Pretzel-Crusted Chicken with Mustard-Cheddar Sauce Recipe
Pretzel Chicken with Mustard-Cheddar Sauce is a deliciously crunchy and flavorful baked chicken dish featuring a crispy pretzel crust and a creamy, tangy mustard cheddar sauce. Perfect for a comforting meal, this recipe combines savory seasoning with a cheesy dipping sauce that elevates simple chicken breasts to a restaurant-quality experience at home.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Breading
- 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 (prepared as per recipe below)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and 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 flavor before breading.
- Set Up Breading Station: Arrange three separate bowls: one with the all-purpose flour, another with beaten eggs mixed with Dijon mustard, and a third with the coarsely crushed pretzels. This setup ensures a perfect coating on the chicken.
- Bread Chicken: Coat each chicken breast first in the flour, shaking off excess, then dip into the egg and Dijon mustard mixture, letting excess drip off, and finally press into the crushed pretzels to coat completely for a crunchy crust.
- Bake Chicken: Place the breaded chicken breasts on the prepared baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) and the crust turns golden brown and crispy.
- Prepare Mustard-Cheddar Sauce: While the chicken bakes, combine milk, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir continuously to heat through evenly.
- Add Cheese: Gradually stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until fully melted and the sauce is smooth. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed, then remove from heat.
- Serve: Let the baked chicken rest for a few minutes after removing from the oven. Serve warm with the prepared mustard-cheddar sauce on the side or drizzled over the chicken.
Notes
- For extra crunch, use freshly crushed pretzels rather than pre-packaged finely crushed ones.
- Ensure the chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) for food safety.
- This recipe can be paired nicely with steamed vegetables or a fresh green salad for a balanced meal.
- You can substitute Dijon mustard with spicy brown mustard for a different flavor profile.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, reduce the milk quantity slightly or add a small amount of flour to the sauce while heating.
Keywords: Pretzel Chicken, Mustard Cheddar Sauce, Baked Chicken, Crispy Chicken, Easy Dinner Recipe, Chicken Breast Recipe
