No need to fry when you use our homemade shake and bake recipe for pork chops or chicken breasts. The outsides will be crispy and the insides will be juicy.
Shake and bake pork chops are a delicious and easy weeknight dinner. The crispy coating and tender juicy pork makes this classic dish irresistible. But can you use a chicken shake and bake recipe on pork instead? The short answer is yes you absolutely can use shake and bake for chicken on pork chops with great results!
In this complete guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to make shake and bake pork chops using a chicken shake and bake recipe, including:
- Why chicken shake and bake works well on pork
- Tips for coating pork chops in chicken shake and bake
- How to modify the chicken shake and bake ingredients for pork
- Cooking instructions for shake and bake pork chops
- A homemade chicken shake and bake recipe you can use on pork
Why Chicken Shake and Bake Works on Pork
Most chicken shake and bake recipes are versatile enough to also be used on pork chops. Here’s why:
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Similar lean protein: Chicken and pork are both lean sources of protein. When coated in crispy breadcrumbs, they can achieve a similar texture.
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Spices like garlic, onion, paprika, oregano, and others that are used in chicken shake-and-bake go well with this type of flavor. pair well with the flavor of pork.
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Same cooking method Chicken and pork chops are cooked using the same baking method at a similar temperature and time
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No ingredients that are only good for pork: There are no ingredients in chicken shake and bake that won’t work or would taste bad on pork.
So while many shake and bake recipes are specifically formulated for chicken, the seasonings and technique translate perfectly when making shake and bake pork chops.
How to Coat Pork Chops in Chicken Shake and Bake
Here are some easy steps to coat pork chops in a chicken shake and bake recipe:
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Prepare the shake and bake mix: Combine the breadcrumbs, spices and seasonings in a zip top bag. Add a bit of oil and shake to distribute.
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Lightly wet pork chops: Dip each chop in water or milk, letting excess drip off. This helps the coating stick.
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Add chops to bag: One at a time, add chops to the bag and shake to fully coat each piece.
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Use up leftover coating: Any leftover coating in the bag can be sprinkled on top of the chops before baking.
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Bake until cooked: Arrange coated chops on a baking sheet. Bake at 425°F until cooked through and coating is crispy, about 18-25 minutes.
Be sure to thoroughly coat each pork chop so the crispy breading seals in the juices. Shake off any excess before baking.
How to Modify Chicken Shake and Bake for Pork
While chicken shake and bake recipes work great on pork as is, you may want to tweak the seasonings slightly:
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Reduce salt: Some chicken shake and bake recipes are high in sodium. Reduce salt by 25-50% for pork.
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Increase sage and thyme: These herbs pair especially well with pork’s flavor profile. Add a tsp or more.
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Add brown sugar: A teaspoon of brown sugar can enhance the pork flavor.
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Increase garlic and onion powders: Boosting these aromatics compliments pork. Add an extra 1/4 to 1/2 tsp.
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Use smoked paprika: For a smokier flavor, use smoked instead of regular paprika.
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Skip lemon flavors: Lemon pepper and zest flavors are best suited for chicken.
With just a few simple seasoning modifications like these, you can customize a chicken shake and bake recipe to be just right for pork chops.
Cooking Shake and Bake Pork Chops
To ensure your shake and bake pork chops turn out juicy and delicious, follow these tips:
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Get 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick chops: Thinner chops can dry out, thicker may not cook through.
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Do a crumb coating: Dip chops in milk first so the coating adheres better.
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Completely coat chops: Shake each chop individually in the bag to fully seal in juices.
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Bake at 425°F: This high heat helps pork cook through while keeping coating crispy.
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Cook 18-25 minutes: Cook times vary based on thickness. Use a meat thermometer for accuracy.
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Don’t cover while baking: Uncovered lets excess moisture escape for a crispier crust.
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Let rest 5 minutes: Before serving, letting chops rest helps them stay juicy.
Follow these steps and your homemade shake and bake pork chops will come out of the oven perfectly cooked with a crispy, flavorful crust every time.
