Easy Shakin’ Breaded Drumsticks & Cheesy Broccoli Rice Bake
The days of store-bought shake and bake kits are over – this recipe calls for ingredients that most families already have in their pantry! Dinner and clean up is easy, so your family can enjoy all of the crispy goodness of this healthier “fried” chicken. And what better dish to pair your “fried” chicken with than a bowl of cheesy broccoli rice? It cooks at the same temperate as the chicken, helping you get a complete meal on the table without a lot of fuss.
Nutrition Tip: Broccoli is a naturally good source of folate, a B vitamin that is vital for the production of red blood cells and for preventing folate-deficiency anemia.
The Shake n’ Bake Of Old
In the 1960s, when homemakers were looking for faster ways of cooking, people would literally shake and bake their food. Shake ‘N Bake is a brand of seasoned bread crumb coating first created and marketed as a blend for seasonings and breading that would simulate the supposed taste and texture of Southern fried chicken. General Foods created in the blend in 1965, and the product is still being distributed under the Kraft Heinz label.
This was a popular method of cooking whereby you place a piece of meat into a bag with the seasoning and breading blend and you would shake it until the meat was coated. When the brand was created, originally it was only intended to be used for chicken, but today the brand caters to pork and other meats as well.
That idea is what inspired this recipe for Easy Shakin’ Breaded Drumsticks & Cheesy Broccoli Rice Bake.
Shake And Bake Your Own Blend!
Simple ingredients of breadcrumbs, oil, paprika, sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning are added to a gallon-size zip top bag, and shaken to be combined. Then, just like the original Shake ‘N Bake method of cooking, you drop in chicken drumsticks and shake them in the blend to coat them.
After that, well, you bake them! So simple, and yet the flavor profile is absolutely delicious. Unlike its branded counterpart, however, you don’t have to worry about additives and preservatives in this shakable blend. Every ingredient is easy to read and pronounce, and even tastier than the original!
Why we love this Easy Shakin’ Breaded Drumsticks Recipe
The best part is you can add additional ingredients to flavor it in any way you like! So you can call it “shake and bake,” but know that it’s much better than the original!
And, when we refer to our easy shakin’ breaded drumsticks, you know it’s going to be easy, and incredibly delicious. If that wasn’t enough, you’ll also love the fact that this dish comes with a side perfect for making a complete meal. Our cheesy broccoli rice is so tasty alongside the chicken you’ll wonder why you didn’t make this sooner.
So next time you are in a hurry, remember that you can always just shake and bake your food! But, don’t grab the store-bought stuff because you can make your own just as fast, and it will taste much better. Enjoy!
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Easy Shakin’ Breaded Drumsticks & Cheesy Broccoli Rice Bake
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup seasoned whole wheat breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons plus 1 Tbsp. olive oil, divided
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 12 skinless chicken drumsticks
- 1 1/2 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups finely chopped broccoli florets
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup shredded lowfat Cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Line large baking sheet with foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
- Mix breadcrumbs, 2 Tbsp. oil, paprika, sugar, garlic powder, onion powder and Italian seasoning in gallon-size zip top bag. Shake well to mix.
- Moisten drumsticks with water and add 6 at a time to the bag. Shake well to coat. Remove from bag and place on baking sheet. Repeat with remaining drumsticks. Discard any leftover breading.
- Bake 40-45 minutes or until internal temperatures reach 165°F and outsides are brown and crispy.
- Meanwhile, combine rice, broccoli, 1 Tbsp. oil and salt in medium sauce pan. Add 2¾ cups boiling water.
- Cover and bake alongside drumsticks 35 minutes, or until rice is tender and water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and gently stir in cheese.
Nutrition
More recipes to try:
Healthy Chicken Alfredo with Broccoli