Get ready to revolutionize your dinner game with the most irresistible chicken nuggets you've ever tasted! Imagine biting into a perfectly crispy, golden-brown nugget with a pretzel coating so crunchy it'll make your mouth water instantly. These aren't your ordinary chicken nuggets – they're a gourmet twist on a classic comfort food that will have both kids and adults begging for seconds. With a tantalizing honey-mustard dipping sauce that adds the perfect sweet and tangy kick, these nuggets are about to become your new favorite meal.
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- Chicken breast, cut into nuggets
- Pretzel crumbs
- Eggs
- Flour
- Mustard
- Honey
- Salt
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken by cutting boneless, skinless chicken breasts into uniform bite-sized nugget pieces, approximately 1-2 inches in size. Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels to ensure better coating adhesion.
- Set up a three-station breading station: First bowl with all-purpose flour seasoned with salt, second bowl with beaten eggs, third bowl with finely crushed pretzel crumbs.
- Dredge each chicken piece first in seasoned flour, shaking off excess. Then dip into beaten eggs, ensuring complete coverage. Finally, roll in pretzel crumbs, pressing gently to help crumbs adhere completely to the chicken.
- Preheat oven to 425°F (218°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly greased aluminum foil for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
- Arrange breaded chicken nuggets on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each piece to ensure even cooking and crispy exterior.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, turning halfway through, until chicken is golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). The pretzel coating should be crisp and golden.
- While chicken bakes, prepare mustard dipping sauce by whisking together Dijon mustard and honey in a small bowl until smooth and well combined.
- Remove chicken from oven and let rest for 3-5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute and coating to set.
- Serve hot with prepared mustard-honey dipping sauce on the side. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired.
Tips
- Pat the chicken dry before breading to ensure the coating sticks perfectly and creates an extra crispy exterior.
- Use fresh, finely crushed pretzels for the best texture and flavor – stale pretzels can make the coating less crisp.
- Don't overcrowd the baking sheet. Give each nugget space to ensure even cooking and maximum crunchiness.
- Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F for perfectly cooked chicken.
- For an extra flavor boost, add some garlic powder or paprika to your flour mixture.
- If you want an even crispier coating, you can lightly spray the nuggets with cooking spray before baking.
- Let the nuggets rest for a few minutes after cooking to help the coating set and prevent burning your mouth.
- The honey-mustard sauce can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for convenience.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 22g
Protein: 28g
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 85mg
