Plain Breadcrumbs

• Plain, dry, packaged breadcrumbs seasoned with salt and pepper create a classic crust for fried chicken. You can add spice to the coating with a few sprinkles of cayenne pepper, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder or onion powder. For a baked chicken treat, mix the breadcrumbs with crushed, crispy bacon and some finely grated cheddar cheese.

Seasoned Breadcrumbs

• Most brands of commercially sold breadcrumbs come in plain and Italian-style varieties. The dried herbs and seasonings in Italian breadcrumbs typically include onion and garlic powder, paprika, dried Romano cheese, dehydrated parsley, celery seed, salt and pepper, all of which add zest to oven-baked chicken. Boneless chicken parts coated with Italian-style breadcrumbs are appetizing served with marinara sauce for dipping.

Panko Breadcrumbs

• Panko breadcrumbs originated in Japan. They are much coarser than their American counterparts and create a crispy exterior on baked chicken similar to tempura batter. Mix equal amounts of Panko breadcrumbs and crushed peanuts or grated hard cheese such as Parmesan, pecorino or asiago to give chicken extra flavor and crunchiness.

Fresh Breadcrumbs

• If you prefer a softer coating for oven-baked chicken, use fresh breadcrumbs. Let the white, wheat or French bread dry out for an hour or two so it doesn't get gummy when processed. Remove the crusts and chop the bread in a blender or food processor until it reaches the desired consistency. Season it with salt, pepper and your favorite dried herbs before coating the chicken.

Alternative Coatings

• Many pantry items make tasty baked-chicken coatings. Potato flakes or instant mashed potato mix is a good coating, especially when spiked with grated cheese. You can also use crushed potato chips, corn chips or plantain chips. Crushed bran-flake cereal is a healthy chicken coating, and crushed, salted pretzels add a unique flavor to baked chicken. Chicken coated with finely chopped pecans or coconut makes an elegant entree.