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Pretzel Chicken with Cheddar Sauce

Pretzel Chicken with Cheddar Sauce
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Pretzel Chicken with Cheddar Sauce is a deliciously crispy chicken dish coated in crushed pretzels and baked to golden perfection, served with a rich and creamy sharp cheddar cheese sauce. This recipe combines crunchy textures with cheesy indulgence, making it a perfect crowd-pleaser for any occasion, from weeknight dinners to special gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Coating

  • 4 chicken breasts, trimmed and pounded to even thickness
  • 2 cups crushed pretzels (for gluten-free, use gluten-free pretzels)
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Cheddar Sauce

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
  • 2 cups milk (or plant-based milk for dairy-free)
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Trim and flatten the chicken breasts to an even thickness to ensure they cook evenly and stay juicy.
  2. Crush the Pretzels: Place pretzels in a sealed plastic bag and crush them with a rolling pin until coarse crumbs form, keeping some larger pieces for extra crunch.
  3. Bread the Chicken: Set up a breading station with beaten eggs and the crushed pretzels mixed with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Dip each chicken breast in egg, then coat thoroughly with the pretzel crumbs.
  4. Bake to Perfection: Place the coated chicken breasts on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.
  5. Make the Cheddar Sauce: While the chicken bakes, melt butter in a saucepan over low heat. Whisk in flour to form a roux, then slowly add milk while stirring constantly until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat and stir in shredded cheddar cheese until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Serve and Enjoy: Drizzle the warm cheddar sauce generously over the crispy pretzel chicken and garnish with fresh chopped chives or parsley if desired.

Notes

  • Pound chicken breasts to an even thickness to ensure uniform cooking and prevent dryness.
  • Crush pretzels coarsely to keep some larger pieces for extra texture.
  • Season both the chicken and pretzel coating well for layers of flavor.
  • Cook the cheddar sauce gently over low heat to avoid cheese separating.
  • Use sharp cheddar cheese for the best flavor and cheesy kick.

Nutrition

Keywords: Pretzel Chicken, Cheddar Sauce, Crispy Chicken, Baked Chicken, Cheesy Sauce, Family Dinner, Gluten-Free Option

Find it online: https://elenaglam.com/pretzel-chicken-with-cheddar-sauce/