Name: Pretzel Crusted Chicken Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 16 min
Total time: 31 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 Tablespoons mayonnaise; 2 Tablespoons honey; 2 Tablespoons Dijon mustard; 1 teaspoon white vinegar; ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper; 3 cups pretzels (tiny twists recommended); ⅓ cup all-purpose flour; ¾ teaspoon table salt; ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper; ½ teaspoon onion powder; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; ½ teaspoon smoked paprika; 1 large egg; 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard; 1 Tablespoon honey; 2 Tablespoons salted butter (melted); 1 lb chicken breast or chicken tenders

Ingredients

2 Tablespoons mayonnaise

2 Tablespoons honey

2 Tablespoons Dijon mustard

1 teaspoon white vinegar

⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper

3 cups pretzels (recommend using the tiny twists)

¾ teaspoon table salt

¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

½ teaspoon onion powder

½ teaspoon garlic powder

½ teaspoon smoked paprika

1 lb chicken breast or chicken tenders

⅓ cup all-purpose flour

1 large egg

1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 Tablespoon honey

2 Tablespoons salted butter (melted)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with butter. Set aside.

Step 2: Make the honey mustard sauce by whisking together mayonnaise, honey, Dijon mustard, white vinegar, and cayenne pepper in a small dish. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Step 3: Crush the pretzels by pulsing them in a food processor until finely broken. Alternatively, place pretzels in a plastic bag and crush with a rolling pin. Pour crushed pretzels into a shallow dish.

Step 4: In another shallow dish, whisk together flour, salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Set aside.

Step 5: Prepare the egg dip by whisking together the egg, Dijon mustard, and honey in a separate shallow dish.

Step 6: Prepare the chicken by cutting chicken breasts into cutlets if needed. Pound to an even thickness for uniform cooking.

Step 7: Pat chicken dry, dredge each piece in the flour mixture until fully coated, then dip into the egg mixture, and finally coat completely with the crushed pretzels.

Step 8: Place coated chicken pieces on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them at least 2 inches (5 cm) apart. Drizzle melted butter over the chicken.

Step 9: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-16 minutes for tenders or 16-18 minutes for chicken breasts, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

Tips & Variations

Use flavored pretzels like garlic or honey mustard for an extra layer of taste.

For extra crispiness, double-coat the chicken by repeating the egg and pretzel steps.

Swap mayonnaise with Greek yogurt to reduce fat while keeping moisture.

Serve with a side of your favorite dipping sauce, such as ranch or extra honey mustard.

FAQs

Can I use other types of nuts or breadcrumbs instead of pretzels?

Yes, while pretzels give a unique salty crunch, you can substitute with crushed nuts, breadcrumbs, or cornflakes for different textures and flavors.

Is it possible to prepare this recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely. Use gluten-free pretzels and substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make this dish suitable for gluten-sensitive diets.