Pretzel Chicken with Mustard-Cheddar Sauce Recipe
Pretzel Chicken with Mustard-Cheddar Sauce is a delightful dish featuring tender, juicy chicken breasts coated in a crunchy pretzel crust and baked to perfection. Paired with a creamy and tangy mustard-cheddar sauce, this recipe offers a perfect balance of flavors and textures, making it a delicious meal for any occasion.
- 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 (recipe below)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (mixed into sauce)
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (added to sauce)
- Salt and pepper to taste (for sauce)
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 flavor before breading.
- Set Up Breading Station: Arrange three separate bowls: one with all-purpose flour, the second with beaten eggs mixed with Dijon mustard, and the third with coarsely crushed pretzels for coating.
- Bread Chicken: Coat each chicken breast first in flour, ensuring full coverage. Then dip into the egg and mustard mixture, allowing excess to drip off. Finally, press the chicken into the crushed pretzels to create a crunchy outer layer.
- Bake Chicken: Place the breaded chicken breasts onto the prepared baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Bake until the crust is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) for safe consumption.
- Prepare Mustard-Cheddar Sauce: While the chicken bakes, heat milk, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce together over medium heat in a small saucepan, stirring to combine flavors evenly.
- Add Cheese: Gradually stir in shredded cheddar cheese until fully melted and the sauce becomes creamy and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then remove from heat.
- Serve: Remove the baked chicken from the oven and allow it to rest for a few minutes to retain juices. Serve each breast topped with the warm mustard-cheddar sauce for a flavorful finish.
Notes
- Ensure the internal temperature of chicken reaches 165°F (75°C) to guarantee it is fully cooked and safe to eat.
- Coarsely crushed pretzels create the best crunchy texture, so avoid finely ground crumbs.
- Resting the chicken after baking helps keep it juicy and tender.
- You can double the mustard-cheddar sauce ingredients if you prefer more sauce to serve alongside.
- Substitute Dijon mustard with spicy brown mustard for a different flavor profile.
Keywords: Pretzel Chicken, Mustard-Cheddar Sauce, Baked Chicken, Crunchy Chicken, Easy Dinner Recipe
