Pretzel Crusted Chicken: A Deliciously Crunchy Recipe for Dinner

### Pretzel-Crusted Chicken Recipe #### Description Enjoy a delightful twist on classic chicken with this Pretzel-Crusted Chicken recipe. Tender chicken breasts are coated in a crunchy pretzel crust, seasoned to perfection, and baked until golden brown. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion! — #### Ingredients – **4** boneless, skinless chicken breasts – **1 cup** crushed pretzels (about 2 cups whole pretzels) – **1/2 cup** all-purpose flour – **2** large eggs – **1/4 cup** Dijon mustard – **1 teaspoon** garlic powder – **1 teaspoon** onion powder – **1 teaspoon** smoked paprika – **1/2 teaspoon** salt – **1/2 teaspoon** black pepper – **1/2 cup** shredded cheddar cheese (optional) – Cooking spray or olive oil for greasing — #### Instructions

1. **Preheat the Oven**: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

. **Prepare the Chicken Breasts**: Place chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap or parchment paper. Pound to an even thickness of about 1/2 inch.

. **Season the Chicken**: In a small bowl, mix garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Rub the mixture all over the chicken breasts.

. **Set Up Your Breading Station**: In three shallow dishes, place flour in the first, whisk eggs and Dijon mustard in the second, and crushed pretzels in the third.

. **Crush the Pretzels**: If not done, crush pretzels in a zip-top bag until they resemble coarse crumbs.

. **Dredge the Chicken**: Dip each chicken breast into the flour, shaking off excess.

. **Dip in Egg Mixture**: Next, dip the floured chicken into the egg and mustard mixture, allowing excess to drip off.

. **Coat with Pretzels**: Press the chicken into the crushed pretzels, ensuring it’s fully coated. Repeat for all chicken breasts. 9.

**Prepare the Baking Sheet**: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or grease it with cooking spray or olive oil. 10

**Arrange the Chicken**: Place the breaded chicken breasts on the prepared baking sheet, spaced apart. 11

**Add Cheese (Optional)**: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top of each chicken breast if desired. 12

**Bake the Chicken**: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) and the crust is golden brown. 13.

*Check for Doneness**: Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature or cut into the thickest part to ensure juices run clear. 14.

*Rest the Chicken**: Let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes before slicing or serving. 15.

*Slice and Serve**: Slice the chicken into strips or serve whole. Enjoy the crunchy pretzel crust with tender chicken inside. 16.

*Pair with Sides**: Serve with honey mustard dipping sauce, fresh salad, roasted vegetables, or mashed potatoes. 17.

*Garnish**: Optionally garnish with fresh herbs or additional cheese before serving. — #### Notes – For extra flavor, consider marinating the chicken in the Dijon mustard for a few hours before breading. – You can customize the seasoning to your taste by adding herbs or spices you enjoy. – This dish pairs well with a variety of sides, making it versatile for any meal. — #### Prep Time 15 minutes #### Cook Time 25 minutes #### Total Time 40 minutes #### Yield 4 servings