Easy Pretzel Chicken Dinner with Mustard-Cheddar Sauce – Crispy, Crunchy & Comforting Weeknight Flavor Explosion

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🎉 Introduction

If you’re looking for a dinner that is fun, comforting, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying, this Easy Pretzel Chicken Dinner with Mustard-Cheddar Sauce is going to be your new favorite recipe. It combines juicy chicken breasts coated in crunchy crushed pretzels — giving it a crispy texture that regular breadcrumbs can’t compete with — and pairs it with a warm, creamy, tangy mustard-cheddar sauce that brings everything together beautifully.

The pretzel crust adds the perfect salty crunch while sealing in the moisture of the chicken so every bite stays juicy and tender. The mustard-cheddar sauce is a game-changer: creamy, cheesy, slightly tangy, and full of rich flavor. Dijon mustard gives it a sharp, elegant depth while cheddar provides a silky, comforting melt. When you drizzle that sauce over the crispy pretzel chicken, the combination feels restaurant-quality but comes together with simple, easy ingredients.

This dish is ideal for weeknight dinners, family meals, or even casual gatherings because it looks impressive but requires minimal effort. It also pairs well with almost anything — potatoes, pasta, salad, rice, roasted veggies, or even a sandwich-style serving.

Warm, crispy, tangy, cheesy, and absolutely irresistible — this recipe is comfort food with personality.

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🧰 Equipment Needed

• Large mixing bowls
• Cutting board & knife
• Food processor or rolling pin for crushing pretzels
• Whisk
• Baking sheet
• Shallow dipping plates
• Saucepan
• Oven
• Measuring cups & spoons

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🛒 Ingredients

Chicken

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

Egg Wash

• 2 eggs

Dry Coating

• ½ cup flour
• Salt and pepper to taste

Pretzel Crust

• 2 cups pretzels, crushed
• 1 cup breadcrumbs (plain or seasoned)

Mustard-Cheddar Sauce

• ¼ cup Dijon mustard
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• ¼ cup milk
• Salt and pepper to taste

For Cooking

• Olive oil or cooking spray

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👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1: Prepare the Pretzel Crust

Place pretzels in a food processor and pulse until finely crushed.
(Or place them in a zip bag and pound with a rolling pin.)

Mix crushed pretzels with breadcrumbs in a large bowl.

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Step 2: Prepare the Chicken

Pat chicken breasts dry.

Season them lightly with salt and pepper on both sides.

Set up a breading station:

1️⃣ Plate 1: Flour
2️⃣ Plate 2: Beaten eggs
3️⃣ Plate 3: Pretzel-breadcrumb mixture

Coat each chicken breast by dipping in:

• Flour → shake excess
• Eggs → coat fully
• Pretzel mixture → press firmly to stick

Repeat for all chicken pieces.

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Step 3: Bake the Chicken

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

Place breaded chicken on a greased baking sheet.

Lightly spray tops with oil for extra crispiness.

Bake 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway, until:

• Golden
• Crunchy
• Internal temp reaches 165°F (75°C)

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Step 4: Make the Mustard-Cheddar Sauce

In a saucepan over medium heat, add:

• Milk
• Cheddar cheese
• Dijon mustard

Whisk continuously until cheese melts and sauce becomes smooth and creamy.

Season with salt and pepper.

If sauce is too thick, add a splash of milk.

If too thin, add a little extra cheddar.

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Step 5: Serve

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

Garnish with chopped parsley or green onions if desired.

Serve immediately while hot and crunchy.

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🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Servings: 4
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20–25 minutes
• Total Time: 30–35 minutes

Perfect for fast weeknight dinners!

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🧊 Storage & Reheating

Refrigerator

Store chicken and sauce separately for up to 3 days.

Freezer

Freeze chicken without sauce for up to 2 months.

Reheating

• Oven: 375°F for 10 minutes (crispy again)
• Air fryer: 350°F for 5 minutes
• Microwave: For sauce only

Sauce Reheating

Add a splash of milk and reheat gently to avoid separation.

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🥄 Variations

1. Spicy Pretzel Chicken

Add cayenne or chili powder to the pretzel mix.

2. Honey-Mustard Version

Whisk 1 tbsp honey into the sauce for a sweeter profile.

3. Parmesan Pretzel Crust

Add grated Parmesan to the breadcrumb mixture.

4. Ranch Pretzel Chicken

Add 1 tbsp ranch seasoning to the flour or pretzels.

5. Gluten-Free

Use GF pretzels + GF breadcrumbs + GF flour.

6. Baked Tenders Version

Cut chicken into strips for pretzel tenders — kid-friendly!

7. Extra Crispy Version

Double-coat with egg + pretzels twice for thick crust.

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❓ 10 FAQs

1. Can I pan-fry the chicken instead of baking?

Yes, but baking keeps the crust crispier and healthier.

2. Can I use chicken thighs instead?

Absolutely — they stay juicy and are great for this recipe.

3. What kind of pretzels work best?

Salted hard pretzels or pretzel rods — avoid flavored ones.

4. Can I make the sauce without Dijon?

You can use yellow mustard, but Dijon gives best flavor.

5. My crust didn’t stick well — why?

Chicken must be dry before dredging, and firm pressing helps.

6. What sides pair well with this?

Mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, salad, or mac & cheese.

7. Can I air fry the chicken?

Yes — 380°F for 12–14 minutes, flipping halfway.

8. Can I make the sauce thicker?

Add more cheddar or simmer longer.

9. Can I prep this in advance?

Yes — bread the chicken and refrigerate up to 24 hours.

10. Is the sauce spicy?

Not spicy, just tangy — add cayenne if you want heat.

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🏁 Conclusion

This Easy Pretzel Chicken Dinner with Mustard-Cheddar Sauce is crispy, creamy, tangy, and incredibly comforting — the kind of meal that instantly becomes a house favorite. The crunchy pretzel coating gives every bite a satisfying texture, while the warm mustard-cheddar sauce brings richness, tang, and cheesy goodness that ties the whole dish together.

It’s fast enough for weeknights, impressive enough for guests, and comforting enough for any cozy dinner craving. If you want a recipe that delivers bold flavor with simple ingredients, this is the one.

Crunchy. Cheesy. Tangy. Satisfying.
The perfect pretzel-crusted chicken dinner for every occasion.