Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 ½ pounds chicken tenders (or chicken breast cut into strips)
Coating Mixture
- 2 cups crushed pretzels
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Egg Wash
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
Finishing
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (or melted butter)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or lightly spraying it with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Crush the Pretzels: Crush 2 cups of pretzels finely using a food processor or place them in a zip-top bag and crush with a rolling pin until you have coarse crumbs for the crust.
- Prepare Dredging Station: In one shallow dish, combine the flour, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper. In a second dish, whisk together the eggs, Dijon mustard, and maple syrup until fully blended. Place the crushed pretzels in a third dish.
- Dredge Chicken in Flour Mixture: Take each chicken tender strip and coat it evenly on all sides with the flour and spice mixture. Ensure full coverage to help the egg mixture adhere better.
- Dip Chicken in Egg Wash: Next, dip the floured chicken strips into the egg mixture, making sure each piece is fully coated for flavor and to help the pretzel crumbs stick.
- Coat Chicken with Pretzels: Press each egg-coated chicken strip firmly into the crushed pretzels, pressing gently to ensure the crumbs stick and coat all sides thoroughly, creating the pretzel crust.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the crusted chicken strips evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet to ensure even cooking and crisping.
- Drizzle with Oil: Lightly drizzle olive oil or melted butter over the crusted chicken pieces to promote golden, crispy results while baking.
- Bake the Chicken: Bake in the preheated oven for 18–21 minutes, or until the pretzel coating is golden brown and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), confirming it is cooked through and safe to eat.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, use melted butter instead of olive oil when drizzling before baking.
- Ensure chicken pieces are of even thickness for uniform cooking.
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauces such as honey mustard, ranch, or BBQ sauce.
- Leftover pretzel crusted chicken can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven to retain crispiness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
