Description
This Pretzel Chicken with Mustard-Cheddar Sauce combines crispy, golden-baked chicken with a creamy, tangy cheese sauce. A comforting twist on classic fried chicken that’s pork-free, alcohol-free, and packed with flavor!
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 cups crushed pretzels (about 6 oz)
½ cup all-purpose flour
2 large eggs
2 tbsp Dijon mustard
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp onion powder
Salt and black pepper, to taste
2 tbsp olive oil or melted butter (for baking)
For the Mustard-Cheddar Sauce:
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 cup milk (whole or 2%)
½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp yellow mustard (optional, for extra tang)
Salt and pepper, to taste
Pinch of paprika or cayenne (optional, for a little kick)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
2. Pound chicken breasts to even thickness (about ¾ inch thick).
3. In one shallow dish, mix flour with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
4. In another dish, whisk eggs and Dijon mustard.
5. In a third dish, add crushed pretzels.
6. Dredge chicken in the flour, then dip in the egg mixture, and finally coat with pretzels, pressing gently so they stick well.
7. Arrange coated chicken on the prepared baking sheet and drizzle lightly with olive oil or melted butter.
8. Bake for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
9. While baking, make the sauce: melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
10. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk until slightly thickened (3–4 minutes).
11. Stir in cheddar cheese, Dijon, yellow mustard, and paprika. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
12. Serve warm pretzel chicken topped with mustard-cheddar sauce. Garnish with parsley or extra cheese if desired.
Notes
🥨 Tips:
– Crush pretzels finely for a smoother coating, or leave some texture for extra crunch.
– Use low-sodium pretzels if you prefer a lighter salt level.
– The mustard-cheddar sauce also pairs perfectly with roasted vegetables or fries.
– Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat in the oven for best crispiness.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Category: Dinner, Chicken
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 145mg
Keywords: Pretzel Chicken, Mustard Cheddar Sauce, Baked Chicken, Crunchy Chicken, Comfort Food, Pork-Free, Alcohol-Free