Homemade Shake and Bake Recipe for Pork
To easily make shake and bake pork chops at home using ingredients you likely have on hand, try this delicious homemade recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1⁄2 tsp sage
- 1⁄2 tsp thyme
- 1⁄4 tsp black pepper
- 1⁄4 cup vegetable oil
- 6 (3/4-inch thick) boneless pork chops
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients except pork chops and oil in a gallon zip top bag.
- Shake bag to mix seasoning. Add oil and shake again to distribute evenly.
- Dip pork chops in milk, letting excess drip off. Add to bag with shake and bake mix.
- Shake bag to coat chops fully. Use any leftover coating to sprinkle on top.
- Place on a baking sheet. Bake at 425°F for 20-25 minutes until cooked through.
- Let rest 5 minutes before serving crispy shake and bake pork chops.
This easy homemade chicken shake and bake recipe adapted for pork results in tender, juicy pork chops with a super crisp, flavorful coating using simple pantry ingredients. Shake things up at dinnertime by using this quick recipe to make delicious shake and bake pork chops or chicken.
Frequently Asked Questions about Shake and Bake Pork Chops
Here are some common questions about making shake and bake pork chops using a chicken shake and bake recipe:
Can I use the exact same chicken shake and bake recipe on pork?
Yes, you can use a chicken shake and bake recipe on pork chops as is. However, you may want to tweak seasonings like salt content to optimize flavor for pork.
Do I need to modify cook times or temperatures for pork?
No. Follow the same bake times and 425°F temperature for shake and bake pork chops as you would for chicken. Cook to an internal temperature of 145°F.
Should I cut slits in pork chops before shaking and baking?
Cutting slits is optional. It may help seasonings permeate thicker chops but thin chops don’t require it.
Can I use boneless or bone-in pork chops?
You can use either bone-in or boneless chops. Boneless may cook slightly faster. Adjust bake times as needed.
Can I make shake and bake pork chops in the air fryer?
Yes! Coat chops as directed then air fry at 400°F for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway, until 145°F internal temperature.
How long does homemade shake and bake coating last?
Store any extra homemade shake and bake mix in an airtight container for 2-3 months.
Conclusion
Repurposing a chicken shake and bake recipe to make crispy, flavorful shake and bake pork chops is easy and delicious. With just a few tweaks to the seasoning and following the right baking method, you can enjoy this American classic using ingredients you likely have on hand. Crisp up some shake and bake pork chops tonight for an easy and tasty weeknight meal the whole family will devour.
A Simple, DIY Homemade Shake and Bake Recipe
You can always find Kraft’s classic boxed Shake ‘N Bake mix in the kitchen, but we like to do things our own way. Why? Well, because our homemade shake and bake recipe is just, well, better! Homemade is always better. If you want a super crispy shake-and-bake chicken or a tender, juicy shake-and-bake pork (BTW, if you haven’t tried shake-and-bake pork yet, you should!), our homemade herby breadcrumb mixture will blow you away! It’s so easy to make, and you can even make double, triple, or even quadruple batches and keep them on hand for quick and easy crispy chicken dinners! For more pork recipe ideas, check out our list of the Best Pork Recipes!
Everything You’ll Need to Make A Homemade Shake and Bake Mixture
At the bottom of the page is the full recipe. It suggests chicken breasts, chicken tenders, or pork chops as the meat. But for now, let’s just talk about the shake-and-bake ingredients that go into the coating! The coating is basically just seasoned breadcrumbs; it’s not fancy at all. To the herbs, you can add any three of them, or you can use the ones you have on hand. This is a very simple recipe. If you only have dried parsley, that’s fine. If you have all three, use a mix of them. You can also make a big batch of the seasoned breadcrumbs ahead of time and keep them on hand for an even easier shake and bake night. Without further ado, here are our of shake and bake mix ingredients:
- Breadcrumbs
- Salt
- Sugar
- Paprika
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Black pepper
- Dried basil, oregano or parsley