This Pretzel Crusted Chicken Recipe takes your favorite chicken tender recipe and puts a crunchy twist on them. Pretzels, honey mustard and eggs create the coating for the chicken. This recipe can be made in the air fryer or baked in the oven. These are a nice change from traditional chicken nuggets.
Today I am sharing these fun twist on chicken tenders with this Pretzel Crusted Chicken Recipe. These make a great meal for game-day, kids parties or an easy weeknight meal. You will love the salty, crunchy outside crust that the pretzels create on the chicken and that crunch factor.
I give you both a version for cooking these in the air fryer or in the oven. My whole family loves these and we’re really excited to try something other than normal chicken tenders. If you are a fan of everything bagel seasoning try to find the everything pretzel thins. They can make an even more flavorful chicken tender with that delicious seasoning. My kids love dipping them in your favorite dipping sauce like hot sauce, buffalo sauce, homemade ranch dressing, bbq sauce, ketchup or your favorite dipping sauces. If you like today’s pretzel crusted chicken tenders you have to try my Baked Chicken FingersCoconut-Crusted Chicken Tendersand Air Fryer Chicken Tenders recipe.
I personally love making these in the air fryer. I use my air fryer often to make recipes like this Air Fryer CodAir Fryer Coconut Shrimpand this Air Fryer Twice Baked Potato
Recipe Ingredients |
For exact ingredient amounts and instructions, see the full recipe card below.
- Chicken Tenders: You can usually find chicken tenders at most grocery stores. I buy about 1 1/2 to 2 pounds for this recipe and it feeds 4-5 people. You can easily double this recipe!
- Honey Mustard Dressing: The honey mustard adds flavor and also helps to hold the pretzels on the chicken. You can buy your favorite or make a homemade version
- Breadcrumbs: I used regular breadcrumbs in this recipe. You could also use panko breadcrumbs for an even crunchier crust.
- Spices: The spice mixture I added was paprika, garlic salt and pepper. You can add other spices like Italian seasoning, basil, thyme or oregano.
- Pretzels: The pretzels are the start of the show. I buy the thin pretzels and sometimes I will use the everything seasoning which is a fun change. You can use any smaller pretzel that is a twist or stick. You can use gluten-free pretzels for a gluten-free chicken tender. You will want to create a fine pretzel mixture by using a food processor or small blender.
 How Do You Make Pretzel Crusted Chicken |
Step 1. Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a shallow bowl whisk together ½ cup honey mustard dressing , 2 eggs and ½ teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon garlic powder and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
Step2. Coat Chicken in Egg Wash: Add your raw chicken to the egg wash to coat.
Step3. Create Breading: Place the pretzels in a bowl and break up the pretzels to a fine consistency using a small bowl and meat mallet or food processor. Mix the crushed pretzels with the bread crumbs and remaining paprika, garlic salt and teaspoon pepper.
Step4. Coat Chicken with Breading: Coat each tender in the pretzel coating and set aside. Spray the inside of your air fryer basket with olive oil, avocado oil or nonstick spray.
Step5. Air Fry Chicken: Place chicken tenders in a single layer, not touching in the basket. I can do about 4 in my basket. Spray the tops of the tenders with oil.
Air fry at 400 for 5-6 minutes, flip and air fry another 5-6 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F and the pretzel crust is golden brown. Repeat with remaining tenders. Serve with the honey-mustard mixture, hot honey mustard, spicy brown mustard or dijon mustard. Store the leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
What Should I Serve with This Pretzel Crusted Chicken |
- Salads are a great addition to your dinner. They help you to feel full and satisfied. Some of my go-to recipes are Lemon Arugula Salad with Pine NutsMediterranean Bean SaladEasy Lebanese Salad or anItalian Salad
- Vegetable side dishes are an easy way to add nutrition to your meals. We love this easy Roasted BroccoliTurmeric Caulifloweror Skillet Green Beans.
- Potatoes are another favorite at our table. We often make these Smashed Gouda PotatoesSpicy Lebanese Potatoes and Crispy Garlic Potatoes
Storage Tips |
- You can store the leftovers in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- If you do need to store leftovers just reheat in the air fryer or a skillet before eating. The air fryer will help to crisp them up again.
Pretzel Crusted Chicken Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
Description
This Pretzel Crusted Chicken Recipe takes your favorite chicken tender recipe and puts a crunchy twist on them.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken tenderloins
- 1/2 cup honey mustard dressing
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp. paprika (divided)
- 1 tsp. garlic powder (divided)
- 1/2 tsp. pepper (divided)
- 1 cup regular bread crumbs
- 2 cups everything bagel seasoned thin pretzels ( {or regular thin pretzels}, finely crushed)
- Spray oil
- Honey mustard (for dipping)
Instructions
- In a shallow dish whisk together ½ cup honey mustard dressing, 2 eggs and 1/2 tsp. paprika, 1/2 tsp. garlic powder and 1/4 tsp. pepper.
- Add your chicken tenders to the egg mixture to coat.
- Crush up the pretzels to a fine consistency (I used a food processor).
- Mix the crushed pretzels with the bread crumbs and remaining paprika, garlic salt and pepper.
- Coat each tender in the pretzel mix and set aside. Spray the inside of your air fryer basket with oil.
- Place chicken tenders in a single layer, not touching in the basket. I can do about 4 in my basket. Spray the tops of the tenders with oil.
- Air fry at 400 for 5-6 minutes, flip and air fry another 5-6 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. Repeat with remaining tenders. Serve with honey mustard dipping sauce.
- To Bake these Pretzel Chicken Tenders:
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Chicken
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 622 kcal
