.
Shake and Bake chicken cooks at 400°F (200°C) in the oven or air fryer. This high heat makes the chicken crispy outside and cooks it evenly inside. Make sure to always check the internal temperature of the chicken for best results. Just pop it in and wait for it to get golden brown and delicious!
If your shake-and-bake chicken isn't crispy, it might be because the oven or air fryer wasn't hot enough. Make sure to preheat it well. Also, if the chicken pieces are too crowded on the pan, they won't get crispy. Try spacing them out more. Make sure to pat the chicken dry before coating it to prevent sogginess. You can also try deep frying to make sure it has the crispy coating or crispy texture you desire.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with air fryer shake and bake chicken:
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Easy Air Fryer Shake and Bake Chicken Recipe
If you want a juicy chicken with healthier option, you're in the right place. I'm going to show you how awesome my shake and bake chicken recipe is in the air fryer!
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: serves 4 people
Ingredients
4 chicken quarters (cut into chicken thighs and drumsticks)
½ cup bread crumbs
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
Butter Mixture:
½ cup melted butter
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon black pepper
Honey Butter:
½ cup melted butter
1 tablespoon honey (or hot honey for extra kick)
Garnish:
Fresh parsley, chopped
Drizzle of honey butter
Instructions
Prepare Chicken:
- Rinse the chicken quarters under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels.
- Using a sharp knife, cut each chicken quarter into thighs and drumsticks, separating them at the joint.
Prepare Breadcrumb Mixture:
- In a shallow dish, combine bread crumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Whisk the mixture until fully incorporated.
Prepare Butter Mixture:
- In a separate bowl, melt the butter in the microwave or on the stovetop.
- Stir in garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper until well combined.
Coat the Chicken:
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Dunk each piece of chicken into the butter mixture, ensuring it's thoroughly coated.
- Immediately press the butter-coated chicken into the breadcrumb mixture, ensuring an even coating on all sides.
- Place the coated chicken on a plate or tray.
Air Fry:
- Once all the chicken pieces are coated, place them in the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not overcrowded.
- Cook the chicken in the air fryer according to your air fryer's instructions or until they are golden brown and cooked through. This typically takes about 25-30 minutes at 375°F (190°C), flipping halfway through cooking for even crispiness.
Prepare Honey Butter:
- While the chicken is cooking, prepare the honey butter by mixing melted butter with honey in a small bowl. Adjust the sweetness by adding more or less honey according to your taste preference.
- Use hot honey if you want a little spice.
Serve:
- Once the chicken is cooked through and crispy, remove it from the air fryer and transfer it to a serving platter.
- Drizzle the honey butter over the crispy chicken pieces.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley for a pop of color and flavor.
- Serve immediately, and enjoy your deliciously crispy and flavorful buttery breadcrumb chicken quarters with a hint of sweetness from the honey butter drizzle!
Notes
- Preheat for success. Fire up that air fryer before you start. Getting it nice and hot ensures your chicken gets that perfect crunch for your delicious meal.
- Coat it right. Don't hold back on the breadcrumb mix! Make sure each piece of chicken is fully coated for maximum flavor and bake seasoning mix. Shake off any excess to keep things crispy.
- Temperature matters. Keep an eye on the temp! Use an instant-read thermometer or meat thermometer to check that your chicken hits 165 degrees °F (74°C) inside. That way, you'll know it's cooked through and totally safe to eat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: mains
- Method: air fryer
- Cuisine: american
Food safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
Francesca
Everything is well balance from the breadcrumb mixture to butter mixture and honey butter plus garnish really makes the dish perfect.
Danielle
A new family favorite. I used boneless, skinless chicken thighs (it was what I had) and the recipe turned out amazing.
Taylor
Loved the butter mixture😊
Dalia C.
The spicy honey that I add is a must! It definitely levels up the game.