This air fryer shake & bake chicken is a simple and delicious meal that is ready to eat in only 20 minutes. The chicken is coated in shake & bake breading and then perfectly cooked in the air fryer until the outside is crisp and the inside is wonderfully juicy. With just 3 ingredients and tons of flavor, it may become your new favorite way to prepare chicken!
This pairs well with a variety of side dishes, such as roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, Vermicelli rice, or a simple salad. Take a look at my post all about what to serve with shake & bake chicken for more ideas.
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My air fryer is definitely one of my favorite kitchen appliances, as I am countlessly shocked by how much I can make with it. From pretzel bites to baked potatoes (and even a whole chicken), I'm starting to think that there is nothing it can't cook.
This easy shake 'n bake chicken is so delicious; it only uses 3 ingredients and is ready in about 15 minutes. It's a perfect dinner for any day of the week. Make sure you check out the pork version, too, as it is just as tasty!
Whether you use your air fryer all of the time or you're just now opening up the box, make sure you take a look at all of my delicious and easy air fryer recipes!
🥘 Ingredients
Go ahead and stock up on a few boxes of shake & bake, because you'll be whipping up this chicken dish all the time. It really only needs 3 ingredients in total.
- Chicken Breast - 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs.
- Olive Oil - 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) or your preferred cooking oil.
- Shake 'N Bake - 1 cup of shake & bake breading mix. You can use the store-bought version or make your own!
Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!
🔪 How To Make Air Fryer Shake & Bake Chicken
Using your air fryer might be the easiest way to cook chicken perfectly. All you'll need is your air fryer, tongs, a zip-top bag, and a basting brush.
This recipe is for four servings, but you can easily make as much as you like! Just make sure to work in batches, so you don't overcrowd the basket.
- Preheat. Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (195°C).
- Coat. Rinse 1 pound of chicken breast under cold water and then pat them dry with paper towels. Use a basting brush to brush 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) over both sides of the meat.
- Shake. Pour 1 cup of shake & bake breading mix into a large zip-top plastic bag. Add each chicken breast (one at a time) into the bag and zip it closed. Shake until the chicken is fully coated.
- Air fry. Place the breaded chicken into your preheated air fryer and cook at 380°F (195°C) for 12 to 15 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking. They are done when the internal temperature has reached 165°F (74°C).
- Rest. Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
💭 Angela's Pro Tips & Recipe Notes
- I recommend using boneless, skinless chicken breasts, tenderloins, or thighs. However, you can also use bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces like drumsticks, thighs, or breasts, but you'll need to increase the cooking time to approximately 20-25 minutes.
- You don't want to overcrowd the basket of your air fryer, so make sure to keep your chicken in a single layer. Work in batches if needed.
- Flipping the chicken halfway through the cooking time helps to ensure it cooks evenly.
- Your chicken is done cooking when the internal temperature reads 165°F (74°C). Take a look at my post on chicken internal temperatures to learn more.
🥡 Storing & Reheating
Keep any leftovers stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
You can reheat your chicken in either the microwave or the air fryer until heated all the way through.
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❓ Recipe FAQs
This recipe is incredibly versatile and can easily be adapted to whatever type of chicken you like! I recommend using boneless, skinless breasts or thighs for a tasty and quick meal. However, you can also use the air fryer for bone-in pieces of chicken; just be aware that they will take longer to cook (about 20-25 minutes).
Yes, it's recommended to preheat the air fryer for a few minutes before adding the breaded chicken. This ensures the chicken cooks evenly and has a crispy, golden crust!
The cooking time will depend on the size and thickness of your chicken pieces. Bone-in chicken takes longer to cook and typically takes 20-25 minutes. Meanwhile, boneless, skinless chicken breasts or tenders take about 10-15 minutes.
Make sure you always check the internal temperature of the chicken with a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches at least 165°F (74°C) so that you know it is safe to eat.
😋 Best Air Fryer Recipes
- Air Fryer Zucchini Fries - Tender pieces of zucchini have a crispy coating for a healthier alternative to traditional French fries.
- Air Fryer Pancakes - A quick and simple breakfast made completely in the air fryer.
- Air Fryer Duck Legs - Duck legs that are perfectly crisp on the outside and succulent on the inside.
- Air Fryer Biscuits - Fluffy biscuits that can be enjoyed alongside any meal of the day.
- Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp - Jumbo shrimp is coated in Pank breadcrumbs and shredded coconut.
- Air Fryer Grilled Cheese - Perfectly toasted bread and melted cheese are a match made in Heaven.
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📖 Recipe Card
Air Fryer Shake & Bake Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 lbs chicken breast (boneless, skinless, or use chicken thighs)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (extra virgin)
- 1 cup shake & bake breading mix (store-bought or use my homemade recipe)
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (195°C).
- Rinse 1 lbs chicken breast under cold water and then pat them dry with paper towels. Use a basting brush to brush 1 tablespoon olive oil over both sides of the meat.
- Pour 1 cup shake & bake breading mix into a large zip-top plastic bag. Add each chicken breast (one at a time) into the bag and zip it closed. Shake until the chicken is fully coated.
- Place the breaded chicken into your preheated air fryer and cook at 380°F (195°C) for 12 to 15 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking. They are done when the internal temperature has reached 165°F (74°C).
- Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- I recommend using boneless, skinless chicken breasts, tenderloins, or thighs. However, you can also use bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces like drumsticks, thighs, or breasts, but you'll need to increase the cooking time to approximately 20-25 minutes.
- You don't want to overcrowd the basket of your air fryer, so make sure to keep your chicken in a single layer. Work in batches if needed.
- Flipping the chicken halfway through the cooking time helps to ensure it cooks evenly.
- Your chicken is done cooking when the internal temperature reads 165°F (74°C). Take a look at my post on chicken internal temperatures to learn more.
- To store: Keep any leftover shake & bake chicken stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- To reheat: You can reheat your chicken in either the microwave or the air fryer until heated all the way through.
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