Pretzel Crusted Chicken Recipe
This Pretzel Crusted Chicken recipe features crispy chicken breasts coated in a crunchy pretzel crust and baked to perfection. Served with a creamy, tangy mustard cheddar sauce, it’s a delicious and unique twist on classic chicken dishes, perfect for a flavorful weeknight dinner.
- Author: Ella
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking and Pan-Searing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Chicken and Coating:
- 2 large chicken breasts (about 1 pound total)
- 1 cup crushed pretzels
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Mustard Cheddar Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Mix Coating Ingredients: In a shallow dish, combine the crushed pretzels, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. In another shallow dish, place the flour. In a third dish, beat the eggs until smooth.
- Coat the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Dredge each chicken breast first in the flour, shaking off any excess, then dip into the beaten eggs, and finally coat thoroughly with the pretzel mixture, pressing firmly to ensure the crust sticks well.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the coated chicken breasts and sear for about 3-4 minutes on each side until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside.
- Bake to Finish Cooking: Transfer the seared chicken breasts to the prepared baking sheet. Bake them in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), ensuring the chicken is fully cooked through.
- Prepare the Mustard Cheddar Sauce: While the chicken bakes, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux. Gradually whisk in the milk and continue cooking until the sauce thickens, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and Dijon mustard until smooth. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to your liking.
- Serve: Once the chicken is done, remove from the oven and plate. Drizzle the pretzel-crusted chicken with the warm mustard cheddar sauce and serve immediately for a delicious and comforting meal.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the pretzel coating mixture.
- You can substitute the chicken breasts with pork chops or tofu for a different protein option.
- Ensure to press the pretzel coating firmly onto the chicken to help it adhere and create a crunchy crust.
- Use fresh crushed pretzels (not overly fine) to maximize crunchiness in the crust.
- Let the sauce thicken fully before adding cheese to avoid lumps.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 45g
- Cholesterol: 200mg
Keywords: pretzel crusted chicken, mustard cheddar sauce, crispy chicken recipe, baked chicken, easy dinner recipes