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This air fryer shake and bake chicken is a simple and delicious dinner that everyone will love. With just a few basic ingredients, or using a pre-packaged seasoning mix, you will get perfectly crispy, flavorful chicken every time.
You will love this juicy, flavorful chicken made with just a handful of simple ingredients. It’s a quick and delicious dinner that any chicken lover will enjoy, ready in just minutes.
Along with classics like Air Fryer Chicken Breast and Air Fryer Chicken Wings, this is a recipe you’ll find yourself making on repeat. The crispy coating makes every bite delicious, like this air fryer Nashville Hot Chicken recipe. Homemade meals are always a win, and with minimal prep time, this dish is perfect for a busy weeknight dinner or a quick workday lunch.
Ingredients You Will Need
- boneless skinless chicken breasts, about 6-8 ounces each- the base of this recipe, making a delicious meal full of protein. Any type of chicken pieces can be used!
- mayonnaise– helps the coating stick to the chicken while also making each bite juicy and tender.
- shake and bake packet– adds seasoning and crisp to your chicken.
If you are looking for more dinner ideas, check out this article where we share our favorite top 50 air fryer chicken recipes.
Homemade Shake and Bake Breading Ingredients
If you can’t find a box mix, you can make your own breaded coating. Just coat your chicken in the mayo, and then toss with this mix:
- 1 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Variations
- Skip the Mayo: Use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise. This will still keep the chicken moist, and will help the seasonings stick.
- Optional spices: If you want an extra kick of flavor, add a pinch of chili powder, celery salt or onion powder to your spice mix.
- Optional dipping sauce: Make a cayenne ranch sauce, buffalo wing sauce or an Asian-style sauce. They will all add an extra boost of flavor to every chicken bite.
How to Make Shake and Bake Chicken in Air Fryer
STEP 1: Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board or baking tray and pat them dry with paper towels. Then set aside.
STEP 2: Pour the Shake and Bake coating (or homemade version) into a large Ziploc bag.
STEP 3: Lightly coat both sides of the chicken breasts with mayonnaise to help the coating adhere.
STEP 4: Place the coated chicken breasts into the bag with the breadcrumbs and seasoning. Seal the bag or fold over if using a bag, and then shake until the chicken is full coated, with no dry spots.
STEP 5: Prepare the air fryer basket by lightly spraying it with nonstick cooking spray or lining it with air fryer parchment paper.
STEP 6: Place each coated chicken breast into the air fryer basket in a single layer. Be sure they don’t overlap or they may not cook evenly. Air fry at 380°F (193°C) for 15-18 minutes, depending on the thickness of your chicken.
STEP 7: Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C). If using thicker chicken breasts, they may require extra cooking time.
STEP 8: Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!
I make this dish in my Cosori 5.8 qt. air fryer. Depending on your air fryer size and wattage cook time may need to be adjusted 1-2 minutes.
Tips
- Pat the chicken dry first: Use a paper towel to pat each piece. This will help the mayonnaise and coating stick better for a crispier crust.
- Shake the chicken well in the bag: Shake the seasoning with the chicken until every spot on the chicken is coated. This will helps every bite have a crunch.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer. Arrange the chicken in a single layer with space between each piece so hot air can circulate and cook the chicken evenly.
- Check the internal temperature. Always use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) before serving.
- Let the chicken rest before serving. This helps the juices redistribute, keeping the meat tender and flavorful.
- For extra crispiness, flip halfway through. If you want an even crunchier texture, flip the chicken halfway through cooking time.
FAQ’S
Yes! Although I like chicken breasts for this recipe, you can use any type of pieces of chicken. If you do use pieces like wings, just remember if different cuts of chicken are all smaller than a chicken breast so cooking times will vary.
If you do have leftovers, first let them cool. Then put them in a Ziploc bag or airtight container. If refrigerating place in a regular storage bag or tightly sealed container for 3-4 days.
More Easy Dinner Recipes
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Air Fryer Shake and Bake Chicken
Equipment
- 1 Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, about 6 ounces each
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1 shake and bake seasoning packet
Optional: Make Your Own Homemade Shake and Bake Seasonings
- 1 cup Italian Seasoned Breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Place chicken on cutting board or baking tray and pat dry with paper towels. Set aside.
- Pour shake and bake packet or homemade coating into a brown paper bag or large Ziploc bag.
- Coat both sides of boneless chicken breasts with mayonnaise so the coating will adhere to the chicken.
- Place chicken into bag with seasonings. Seal or fold over top of bag and shake the chicken in coating mixture until each chicken piece is completely covered without any dry spots showing.
- Prepare the air fryer basket by lightly spraying it with a nonstick cooking spray or line with air fryer parchment paper. Place each piece of chicken into the basket in a single layer and air fryer at 380 degrees F for 15-18 minutes, depending on the thickness.
- Use a meat thermometer to make sure chicken is cooked through. Internal temperature for a chicken breast should be 165 degrees F. Thicker chicken breasts will require additional cooking time. Let chicken rest for a few minutes prior to serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
do you need to turn the chicken over half way through cook time?
I use a Cosori dual blaze now and it has a heating element on the top and the bottom. But if yours doesn’t, I recommend you flip it over so it can cook evenly.
Delicious quick and easy with cleanup being minimal.
What is the mayonnaise for?
You coat the chicken with mayo to keep it moist, and to keep the shake and bake adhered to the chicken. 🙂