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Pretzel Chicken with Mustard-Cheddar Sauce Recipe – Crispy & Easy

Crispy pretzel chicken with mustard-cheddar sauce on white plate garnished with parsley

This Pretzel Chicken with Mustard-Cheddar Sauce features a crispy, golden pretzel coating on tender baked chicken, served with a creamy, tangy cheddar mustard dipping sauce. The perfect easy weeknight dinner that delivers restaurant-quality results in just 45 minutes!

Ingredients

Scale

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (68 oz each) or 1.5 lbs chicken tenders 4 cups pretzel twists (about 8 oz) 1 cup all-purpose flour 2 large eggs 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard 1 cup buttermilk 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon onion powder 1 teaspoon smoked paprika ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional) 1½ teaspoons kosher salt ½ teaspoon black pepper Cooking spray or olive oil 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1½ cups whole milk 1½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard 1 tablespoon whole grain mustard 1 tablespoon honey ¼ teaspoon garlic powder Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place a wire rack on top. Spray the rack with cooking spray. Pound chicken breasts to ¾-inch thickness using a meat mallet for even cooking. For tenders, leave as is. Combine buttermilk with 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard in a large bowl. Add chicken and marinate for at least 10 minutes. Crush pretzel twists in a food processor until they form fine crumbs with some texture, similar to panko breadcrumbs. Set up three shallow bowls: first with flour, second with eggs whisked with 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, third with crushed pretzels mixed with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne, salt, and black pepper. Remove chicken from buttermilk marinade. Dredge each piece in flour, shaking off excess. Dip into egg mixture, then press firmly into pretzel mixture, coating all sides completely. Place coated chicken on the prepared wire rack, spacing pieces 1 inch apart. Spray tops lightly with cooking spray or drizzle with olive oil. Bake for 25-30 minutes (20-25 for tenders) until internal temperature reaches 165°F and coating is golden brown and crispy. While chicken bakes, melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and whisk constantly for 1-2 minutes to create a smooth roux. Gradually pour in milk while whisking continuously. Continue whisking until mixture thickens and bubbles, about 3-4 minutes. Reduce heat to low. Add shredded cheddar cheese in three batches, stirring until each addition melts completely before adding more. Stir in both Dijon and whole grain mustards, honey, garlic powder, and cayenne if desired. Season with salt and pepper. Thin with milk if sauce is too thick. Keep warm on lowest heat. Remove chicken from oven when cooked through and golden. Let rest for 3-5 minutes. Serve crispy pretzel chicken immediately with warm mustard-cheddar sauce on the side or drizzled over top. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

For Extra Crispiness: Don’t skip the wire rack—it allows hot air to circulate completely around the chicken. Let breaded chicken rest 5-10 minutes before baking for better coating adhesion. Make-Ahead: Bread the chicken up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerate uncovered. The sauce can be made 2 days ahead and gently reheated with a splash of milk. Storage: Store leftover chicken in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Re-crisp in a 375°F oven for 8-10 minutes. Freeze cooked chicken (without sauce) for up to 2 months. Variations: For a spicy version, add hot sauce to the marinade and increase cayenne. Mix fresh herbs into the coating for an herb-crusted version. Common Mistakes: Avoid overcrowding the baking sheet, as this creates steam and prevents crispiness. Use a meat thermometer to prevent overbaking and dry chicken.

Nutrition

Keywords: pretzel chicken, mustard cheddar sauce, crushed pretzel crusted chicken, baked pretzel chicken tenders, easy weeknight dinner, crunchy chicken recipe