Description
Juicy Pretzel Chicken with Mustard-Cheddar Sauce Bliss is a delicious and satisfying baked chicken dish featuring tender, boneless chicken breasts coated in a crunchy mixture of crushed soft pretzels and panko breadcrumbs. Baked to golden perfection, the chicken is served with a rich and creamy mustard-cheddar sauce that adds a tangy and cheesy complement to every bite. Perfect for a flavorful family dinner or a special gathering, this recipe combines crispy textures with bold, comforting flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cups crushed soft pretzels
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Olive oil, for drizzling
Mustard-Cheddar Sauce
- 1/2 cup Dijon mustard
- 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and facilitate easy cleanup.
- Set up Coating Stations: Prepare three bowls: one with beaten eggs seasoned with salt and pepper, the second with a mixture of crushed pretzels and panko breadcrumbs, and an empty third bowl if needed for dipping your hands or chicken pieces.
- Coat the Chicken: Dip each chicken breast into the egg mixture, ensuring an even coating. Then roll the chicken breasts thoroughly in the pretzel and panko breadcrumb mixture until well-covered for a crunchy crust.
- Bake: Place the coated chicken breasts on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle lightly with olive oil to enhance browning and crispiness. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the coating is golden and crisp.
- Prepare the Mustard-Cheddar Sauce: While the chicken bakes, heat the whole milk over medium heat in a saucepan. Stir in the Dijon mustard, grated cheddar cheese, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper if using. Cook, stirring frequently, until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Serve: Once the chicken is cooked through, serve it drizzled with the mustard-cheddar sauce or serve the sauce on the side as a delicious dip to enjoy alongside the crunchy pretzel chicken.
Notes
- For a dairy-free sauce alternative, substitute whole milk with almond or oat milk and use dairy-free cheddar-style shreds.
- Adjust cayenne pepper according to your spice preference or omit entirely for a milder sauce.
- Using crushed soft pretzels instead of only breadcrumbs gives a unique salty crunch to the chicken coating.
- Ensure chicken breasts are pounded to even thickness for uniform cooking.
- Do not overcrowd the baking sheet to maintain crispiness of the pretzel coating.
- This recipe serves 4 but can be scaled up for larger groups.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: pretzel chicken, baked chicken, mustard cheddar sauce, crunchy chicken, easy dinner recipe
