Savory Pretzel Chicken with Cheddar Mustard Sauce Recipe

Introduction

Savory Pretzel Chicken is a delightful twist on classic breaded chicken, featuring a crunchy pretzel coating and a rich mustard-cheddar sauce. This recipe combines bold flavors and textures that make it perfect for a comforting family dinner or a special occasion.

Ingredients

• 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
• ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup milk
• 1 cup mustard-cheddar sauce (see below)

Mustard-Cheddar Sauce Ingredients:

• ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup milk
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Season the chicken breasts evenly with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
2. Step 2: Prepare three bowls for coating: one with flour, one with beaten eggs mixed with Dijon mustard, and one with crushed pretzels.
3. Step 3: Coat each chicken breast first in the flour, then dip into the egg and mustard mixture, and finally press firmly into the crushed pretzels to fully cover.
4. Step 4: Place the coated chicken breasts on a baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked and the coating is golden brown.
5. Step 5: To make the mustard-cheddar sauce, warm the milk in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and smooth.
6. Step 6: Add Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper to the cheese mixture. Stir well until the sauce is creamy and combined.
7. Step 7: Serve the baked pretzel chicken hot, drizzled generously with the mustard-cheddar sauce.

Tips & Variations

• For extra crispiness, toast the crushed pretzels lightly before coating the chicken.
• Try swapping cheddar for pepper jack cheese in the sauce for a spicy kick.
• Use chicken thighs instead of breasts if you prefer juicier meat.
• Add a pinch of smoked paprika to the pretzel coating for a smoky flavor.

Storage

Store leftover pretzel chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a 350°F (175°C) oven to retain crispiness, or microwave briefly if in a hurry. Keep the mustard-cheddar sauce separate and warm it on the stove before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and use gluten-free pretzels to make this recipe suitable for a gluten-free diet.

Is the mustard-cheddar sauce necessary?

While the chicken is delicious on its own, the mustard-cheddar sauce adds a creamy, tangy complement that enhances the savory flavors of the pretzel coating and chicken.

Savory Pretzel Chicken with Cheddar Mustard Sauce Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 133 reviews

Savory Pretzel Chicken is a crunchy and flavorful baked chicken dish with a crispy pretzel crust and a rich, tangy mustard-cheddar sauce. Perfectly seasoned and baked to juicy perfection, it combines the saltiness of pretzels with melted cheddar and a zesty mustard glaze for a deliciously satisfying meal.

• Author: Maya
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

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
• ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup milk

Mustard-Cheddar Sauce

• ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup milk
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the chicken to a crispy, golden crust.
2. Season Chicken: Season the boneless, skinless chicken breasts with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder evenly on both sides to infuse flavor.
3. Prepare Coating Bowls: Set up three separate bowls: one with all-purpose flour, one with beaten eggs mixed with 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, and one with the coarsely crushed pretzels.
4. Coat Chicken: Dredge each chicken breast first in flour, shaking off excess; then dip into the egg and mustard mixture; finally press firmly into the crushed pretzels to coat completely for a crunchy topping.
5. Bake Chicken: Place the coated chicken breasts on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and is cooked through with a crispy pretzel crust.
6. Make Mustard-Cheddar Sauce: While the chicken bakes, heat ½ cup milk in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring in ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese until melted and smooth.
7. Add Sauce Ingredients: Stir in 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, and season with salt and pepper. Keep stirring until the sauce is well combined and creamy.
8. Serve: Remove the baked chicken from the oven and serve hot with the mustard-cheddar sauce drizzled over the top for a rich and tangy finish.

Notes

• For extra crispiness, you can spray the coated chicken lightly with cooking spray before baking.
• Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is cooked to a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
• Substitute pretzels with gluten-free pretzels if a gluten-free version is desired.
• This dish pairs wonderfully with steamed vegetables or a fresh green salad.
• Leftover sauce can be refrigerated and gently reheated for serving later.

Keywords: pretzel chicken, savory chicken recipe, baked chicken breasts, mustard cheddar sauce, crispy chicken