If you love crispy, crunchy chicken with a cheesy, tangy twist, this Pretzel Chicken with Mustard-Cheddar Sauce is about to be your new favorite comfort food. The salty crunch of the pretzel crust pairs perfectly with juicy baked chicken, and the creamy mustard-cheddar sauce ties it all together. Best of all, it’s easy enough for a weeknight dinner but impressive enough for company.
For the Chicken:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 cups coarsely crushed pretzels
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
Salt and black pepper, to taste
For the Mustard-Cheddar Sauce:
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup milk
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Preheat Oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Season Chicken
Pat chicken dry. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
Set Up Breading Station
Bowl 1: Flour
Bowl 2: Beaten eggs + Dijon mustard
Bowl 3: Crushed pretzels
Bread the Chicken
Coat each chicken breast in flour (shake off excess).
Dip in egg mixture.
Press into crushed pretzels until well coated.
Bake
Arrange chicken on prepared sheet. Bake 25–30 minutes, until crust is golden and chicken reaches 165°F (75°C).
Make Sauce
While chicken bakes, heat milk, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until warm.
Add cheddar cheese gradually, stirring until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
Serve
Let chicken rest a few minutes after baking. Serve hot with mustard-cheddar sauce drizzled over the top.
Crush pretzels evenly: A food processor works best, but you can also place pretzels in a zip-top bag and crush with a rolling pin. Aim for coarse crumbs (not powder) for maximum crunch.
Extra golden crust: Spray or lightly drizzle the breaded chicken with oil before baking to help it crisp up even more.
Make ahead: The sauce can be made a day in advance and gently reheated before serving.
Serving idea: Pair with roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a crisp side salad.