Pretzel-Crusted Chicken

Table of Contents

🥨 Pretzel-Crusted Chicken 🍗

Crispy, salty pretzel crust meets juicy chicken—a fun twist on schnitzel that’s perfect with beer cheese or honey mustard!

⏰ Time

Prep: 15 mins | Cook: 20 mins | Total: 35 mins
Serves: 4

📝 Ingredients

For the Chicken:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs), pounded to ½-inch thickness
2 cups (100g) pretzels, finely crushed (use a food processor or rolling pin)

½ cup (60g) all-purpose flour
2 large eggs, beaten
1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp black pepper
¼ cup (60ml) Dijon mustard (optional, for extra tang)

3 tbsp butter, melted (or olive oil)

For Serving:

Lemon wedges

Beer cheese sauce or honey mustard
Fresh parsley, chopped

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1️⃣ Prep the Coating

Crush pretzels into fine crumbs (some small chunks are okay for texture). Mix with garlic powder, paprika, and pepper.

Set up a breading station:
- Bowl 1: Flour
- Bowl 2: Beaten eggs (+ optional Dijon mustard)
- Bowl 3: Pretzel mixture

2️⃣ Bread the Chicken

Pat chicken dry, then dredge in flour → dip in egg → press into pretzel crumbs (coat both sides firmly).

3️⃣ Bake or Pan-Fry

Option 1: Baked (Healthier)

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
Place chicken on a wire rack over a baking sheet. Drizzle with melted butter.
Bake 18-20 mins until internal temp reaches 165°F (74°C).

Option 2: Pan-Fried (Extra Crispy)

Heat 2 tbsp oil in a skillet over medium-high.
Cook chicken 3-4 mins per side until golden and cooked through.

4️⃣ Serve

Squeeze with lemon, sprinkle with parsley, and dunk in beer cheese or honey mustard.

🌟 Pro Tips

Extra crunch: Add ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs to the pretzel mix.
Make ahead: Prep breaded chicken and refrigerate (unbaked) up to 24 hours.

Kid-friendly: Use pretzel sticks for easier crushing (and let kids help coat!).

🍽 Serving Ideas

🍟 Pair with warm German potato salad or roasted Brussels sprouts.
🍺 Serve with a cold lager or apple cider for Oktoberfest vibes!

Why You’ll Love It:

✔️ Salty-sweet crunch that beats regular breading.
✔️ Versatile—equally great as tenders or atop a salad.
✔️ No deep-frying needed for maximum crispiness.

Fun twist: Swap pretzels for crushed potato chips or cornflakes! 😉

Hungry for more? Try a pretzel-crusted chicken sandwich with slaw and pickles! 🥪