Tastes From Home

Copycat "Shake N Bake" Chicken Bites w/Spicy Plum Sauce

Who remembers “Shake 'N Bake?”

If you grew up in the 70s when convenience foods were all the rage, I bet your Mom used "Shake 'N Bake" to prepare chicken and "YOU HELPED!" I know I did! I loved being the one that got to shake the bag filled with chicken pieces! It was fun and the result was some of the tastiest chicken to grace our table.

I think it's time to bring this retro yummy taste back. I've taken everything I loved about the original recipe and added a zesty bite. The result is a chicken that's crunchy, juicy and ready in about 30 minutes.

Enjoy this easy dish anytime from a simple dinner at home or on a picnic anywhere.

Makes Approximately 4 Servings

The Coating Mixture

1½ Cups Panko Breadcrumbs
3 Tablespoons Cornmeal
1 Tablespoon Cornstarch
2 Tablespoons Flour
1½ Tablespoons Sleepers Pure Paleo seasoning
1½ Tablespoons Sleepers Fowl seasoning
1 Teaspoon Dry Mustard Powder, optional

In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients and mix together well. Store in an airtight container.

Note: This recipe will give you enough breading to coat several batches of chicken. Just be sure to measure out the proportion of coating needed before handling the meat to avoid cross contamination.

Spicy Plum Sauce

½ Cup Your Favorite BBQ Sauce
1½ Tablespoons Plum Pepper Punch Jam
1 Teaspoon The Original Seasoning
½ Teaspoon Fresh Lime Juice

In a small bowl, mix all ingredients together and set aside.

Preparing The Chicken Bites

½ Cup Breading Mixture*
1½ Pounds Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts, cut into strips or chunks *
3 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter, melted

Preheat oven to 400º
Measure ½ Cup Coating Mixture into a shallow bowl.
Wet chicken pieces with water, drain well and place one piece at a time into the bowl shaking and thoroughly coating each chicken piece.
Place coated pieces onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Do not crowd the pieces. They will crisp much better if there is space between them.
Once all pieces are coated, discard any coating mixture that's left over. Then, drizzle each piece with melted butter to maximize the browning and crisping.
Place in the oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes. Check the pieces and flip over and bake for another 5-10 minutes.
When golden brown, remove from the oven and let rest about 5 minutes. The pieces will continue to crisp and are much better when warm than hot.

Serve with the spicy plum dip or a robust mustard.

Make it a complete meal with your favorite veggies, dip and brownies for a complete meal.

NOTES

* If preparing a larger amount of chicken, you will need more of the coating mixture. Remember to remove the amount you need from the larger batch before you start handling meat using a clean, dry measuring cup. Do NOT risk food poisoning with cross contamination.

* Feel free to substitute bone-in chicken. Adjust cooking time accordingly baking to an internal temperature of 165º.
* Try with pork chops too! Follow instructions as above and bake chops to an internal temperature of 145º.

Join Christina as she makes her Copycat "Shake N Bake" Chicken Bites Live on Facebook