Name: Pretzel Chicken with Mustard-Cheddar Sauce
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 1/2 lbs chicken tenders or breasts, cut into strips; 2 cups crushed pretzels; 1/2 cup all-purpose flour; 2 large eggs, beaten; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon paprika; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 2 tablespoons olive oil (for baking); 2 tablespoons unsalted butter; 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 1 cup milk; 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded; 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; Salt and black pepper, to taste

Description

This Crispy Pretzel Crusted Chicken is comfort food with a delightful twist. The salty, crunchy pretzel coating gives way to juicy chicken, smothered in a sharp and creamy mustard-cheddar sauce.

Ingredients

Scale

1 1/2 lbs chicken tenders or breasts, cut into strips
2 cups crushed pretzels
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 large eggs, beaten
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil (for baking)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup milk
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Set up three bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with crushed pretzels mixed with garlic powder, paprika, and black pepper.
Coat chicken pieces in flour, then egg, then pretzel mixture, pressing gently so crumbs stick.
Arrange chicken on baking sheet, drizzle lightly with olive oil, and bake until golden brown and crispy, about 20–25 minutes.
Meanwhile, prepare the sauce: melt butter in a saucepan, whisk in flour, and cook 1 minute to form a roux.
Slowly add milk while whisking constantly until smooth and thickened.
Stir in shredded cheddar, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until melted and creamy.
Serve chicken hot and drizzle with mustard-cheddar sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

For best crunch, avoid crushing pretzels too finely—keep a coarse texture. Store chicken and sauce separately to maintain crispiness.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baked
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 460
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 720mg
Fat: 25g
Saturated Fat: 11g
Unsaturated Fat: 13g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 28g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 32g
Cholesterol: 110mg

Keywords: pretzel crusted chicken, mustard cheddar sauce, baked chicken, comfort food