ITALIAN SHAKE-N-BAKE CHICKEN

Craving the crispy, savory goodness of classic "shake and bake" chicken, but want to keep it healthy? This paleo Italian Shake and Bake Chicken delivers all the flavor and crunch, without the breadcrumbs or gluten. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that feels indulgent but is totally clean eating approved!

(Instagram Video)

Why we love Italian Shake-N-Bake Chicken:

We love Italian Shake-N-Bake Chicken because it combines the best of both worlds: crispy, flavorful chicken with a healthy twist! The Italian seasoning adds a punch of aromatic herbs and spices, while the almond flour coating gives it that perfect crunch—no breadcrumbs needed. 

Plus, it's incredibly easy to make, making it the ideal weeknight meal that’s both delicious and nutritious. It's a guilt free way to enjoy the classic shake-n-bake goodness, with a paleo friendly spin that satisfies your cravings without sacrificing taste!

Ingredients 

• Almond Flour - Almond flour is naturally gluten-free, making it a perfect alternative for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease. It gives you the crispy texture you crave without any gluten. Almond flour is significantly lower in carbs than gluten free flour blends or breadcrumbs. I use blanched almond flour from Costco.
• Sea Salt - Sea salt has a more complex, delicate flavor compared to regular iodized salt, which can taste overly sharp or artificial. The natural minerals give sea salt a nuanced, rich taste, allowing you to use less while still achieving a burst of flavor. This makes it perfect for seasoning your breading and bringing out the savory, herbaceous notes of the Italian seasoning without overpowering the dish. My favorite and recommended salt is from Redmond. Redmond Sea Salt is unrefined, meaning it retains the natural trace minerals found in seawater, such as magnesium, potassium, and calcium. (code GFMACROS)
• Garlic Powder - Garlic powder brings a concentrated, rich garlic flavor to the breading without the strong pungency of fresh garlic. It infuses the chicken with a savory depth that complements the Italian herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme, enhancing the overall taste profile of the dish. You get the familiar aromatic garlic flavor without the chopping or mincing.
• Onion Powder - Onion powder is packed with a deep, savory flavor that complements the other herbs and spices in your Italian breading. It adds a mild, slightly sweet and earthy taste without the overpowering sharpness of fresh onions, giving your chicken a well-rounded, flavorful crust. It enhances the overall taste. 
• Black Pepper - Black pepper is known for its warm, slightly spicy heat that elevates the flavor of any dish. In your Italian breading, it enhances the savory, herbaceous notes of ingredients like oregano, basil, and garlic powder, while adding a mild kick that makes your chicken more flavorful. It helps balance and round out the overall taste, making your breading more complex and exciting.
• Italian Seasoning - Italian seasoning is a convenient mix of aromatic herbs like oregano, basil, thyme, marjoram, and sometimes rosemaryor sage, which instantly elevate the flavor profile of your chicken. It delivers that classic Italian taste without needing to measure and mix each herb individually. I love using Clean Monday Meals Italian Seasoning. Clean Monday Meals prides itself on using all-natural, unprocessed ingredients in their seasonings. This means you’re avoiding additives, preservatives, and artificial flavor enhancers, making your meal cleaner and more wholesome.  (code GFMACROS)
• Paprika - Adding paprika to your Italian breading for chicken brings more than just a pop of color and flavor—it offers several health benefits as well. Paprika is rich in antioxidants, has anti-inflammatory benefits, and is rich in essential nutrients.
• Chicken Breasts - Chicken is an excellent source of high quality protein, which is essential for muscle growth, repair, and overall body function. Protein plays a vital role in supporting the immune system, maintaining healthy skin, and promoting hair and nail growth. Chicken provides all the essential amino acids your body needs, making it a complete protein source. By using chicken in your Italian Shake and Bake, you’re giving your body the building blocks it needs for optimal health. **You could sub other cuts of chicken such as thighs or tenderloins.
• Cooking spray - One of the main advantages of air frying is achieving a crispy texture without the need for deep frying in a large amount of oil. Cooking spray helps ensure that your chicken gets an even coating of oil, which leads to a crispier and more evenly browned exterior. The spray ensures that the skin or breading on the chicken cooks to perfection, giving you that satisfying crunch without the greasiness.

Make it a meal:

To make this dish a meal, we like to add the following to each plate:

1/4 c @raoshomemade marinara sauce

100g roasted asparagus, lightly salted

90g Yukon gold potatoes

handful of @micosmicrofarm micro broccoli greens

MACROS for the meal:

424 cal | 17g F | 27 g C | 47g P

{ITALIAN SHAKE-N-BAKE CHICKEN}

Serves 4

289 Cal | 13g F | 5g C | 42g P

112g Blanched almond flour 

1 1/2 tsp Sea salt 

1 tsp Garlic powder

1 tsp Onion powder 

2 1/2 tsp @cleanmondaymeals Italian Seasoning 

1/4 tsp Ground black pepper  

1 1/2 tsp Paprika 

24 oz chicken breasts cut into strips 

1) Add almond flour and all of the seasonings to a large bag. Close the bag and shake to mix all of the seasonings together. 

2) Add a few strips of chicken to the bag at a time. Adding too much will make it harder to coat the chicken. 

3) Lay prepared chicken on an airfryer basket. Spray with cooking spray. 

4) Airfry on 425° for 12-15 minutes 

5) Serve as desired. We like to serve with Raos marinara sauce, asparagus and potatoes. 

If you try this recipe, leave a comment and let me know what you think! I also love seeing what you make, please tag me on Instagram! This helps me to create more for each of you!