Pretzel Crusted Chicken
This dish transforms simple chicken breasts into a gourmet meal with a crispy pretzel coating and creamy mustard-cheddar sauce, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Core Ingredients
- 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz each)
- 2 cups pretzels, finely crushed
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- to taste Salt and pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil or butter (for cooking)
Mustard-Cheddar Sauce
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp honey
- to taste Salt and pepper
Instructions
Preparation
- Step 1 – Crush and Prepare Pretzels: Use a food processor to crush pretzels into fine crumbs, slightly coarser than breadcrumbs.
- Step 2 – Prep the Chicken Breast: Pat chicken breasts dry and season with salt, pepper, and paprika. Lightly dredge each breast in flour.
Cooking
- Step 3 – Coat and Bake (or Fry): Dip each floured chicken breast into beaten eggs, then roll in crushed pretzels until fully coated.
- Baking option: Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes.
- Pan-frying option: Heat olive oil in a skillet and cook for 4–5 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Step 4 – Prepare the Mustard-Cheddar Sauce: Melt butter, whisk in flour, cook for 1 minute, then gradually add milk. Stir in cheddar cheese, mustard, and honey, and cook until thickened.
Serving
- Step 5 – Serve and Garnish: Serve pretzel chicken with a drizzle of mustard-cheddar sauce and sprinkle with fresh parsley.
Notes
Tips for healthier substitutes: Bake instead of fry to reduce fat. Use whole-grain pretzels for added fiber. Replace cheddar with Greek yogurt-based mustard sauce for fewer calories.
