Pretzel-Crusted Chicken with Mustard-Cheddar Sauce Recipe
Pretzel Chicken with Mustard-Cheddar Sauce is a crispy, flavorful dish featuring tender chicken breasts coated in crushed pretzels and baked to golden perfection. Served with a rich and creamy mustard-cheddar sauce, this recipe combines tangy, cheesy, and crunchy textures for a delightful meal that’s perfect for family dinners or special occasions.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Total Time: 40-45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 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 cup mustard-cheddar sauce (see instructions to prepare)
- 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 easy cleanup.
- Prepare Chicken: Season the chicken breasts evenly with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder to infuse them with robust flavor before breading.
- Set Up Breading Station: Arrange three shallow bowls: put the all-purpose flour in the first bowl, beat the eggs with 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard in the second bowl, and place the coarsely crushed pretzels in the third bowl.
- Bread Chicken: Thoroughly coat each chicken breast by first dipping it into the flour, covering it entirely. Then immerse the chicken in the egg mixture, allowing any excess to drip off. Finally, press the chicken into the pretzels to ensure a sticky, crisp crust adheres well.
- Bake Chicken: Place the breaded chicken breasts on the prepared baking sheet. Bake them in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) and the pretzel crust is golden brown and crispy.
- Prepare Mustard-Cheddar Sauce: While the chicken bakes, warm ½ cup milk in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard and 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce until the mixture is heated through.
- Add Cheese: Gradually add the shredded cheddar cheese to the warm milk mixture, stirring continuously until the cheese melts smoothly into a creamy sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat once the sauce is glossy and well combined.
- Serve: When the chicken is fully cooked, remove it from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes to retain juices. Serve the pretzel-crusted chicken breasts drizzled with or alongside the warm mustard-cheddar sauce for a satisfying and flavorful meal.
Notes
- Coarsely crush the pretzels to maintain a crunchy texture that contrasts nicely with the tender chicken.
- Ensure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (75°C) for safe consumption.
- Let the chicken rest after baking to keep it juicy and tender.
- This recipe can be doubled for larger servings and pairs well with a green salad or roasted vegetables.
- Use gluten-free pretzels and flour to make this recipe gluten-free if desired.
Keywords: Pretzel Chicken, Mustard-Cheddar Sauce, Baked Chicken, Crunchy Chicken Recipe, Easy Dinner, Chicken Breast, Cheddar Cheese Sauce
