It’s ready in just 30 minutes.

He prepared pretzel-crusted fried chicken tenders with a spicy honey mustard sauce for an audience of jubilant middle-aged women.

Truly a day to remember.

pretzel chicken with a side of cole-slaw and a bowl of honey dijon, all on a plate

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

While the show didnt last long, I havent forgotten those chicken tenders.

Turns out, pretzels are an awesome way to add tantalizing crunch to chicken.

Bonus: using them as breading is a great way to use up a languishing open bag of pretzels.

pretzel chicken on a plate with a bowl of sweet dijon mayo

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

This method works with regular and gluten-free pretzels and can be pan-fried or air-fried.

If you end up with leftovers, consider reheating them in the air fryer until warmed and re-crisped.

you might also bread the chicken and, instead of frying, freeze them for later.

close-up: pretzel chicken on a plate with a bowl of sweet dijon mayo

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

To freeze, lay the breaded cutlets in a single layer on a baking sheet.

Freeze them until firm, about an hour.

Transfer to a freezer-safe bag and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

pretzels in a food processor for pretzel chicken recipe

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Stir together the finely ground pretzels, ground mustard, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish.

In a separate shallow dish, whisk together the eggs and 1 tablespoon honey.

Place in a single layer on a plate.

pretzel crumbs in a food processor for pretzel chicken recipe

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Let drain on a paper towel-lined plate.

If needed, cook in 2 batches.

How To Air Fry

you’ve got the option to also air fry pretzel chicken.

dredging ingredients in bowls (wet ingredients on the left, dry ingredients on the right) for pretzel chicken recipe

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Preheat the air fryer to 400F for 5 minutes.

Coat the air fryer basket with cooking spray.

Set aside until ready to use.

chicken cutlets dredged and placed on a plate for pretzel chicken recipe

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Serve cutlets with honey mustard sauce and garnish with parsley, if desired.

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pretzel chicken cutlets pan frying on the stove

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

pretzel chicken flipped and fried in the pan

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

cooked pretzel chicken cutlets resting on a paper towel-lined plate for pretzel chicken recipe

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

honey dijon mayonnaise in a bowl for pretzel chicken recipe

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

plate with pretzel chicken and a bowl of honey djion mayonnaise

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm