This Old-School Boxed Ingredient Gives Chicken Tenders A Major Flavor Boost

If you want to give chicken tenders an old-school, flavor-filled switch up, reach for Shake 'n Bake the next time you make the dish at home. The classic boxed mix has been around for decades and the Shake 'n Bake method for cooking meat is as easy as one, two, three. Despite its simplicity, the flavor of the Original Recipe version of the coating is uniquely and appealingly savory. Thanks to ingredients like paprika, celery seed, and onion powder, it's satisfying, delicious, and provides a great alternative for those who don't want to spend hours messing with a hot stove deep-frying your tenders.

Making the best chicken tenders with Shake 'n Bake is an easy enough endeavor. You just shake the mix up with your tenders, place it in a greased pan and bake until done. But if you're in the mood, you can add extra spices and dried herbs to your classic chicken tenders mix, throw in curry powder and taco seasoning if you like them spicy, or even do a traditional egg wash before baking or air frying your tenders.

Shake 'n Bake offers up several flavors beyond its basic Original Recipe blend, if you're hungry for something different from the same-old, same-old. The brand sells Parmesan Crusted, Ranch & Herb, Crispy Buffalo, Extra Crispy, and Crunchy Pretzel toppings to add to a meat of your choice. They even sell boxes of BBQ Glaze, if you don't want to fuss with a grill but crave a little summertime sunshine on your dinner plate.

Baby boomers grew up on dishes like Shake 'n Bake oven fried chicken — just mention the iconic slogan "it's Shake 'n Bake, and I helped" to them and watch their eyes light up. But younger generations still have fond memories of shaking up chicken too. When it comes to using it for chicken tenders, Reddit users have plenty of tips and praise for Shake 'n Bake and the chicken they make with it.

"I just made it last night. One of the meals everyone in my family will eat," one user wrote. Over on r/cookingforbeginners, Redditors offered up advice for first-time Shake 'n Bake users when someone posted looking for tips to turn up the flavor on their chicken. "Add a few splashes of [Tabasco] sauce into the egg wash. Add a few shakes of garlic powder and cayenne powder to the dry Shake and Bake mix," one poster suggested. "Brining it first makes all the difference and doesn't take much effort. A handful of salt and some water. Leave it for at least 15 minutes. I do an hour or two in the fridge. Then pay dry and cook as usual," another offered. 

No matter what you add into the mix — or which dipping sauce you choose to pair with the final product — there's no denying that a little Shake 'n Bake will make your life easier and make your taste buds happy.