Description

Pretzel Chicken with Mustard-Cheddar Sauce is a crispy, flavorful dish featuring tender chicken breasts coated in a crunchy pretzel crust and baked to perfection. Served with a creamy, tangy mustard-cheddar sauce, this recipe combines savory textures and rich flavors, making it an excellent choice for a comforting weeknight dinner or special occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken

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

For the 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 for easy cleanup.
Prepare Chicken: Season the chicken breasts evenly with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder to enhance their natural flavor.
Set Up Breading Station: Arrange three bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs mixed with Dijon mustard, and one with crushed pretzels. This setup will help achieve an even coating on the chicken.
Bread Chicken: Coat each chicken breast first in the flour, shaking off excess, then dip into the egg mixture allowing extra to drip off, and finally press into the crushed pretzels until well covered to create a crispy crust.
Bake Chicken: Place the breaded chicken breasts on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) and the crust is golden and crunchy.
Prepare Mustard-Cheddar Sauce: While chicken bakes, heat milk, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring frequently until warm.
Add Cheese: Gradually add shredded cheddar cheese to the warm mixture, stirring continuously until the cheese melts smoothly. Season with salt and pepper to your preference, then remove from heat.
Serve: Once the chicken is cooked, remove from oven and let rest for a few minutes. Serve topped with the creamy mustard-cheddar sauce for a delicious combination.

Notes

For extra crispiness, use freshly crushed pretzels rather than pretzel crumbs.
Ensure chicken breasts are of even thickness for uniform cooking; pound them lightly if needed.
Feel free to adjust the amount of mustard in the egg mixture and sauce to suit your taste preferences.
This dish pairs well with a fresh green salad or roasted vegetables for a balanced meal.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently to maintain crispness.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce (approx. 200g)
Calories: 450
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 650mg
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 28g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 35g
Cholesterol: 110mg

Keywords: pretzel chicken, mustard cheddar sauce, baked chicken, crispy chicken, easy dinner, comfort food