Pretzel Chicken with Mustard-Cheddar Sauce 🥨🍗 (Crispy, Savory & Comforting)

Introduction

Craving a fun twist on classic chicken dinner? Pretzel Chicken with Mustard-Cheddar Sauce combines crispy, golden pretzel-coated chicken with a creamy, tangy cheddar-mustard sauce that’s irresistible. It’s perfect for weeknight dinners, family meals, or when you want a restaurant-quality dish at home.

Pretzel-crusted foods trace their origins to Germany, where soft pretzels are a cultural staple. Pairing them with chicken and a rich sauce creates a playful, elevated comfort-food experience.

Ingredients (Serves 4)

Pretzel-Coated Chicken

1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 cups pretzel crumbs (pulse pretzels in food processor)
½ cup all-purpose flour
2 large eggs, beaten
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp paprika
Salt & pepper, to taste
2–3 tbsp olive oil or melted butter (for baking)

Mustard-Cheddar Sauce

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup milk
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp honey or maple syrup
Salt & pepper, to taste

Timing

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20–25 minutes
Total Time: ~40 minutes

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat Oven

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.

Step 2: Prepare Pretzel Coating

Pulse pretzels in a food processor until fine crumbs form.
Mix with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.

Step 3: Coat Chicken

Dredge chicken in flour, shaking off excess.
Dip into beaten eggs.
Press into pretzel crumbs, ensuring full coverage.

Step 4: Bake Chicken

Place coated chicken on prepared baking sheet.
Drizzle lightly with olive oil or melted butter.
Bake 20–25 minutes until golden and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

✨ Tip: Flip halfway for even browning.

Step 5: Make Mustard-Cheddar Sauce

In a small saucepan, heat milk over low-medium heat.
Stir in cheddar cheese until melted and smooth.
Add Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper.
Remove from heat when smooth and creamy.

Step 6: Serve

Plate the pretzel chicken and drizzle generously with mustard-cheddar sauce.

Optional: Garnish with chopped chives or parsley for color.

Nutritional Information (Approximate per serving)

Calories: ~450
Protein: 35g
Carbohydrates: 25g
Fat: 20g

High in protein, satisfying, and indulgent without being overly heavy.

Flavor Tips

Use sharp cheddar for bolder flavor.
Add a pinch of cayenne to the sauce for heat.
Serve with roasted vegetables or a side salad.
Swap pretzels for panko for a milder crunch.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using wet pretzels (crumbs must be dry)
Overbaking chicken (leads to dryness)
Not pressing crumbs firmly onto chicken
Heating cheese sauce too quickly (can separate)

Storage Tips

Chicken is best served fresh for maximum crunch.
Sauce can be refrigerated up to 3 days and reheated gently.
Leftover chicken can be stored in fridge 2–3 days, but reheat in oven or air fryer to maintain crispiness.