Description
Pretzel Chicken with Mustard-Cheddar Sauce is a delicious twist on classic breaded chicken. Tender chicken breasts are coated in a crunchy pretzel crust and baked to golden perfection, then served with a creamy, tangy mustard-cheddar sauce. This recipe combines savory flavors with a satisfying texture for a comforting and flavorful meal perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Breading
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cups coarsely crushed pretzels
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Mustard-Cheddar Sauce
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup milk
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Prepare Chicken: Season the chicken breasts evenly with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder to infuse flavor into the meat.
- Set Up Breading Station: Arrange three bowls—one with flour, one with beaten eggs mixed with 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, and one with crushed pretzels—for an efficient breading process.
- Bread Chicken: Dip each chicken breast first into the flour, coating thoroughly, then into the egg mixture, allowing any excess to drip off. Finally, press the chicken into the crushed pretzels to form a crunchy crust.
- Bake Chicken: Place the breaded chicken breasts on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) and the pretzel crust is golden brown.
- Prepare Mustard-Cheddar Sauce: While the chicken bakes, combine the milk, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir continuously until the mixture is hot.
- Add Cheese: Gradually add shredded cheddar cheese to the saucepan, stirring until melted and smooth. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to your preference and then remove from heat.
- Serve: Allow the baked chicken to rest a few minutes after removing it from the oven, then serve with generous spoonfuls of the warm mustard-cheddar sauce alongside.
Notes
- Ensure the pretzels are coarsely crushed for the best crunchy texture.
- You can substitute milk with a dairy-free alternative for a lactose-free version.
- If desired, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce for a spicy kick.
- Use a meat thermometer to accurately check chicken doneness.
- Leftover chicken is great for sandwiches or salads the next day.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce (approx. 200g)
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
Keywords: pretzel chicken, mustard cheddar sauce, baked chicken, crunchy chicken, easy chicken recipe, savory chicken dish
