Pretzel Chicken with Mustard-Cheddar Sauce is a deliciously crispy and flavorful dish that combines the crunchy texture of crushed pretzels with juicy chicken breasts, topped off with a rich mustard-cheddar sauce. This recipe is perfect for when you’re looking to add a twist to your classic chicken dinner, giving you both comfort and bold flavor in one bite.
Equipment:
- Baking sheet
- Meat mallet (or rolling pin)
- Shallow bowls
- Skillet (optional for frying)
- Saucepan for the mustard-cheddar sauce
- Whisk
Ingredients:
For the Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cups pretzels, crushed
- 1/2 cup flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter (for frying)
For the Mustard-Cheddar Sauce:
- 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup yellow mustard
- 1 cup milk (or heavy cream for a richer sauce)
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon flour (to thicken the sauce)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven (if Baking):
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare the Chicken:
- Place the chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap and use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound them to an even thickness.
- Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
- Prepare the Coating:
- In a shallow bowl, place the flour. In another bowl, whisk the eggs and Dijon mustard together. In a third bowl, add the crushed pretzels.
- Coat the Chicken:
- Dredge each chicken breast in the flour, shaking off any excess. Dip it into the egg mixture, then press it into the crushed pretzels, ensuring it is fully coated.
- Cook the Chicken:
- If baking, place the coated chicken on the prepared baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is golden brown and fully cooked.
- If frying, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken breasts for 4-5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
- Make the Mustard-Cheddar Sauce:
- In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and whisk in the flour. Cook for 1-2 minutes to form a roux.
- Gradually whisk in the milk and bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring constantly until it begins to thicken.
- Add the shredded cheddar cheese, Dijon mustard, and yellow mustard. Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve:
- Plate the crispy pretzel-coated chicken and drizzle generously with the warm mustard-cheddar sauce. Serve with your favorite sides, such as roasted vegetables or mashed potatoes.
Tips:
- Make It Spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder to the pretzel mixture for a spicy kick.
- Cheese Substitute: Feel free to use other cheeses like Gruyère or Swiss for a different flavor profile in the sauce.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free pretzels and flour for a gluten-free version of this dish.
Pretzel Chicken with Mustard-Cheddar Sauce offers a delightful crunch from the pretzel coating, balanced perfectly by the creamy, tangy cheddar sauce. This easy yet flavorful meal is sure to become a family favorite, offering both a creative twist on traditional chicken and a dish that’s perfect for any occasion!
Pretzel Chicken with Mustard-Cheddar Sauce
Equipment
- Baking sheet
- Meat mallet (or rolling pin)
- Shallow bowls
- Skillet (optional for frying)
- Saucepan for the mustard-cheddar sauce
- Whisk
Ingredients
- For the Chicken:
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cups pretzels crushed
- 1/2 cup flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter for frying
- For the Mustard-Cheddar Sauce:
- 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup yellow mustard
- 1 cup milk or heavy cream for a richer sauce
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon flour to thicken the sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven (if Baking):
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare the Chicken:
- Place the chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap and use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound them to an even thickness.
- Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
- Prepare the Coating:
- In a shallow bowl, place the flour. In another bowl, whisk the eggs and Dijon mustard together. In a third bowl, add the crushed pretzels.
- Coat the Chicken:
- Dredge each chicken breast in the flour, shaking off any excess. Dip it into the egg mixture, then press it into the crushed pretzels, ensuring it is fully coated.
- Cook the Chicken:
- If baking, place the coated chicken on the prepared baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is golden brown and fully cooked.
- If frying, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken breasts for 4-5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
- Make the Mustard-Cheddar Sauce:
- In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and whisk in the flour. Cook for 1-2 minutes to form a roux.
- Gradually whisk in the milk and bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring constantly until it begins to thicken.
- Add the shredded cheddar cheese, Dijon mustard, and yellow mustard. Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve:
- Plate the crispy pretzel-coated chicken and drizzle generously with the warm mustard-cheddar sauce. Serve with your favorite sides, such as roasted vegetables or mashed potatoes.
Notes
Cheese Substitute: Feel free to use other cheeses like Gruyère or Swiss for a different flavor profile in the sauce.
Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free pretzels and flour for a gluten-free version of this dish.
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