Pretzel Crusted Chicken (Crispy, Juicy & So Easy!)

Pretzel Crusted Chicken is a delicious twist on classic breaded chicken — salty, crunchy, and dipped in honey mustard or Dijon. This pretzel chicken / pretzel crusted chicken recipe is easy enough for weeknights but special enough for guests. Try it tonight — your family will ask for seconds!

Why You’ll Love It

• Salty, crunchy exterior with juicy, flavorful chicken inside
• Kid-approved: fun to dip and eat
• Versatile: you can bake, air-fry, or pan-fry
• Pairs well with lots of sauces (honey mustard, Dijon, spicy)
• Works with chicken breasts, tenders, drumsticks, cutlets

Ingredients / What You’ll Need

Ingredient	Role / Notes / Substitutions
Chicken (breasts / tenders / cutlets)	Main protein
Hard pretzels	Crushed into crumbs — the “bread” of the crust
All-purpose flour	Helps the coating adhere
Egg (or egg + mustard / honey)	Binder for the coating
Seasonings (salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika)	Flavor boosters
Oil or cooking spray	To help crisping when baking or pan frying
Optional: Dijon mustard, honey, mayo, vinegar	For dipping sauce or part of coating/marinade

How to Make It

Here’s a straightforward baked version (you can adapt for air fryer or pan fry):

1. Preheat and prep.
   Preheat oven to ~ 200 °C (400 °F). Line a baking sheet with parchment or place a wire rack on top of a sheet.
2. Crush pretzels.
   Crush the pretzels into coarse crumbs (not powder) using a food processor or ziplock bag + rolling pin.
3. Set up dredging stations.
   • Bowl 1: Seasoned flour (salt, pepper, garlic, onion powder, paprika)
   • Bowl 2: Egg (you can whisk in a bit of Dijon or honey)
   • Bowl 3: Pretzel crumbs
4. Coat the chicken.
   • Dredge each piece first in flour, shake off excess
   • Next dip in egg wash
   • Press into pretzel crumbs so coating sticks well
   • Place on prepared baking sheet (or rack)
5. Bake / cook.
   • Bake for 12–15 min, flip, then another 10–15 min, until internal temp hits ~ 75 °C (165 °F)
   • Optional: lightly spray or brush with oil to boost crispness
   • For pan fry: use ~½ inch oil, fry ~3–5 min per side until golden and cooked through
   • For air fryer: cook at ~ 190 °C (≈ 370–400 °F) for 8–10 min per side (depending on thickness)
6. Serve with sauce.
   Try honey mustard, Dijon dip, hot honey, or spicy mayo.

Pro Tips

• Don’t overcrush pretzels — a little chunk gives nice texture
• Press the crumbs gently — firm pressure helps them stick
• Use a wire rack if baking — air circulates, keeps bottom crisp
• Spray/brush oil lightly on top before baking to improve browning
• Check temperature — use meat thermometer so you don’t overcook
• Work in batches — don’t overcrowd pan or air fryer

Variations & Substitutions

• Buffalo version: toss coated chicken in buffalo sauce after cooking.
• Hot honey drizzle: drizzle honey infused with jalapeños or chili over the chicken .
• Mustard marinade: mix Dijon, whole grain mustard, honey and use as part of egg wash or marinade.
• Herbed pretzel mix: add parsley, thyme, or rosemary to the pretzel crumbs
• Pretzel + Parmesan: mix grated Parmesan cheese with pretzel crumbs for extra flavor (shared by a Reddit cook).

Storage & Reheat

• Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days
• Freezer: Flash freeze coated & cooked pieces, then transfer to freezer bag (up to 2–3 months)
• Reheat: Bake in oven at ~ 180–200 °C (350–400 °F) for 8–12 min, or use air fryer ~ 160–180 °C (320–360 °F) for 5–8 min — just enough to crisp up without drying

What to Serve With It

• Roasted veggies (e.g., broccoli, carrots, zucchini)
• Mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes
• Green salad or coleslaw
• Rice pilaf or couscous
• Dipping sauces: honey mustard, Dijon dip, spicy mayo, hot honey

Conclusion

There’s something magical about that first crunch of Pretzel Crusted Chicken — salty, golden, and perfectly juicy inside. Whether you bake it for a cozy weeknight dinner or air fry it for a quick weekend meal, this recipe never disappoints. The best part? It pairs with almost anything — veggies, salads, or even fries. Next time you’re craving comfort food with a twist, grab a bag of pretzels and turn your chicken night into something unforgettable.

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