This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Cheddar and Pretzel Crusted Baked Chicken is a quick, weeknight chicken dinner recipe that your entire family will love! Kids love the pretzel taste and texture on this fun play on the classic chicken tender!
Cheddar and Pretzel Crusted Baked Chicken is a grown up take on the classic chicken tender. My kids, just like most kiddos, absolutely love chicken fingers, but I am a mean mom and don’t like making those prepackaged frozen chicken tenders for dinner. While homemade chicken tenders take a little more work, the end result is definitely worth it!
I have had pretzel crusted chicken a few times at restaurants and love the crunchy, salty coating on the chicken. I knew my family would love it, so I adapted an easy version for at home. I decided to add some cheddar to the breading because everyone loves cheese!
I served my chicken tenders with an amazing sriracha cheddar cheese sauce but they are also so good with my skinny buffalo chicken dipping sauce. My kids love to dip them in ketchup, too!
If you don’t have a food processor to make the pretzel crumbs, just throw them into a plastic baggie and crunch them up! Your kids will love helping with this step! You can make the pretzel crumbs as fine or as crunchy as you’d like. I process mine most of the way until they resemble bread crumbs, but like to leave a few pieces bigger so you can that pretzel texture.
Chicken is always my go to for dinner but I never want it to be boring or bland. These Cheddar and Pretzel Crusted Baked Chicken will become a family favorite! Fast, flavorful, and easy, your will be happy to serve your family these homemade chicken tenders all the time!
These other weeknight chicken dinners are always a hit at my house!
- Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs
- French Onion Chicken Casserole with Green Beans
- Chicken Parmesan Meatball Casserole
- Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
- Barbecue Chicken, Pineapple and Bacon French Bread Pizza
Cheddar and Pretzel Crusted Baked Chicken
Ingredients
- 8-10 chicken tenders
- 2 cups of pretzels crushed
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 2 eggs beaten
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
- In a shallow dish, mix together pretzels, panko, cheddar cheese, salt, garlic powder, and pepper. In another shallow dish, mix together egg and dijon.
- Dredge chicken in egg mixture then pretzel mixture, coating well.
- Place chicken on a baking sheet. Spray chicken with non-stick spray to help brown.
- Bake for 12-14 mixtures, or until cooked through. Serve warm.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Looking for more kid friendly chicken dinner recipes?
Chicken Parmesan Meatball Casserole
One Pan Chicken Tortilla Casserole
I cant wait too try these. My daughter is so picky, but she does like chicken, and Like you I do not like buying the frozen kind.
Looks so delicious and crunchy! I bet kids will love these!