Our most popular recipe on Momma Braga for several years has been Nikki’s Shake ’N Bake Chicken Wings — a true community favourite that continues to shine. As we grow, experiment, and evolve in our kitchen, it felt like the perfect moment to elevate this beloved classic. This time, we swapped wings for chicken thighs, and the results were exceptional.
Instead of using the oven, we turned to the air fryer, and it delivered beautifully. The thighs came out juicy and tender on the inside, with a crisp, golden exterior that gave our Shake ’N Bake tradition a whole new level of deliciousness. Nikki absolutely loved the upgrade, so we’re officially declaring our Shake ’N Bake game stronger than ever.
Below are the instructions — and remember, air fryer temperatures may vary, so adjust as needed for your appliance.
Nikki’s Shake ‘n Bake Chicken Thighs
Let us “shake” up family dinner!
Ingredients:
Directions
- First, defrost chicken thighs the night before. Once they are defrosted, wash each one with water. Place them in a bowl once cleaned.
- Then, depending on your air fryer, spray the bottom of each drawer or cooking basket with olive oil spray. Place it aside.
- Next, take the Shake ‘n Bake box and open it. We use a ziploc bag to put the shake ‘n bake inside.
- Then, take one chicken thigh at a time and put it in the ziploc bag and shake. Then place it in the air fryer. Repeat this step until all thighs are covered.
- Next, use the bake setting for the air fryer, set it to 325 degrees F for 15 minutes.
- Then, once it beeps, flip them with tongs to the other side for another 15 minutes. We usually add another 7 minutes afterwards after turning them once more.
- Finally, take the chicken thighs out of the air fryer with tongs and place them in a serving bowl. Let the thighs cool down and then serve.
These 7 easy steps will get you eating yummy chicken thighs in no time. There are all sorts of sides you can eat with this meal and one that Nikki usually picks is my Portuguese style rice. But any side will do.
Momma Braga Final Thoughts
Food has a beautiful way of growing with us. What started as a simple family favourite has now become a new memory, a new flavour, and a new moment shared together. As Nikki continues to explore her love for cooking, and as we continue to nurture these traditions, I’m reminded that the best recipes aren’t just made in the kitchen — they’re made in the heart.
Here’s to new twists, new tastes, and the joy of creating meals that bring us closer, one delicious bite at a time.
Until next time…Happy Parenting!
~ Momma Braga
