Description
This Pretzel Chicken with Mustard-Cheddar Sauce combines tender, juicy chicken breasts with a crunchy pretzel crust, perfectly baked to golden brown. Paired with a creamy and tangy mustard-cheddar sauce, this dish offers a delightful blend of flavors and textures that’s perfect for an impressive dinner or a comforting family meal.
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 prepared mustard-cheddar sauce
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ease clean-up.
- Prepare Chicken: Season the chicken breasts thoroughly with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder to infuse them with flavor before breading.
- Set Up Breading Station: Arrange three bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs mixed with Dijon mustard, and one with crushed pretzels for coating.
- Bread Chicken: Dip each chicken breast first into the flour, coating completely, then into the egg mixture, letting excess drip off, and finally press into the crushed pretzels to form a crunchy crust.
- Bake Chicken: Place the breaded chicken on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) and the crust is golden brown and crisp.
- Prepare Mustard-Cheddar Sauce: While the chicken bakes, heat milk, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until combined and warm.
- Add Cheese: Gradually add shredded cheddar cheese to the warmed mixture, stirring continuously until the cheese melts smoothly. Season with salt and pepper, then remove from heat.
- Serve: Let the chicken rest a few minutes after baking to retain its juices. Serve hot with the rich mustard-cheddar sauce drizzled on top or on the side for dipping.
Notes
- Ensure chicken breasts are of even thickness for uniform cooking; pound lightly if necessary.
- Use coarse pretzels for a more pronounced crunch in the crust.
- Monitor the baking time closely to avoid overcooking which can dry out the chicken.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute cheddar cheese and milk with plant-based alternatives suitable for melting.
- Leftover mustard-cheddar sauce can be refrigerated up to 3 days and gently reheated before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: pretzel chicken, mustard cheddar sauce, baked chicken, crunchy chicken recipe, easy chicken dinner
