Description
Pretzel Chicken with Mustard-Cheddar Sauce: a crispy, oven-baked chicken crusted in pretzels finished with a rich mustard-cheddar sauce for a restaurant-worthy, 4-serving dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cups crushed pretzels
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tbsp olive oil (for drizzling)
- For the mustard-cheddar sauce:
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp salt
- Squeeze of lemon (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Pound the chicken to even thickness. Season with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Set up three bowls: flour, beaten eggs, and crushed pretzels.
- Dredge each chicken breast in flour, then egg, then pretzels, pressing firmly so they stick.
- Place on the baking sheet and drizzle lightly with olive oil.
- Bake for 22–26 minutes, or until the chicken is crispy and fully cooked.
- Make the sauce: In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute.
- Slowly add milk, whisking until the mixture thickens.
- Stir in cheddar, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Add a small squeeze of lemon if you like a brighter flavor.
- Plate the crispy pretzel chicken and spoon warm mustard-cheddar sauce over the top.
Notes
- For extra crunch, lightly press the pretzel crumbs onto the chicken so they adhere well.
- Feel free to substitute sharp cheddar for more bite, or use a blend of cheeses for different flavors.
- To keep the sauce smooth, whisk continuously as you add milk.
- Make the sauce ahead and reheat gently before serving if needed.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days; reheat in the oven to maintain crispiness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 31 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 470 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 138 mg
Keywords: Pretzel chicken, mustard cheddar sauce, oven baked chicken, crispy chicken recipe, pretzel crust, 4 servings