Shake Up Your Pork Chop Recipe with Chicken Shake ‘n Bake

Weeknight dinners can easily get repetitive and boring Even classics like pork chops start to feel dull when you make them again and again. If you’re looking to add some excitement to your pork while keeping things quick and easy, chicken Shake ‘n Bake might just do the trick.

Shake ‘n Bake is the iconic seasoned breadcrumb coating mix launched back in 1965 Most of us associate it with crispy, flavorful chicken or pork chops straight from the oven. But can you take that same chicken Shake ‘n Bake and use it on pork?

The short answer is yes! Chicken Shake ‘n Bake works wonderfully to coat pork chops before baking. With just a few tweaks, this crave-worthy coating can give your tired old pork chops a major upgrade.

In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about using this classic breading on pork. Let’s shake things up!

What Exactly is Shake ‘n Bake?

For those not familiar, Shake ‘n Bake is a pre-packaged mixture of breadcrumbs, seasonings, and spices specifically designed to coat chicken or pork before baking. Just put your raw meat in a bag with the coating, shake to cover, and bake until golden brown and crispy

The original Shake ‘n Bake seasoning blend contains ingredients like celery seed, black pepper, mustard powder, paprika, turmeric, and more. When coated onto chops or chicken, it forms a crunchy and flavorful crust around the juicy meat.

Shake ‘n Bake first hit the market over 50 years ago and was marketed as a fast and easy alternative to deep frying. It quickly became a staple in many households thanks to its convenience and kid-friendly flavor.

While you can still purchase Shake ‘n Bake at most grocery stores today, many people opt to make easy homemade versions using ingredients they have on hand. The recipes tend to be similar, combining breadcrumbs with common spices and herbs for coating meats.

Why Use Chicken Shake ‘n Bake on Pork?

Using chicken Shake ‘n Bake on pork chops may seem unorthodox, but there are actually some great benefits to giving this versatile coating a try on pork:

It’s Fast and Convenient – No need to gather a big list of ingredients when Shake ‘n Bake is already pre-mixed and ready to go. Making a homemade version is still simple too.

Provides a Crispy Coating – The blend of crumbs and spices bakes up incredibly crispy, giving a nice contrast to the tender pork within.

Infuses Lots of Flavor – Between the seasoning blend and crisp exterior, Shake ‘n Bake really amplifies the flavor of pork.

Kid-Friendly Taste – It likely tastes just like you remember from childhood! The familiar flavor combo is crave-worthy.

Quick Prep – Simply shake chops in the bag, coat, and throw in the oven. Minimal prep or cleanup.

Healthier than Frying – Baking uses less oil than deep frying for a lighter alternative.

So if you’re bored with your usual pork chops, Shake ‘n Bake can revive them with crunch and nostalgic flavor. The only trick is getting the method just right…

How to Use Chicken Shake ‘n Bake on Pork

Using chicken Shake ‘n Bake on pork chops is easy, but there are some important tips to follow for best results:

Adjust Seasoning – While you can use straight out of the box, adding a little extra salt, pepper, garlic powder, etc boosts flavor.

Remember Safe Temps – Pork needs an internal temp of 145°F, so adjust bake times accordingly.

Don’t Overload Bags – One chop per half pouch of coating ensures even coverage.

Really Press in the Coating – Apply pressure so the coating sticks and creates a barrier.

Bake Uncrowded – Arrange chops so they have space, not touching.

Let Rest Before Biting – 5 minute rest allows juices to redistribute for tender, juicy meat.

Here is a simple step-by-step process:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment.

2. Pat pork chops completely dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and pepper.

3. Pour about half a pouch of Shake ‘n Bake into a gallon freezer bag.

4. Add 1 pork chop and seal the bag, pressing out excess air. Shake vigorously to coat all sides.

5. Remove chop from bag, gently shake off excess coating, and place on baking sheet.

6. Repeat process to coat remaining chops. Discard used coating.

7. Optional: Sprinkle extra seasoning like garlic powder onto the coated chops.

8. Bake for 15-25 minutes until pork reaches 145°F internally.

9. Let chops rest 5 minutes before serving. Dig in and enjoy!

The key is getting just the right amount of coating onto each chop and baking long enough to reach safe internal temperatures without drying out. Follow these tips and you’ll have juicy, flavor-packed Shake ‘n Bake pork chops in no time.

Tips for Crispy Perfection

Achieving the ideal crispy yet tender Shake ‘n Bake pork chop takes a little finesse. Keep these handy tips in mind:

• Choose thinner boneless chops around 1⁄2 inch thick for quick, even cooking.

• Chilling chops in the fridge for 30 minutes before breading helps the coating stick better.

• Use fresh, in-date Shake ‘n Bake for optimal crisping. Freezing extends shelf life.

• Don’t open the oven during baking or it can cause the coating to loosen.

• Brush chops lightly with oil before coating to help the breading adhere.

• Coating both sides is important, as is pressing to compact crumbs into an even layer.

• Use nonstick foil or parchment so chops don’t stick. Sticking causes steam which softens the crust.

Follow those guidelines as you’re prepping and baking, and your Shake ‘n Bake pork chops will come out perfectly crispy every time.

Fun Flavor Variations to Try

Part of the fun of using Shake ‘n Bake on pork is experimenting with different seasonings. The coating easily accepts other herbs, spices, cheeses and more.

Why not give one of these flavorful combos a whirl?

• Italian – Oregano, basil, garlic, parmesan

• Southwest – Cumin, chili powder, cayenne, cilantro

• Lemon Pepper – Lemon zest, cracked black pepper

• Ranch – Dill, garlic, onion powder, paprika

• Cheesy – Grated cheddar, parmesan or blue cheese

• Spicy – Cayenne, smoked paprika, ground chipotle

The possibilities are endless for customizing your own signature Shake ‘n Bake pork chops. Have fun with different add-ins to discover new favorite flavors.

Complementary Side Dishes

A sheet pan meal is one of the easiest ways to make Shake ‘n Bake pork chops. Simply add vegetable side dishes right onto the same pan before baking.

Some excellent options include:

• Roasted potatoes – Russets, sweet, or fingerlings work well. Toss in oil, salt, pepper and garlic.

• Roasted carrots – Coat bite-size carrots in oil and seasonings like rosemary or thyme.

• Brussel sprouts – Halved sprouts tossed in olive oil and seasoning roast up nicely.

• Asparagus – Quick cooking and pairs perfectly with pork. Toss spears in oil and lemon.

• Corn on the cob – Brush shucked cobs with melted butter or oil before roasting.

• Squash – Cubed butternut or zucchini, seasoned and oiled makes a quick baked side.

Roasting veggies alongside the breaded pork chops means your entire meal cooks at once for easy one-pan preparation.

Shake and Bake Pork Perfection

Chicken Shake ‘n Bake adds so much flavor and crunch to boring old pork chops. Follow the tips above to completely transform this family classic.

The crisp seasoned coating provides texture and complements the tender, juicy pork beautifully. Baking keeps it lighter than frying too.

Spice up this retro favorite by getting creative with new herbs, spices, cheeses and more in the coating. Pair it with simple roasted veggies, and you’ve got an easy, delicious sheet pan dinner.

So don’t settle for plain old pork chops one more night. Break out that classic Shake ‘n Bake flavor and give this simple trick a try. Your tastebuds and family will thank you!