Baked Pretzel Popcorn Chicken With Chipotle Honey Mustard Recipe
This baked pretzel popcorn chicken is my go-to because it combines the perfect crunch with a smoky and spicy kick, elevating snack time to an epic experience. Plus, the chipotle honey mustard sauce is just the right mix of sweet and tangy, making every bite irresistibly delicious!
I enjoy making recipes that infuse fun into the kitchen. For instance, creating my Baked Pretzel Popcorn Chicken With Chipotle Honey Mustard brought a lot of joy.
It’s such a delicious dish! The tender chicken breast is brined in buttermilk, then coated in crushed pretzels (for crunch!) and baked.
In lieu of the sauce, use only a package of picked pepper jack cheese for a milder and more family-friendly dish.
Ingredients
Chicken breast:
Meat that is high in protein and low in fat keeps you feeling full longer.
Buttermilk:
Imparts a sharp taste; makes chicken tender for moist, well-flavored bites.
Pretzels:
Crisp exterior; serves up carbs and a hint of salinity.
Smoked paprika:
Rich, intense flavor; gives the dish a touch of warmth.
Honey mustard:
The flavor is sweet and tangy.
It is an excellent balance of spicy, honey, and mustard flavors.
Chipotle chili powder:
Provides a heat and flavor that’s downright toasty; superb for people who like spice.
Ingredient Quantities
- 1 pound chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups pretzels, finely crushed
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon water
- Cooking spray or oil, for baking sheet
- 1/2 cup honey mustard
- 1 tablespoon chipotle chili powder
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
Instructions
1. In a big bowl, mix the buttermilk, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Add the chicken cubes and toss to coat. Cover and marinate the chicken in the buttermilk mixture for at least 30 minutes.
2. The oven should be preheated to 400°F (200°C), and a baking sheet should be lined with parchment paper. The parchment should be lightly sprayed or oiled.
3. Place the finely crushed pretzels in a shallow dish. Put the flour in a separate dish. In a third dish, beat the eggs and water together.
4. Take the chicken from the marinade, letting the excess drip off. Dredge each cube of chicken in flour; dip it in the egg mixture; then coat it with the crushed pretzels. Press gently to help the pretzels stick.
5. Place the breaded chicken parts in a single layer on the baking sheet that has been prepared.
6. Mist the tops of the chicken with cooking spray or drizzle on a bit of oil.
7. Cook in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is completely done and the outside is a crisp, golden brown.
8. As the chicken bakes, mix the honey mustard, chipotle chili powder, honey, and mayonnaise in a small bowl until smooth to prepare the chipotle honey mustard.
9. When the chicken is finished, take it from the oven and allow it to cool for a short while.
10. Present the chipotle honey mustard dipping sauce for the baked pretzel popcorn chicken. Relish!
Equipment Needed
1. Large mixing bowl
2. Measuring spoons
3. Measuring cups
4. Whisk
5. Spoon or spatula
6. Plastic wrap or lid (to cover the bowl)
7. Oven
8. Baking sheet
9. Parchment paper
10. Cooking spray or oil
11. Three shallow dishes or plates
12. Fork or small whisk (to beat eggs and water)
13. Tongs or fork (for handling chicken)
14. Small mixing bowl (for sauce)
15. Spoon or small whisk (for mixing sauce)
FAQ
- Can I use a different cut of chicken for this recipe?Certainly! Chicken thighs can replace chicken breasts. Just ensure the following:
– The thighs are boneless.
– The thighs are cut into 1-inch cubes. - Can I make this recipe gluten-free?Certainly! To meet dietary restrictions, use pretzels that are gluten-free and a gluten-free flour blend when making this recipe.
- How should I crush the pretzels?They can be pulsed in a food processor or placed in a zip-top bag and crushed with a rolling pin until finely ground.
- Is there a substitute for buttermilk?In the absence of buttermilk, stir together 1 cup of milk with 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice or vinegar, and let it stand for 5 minutes.
- How spicy is the chipotle honey mustard?The sauce has a heat level that ranges from mild to medium. Alter the amount of chipotle chili powder to suit your taste for spice.
- Can I prepare the chipotle honey mustard ahead of time?You can prepare the sauce as much as 2 days ahead of time and keep it in the fridge.
- What can I do with leftover pretzel popcorn chicken?You can refrigerate any unconsumed parts of this meal in a sealed container for 3 days at most and still enjoy those parts of the meal. To retain as much crispiness as possible, reheat any such parts in the oven.
Substitutions and Variations
To make buttermilk, use the following ingredients: 1 cup of milk mixed with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar. After combining, let it sit for 5 minutes to sour.
To replace smoked paprika, you can use the same amount of either regular paprika or chipotle powder for a flavor that has smokiness.
To coat the pretzels: Use an equal amount of crushed cornflakes or panko breadcrumbs.
To make honey mustard: Use 1/4 cup Dijon mustard, 1/4 cup honey, and a splash of vinegar—this is the amount needed to replace honey mustard in the main recipe.
To substitute for the chipotle chili powder, use an equal amount of cayenne pepper for heat. Adjust to taste.
Pro Tips
1. Marination Time: For even more flavor, consider marinating the chicken in the buttermilk mixture overnight in the refrigerator. It will help tenderize the chicken and impart deeper flavor.
2. Crushed Pretzel Texture: Use a food processor to achieve a consistent fine pretzel crumb. Larger pieces can cause an uneven coating that might not stick properly during baking.
3. Double Dredging: For an extra crispy coating, try double dredging the chicken pieces. After coating them in pretzels, dip them back into the egg wash and again into the pretzels.
4. Even Coating Tip: Make sure each piece of chicken is uniformly coated with the flour, egg, and pretzel mixture. Gently pressing the pretzels onto the chicken helps them adhere better and remain attached during cooking.
5. Rest Before Baking: After coating the chicken, allow the breaded pieces to rest on a wire rack for 10 minutes before baking. This helps the coating to set and will result in a crispier finish.
Baked Pretzel Popcorn Chicken With Chipotle Honey Mustard Recipe
My favorite Baked Pretzel Popcorn Chicken With Chipotle Honey Mustard Recipe
Equipment Needed:
1. Large mixing bowl
2. Measuring spoons
3. Measuring cups
4. Whisk
5. Spoon or spatula
6. Plastic wrap or lid (to cover the bowl)
7. Oven
8. Baking sheet
9. Parchment paper
10. Cooking spray or oil
11. Three shallow dishes or plates
12. Fork or small whisk (to beat eggs and water)
13. Tongs or fork (for handling chicken)
14. Small mixing bowl (for sauce)
15. Spoon or small whisk (for mixing sauce)
Ingredients:
- 1 pound chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups pretzels, finely crushed
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon water
- Cooking spray or oil, for baking sheet
- 1/2 cup honey mustard
- 1 tablespoon chipotle chili powder
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
Instructions:
1. In a big bowl, mix the buttermilk, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Add the chicken cubes and toss to coat. Cover and marinate the chicken in the buttermilk mixture for at least 30 minutes.
2. The oven should be preheated to 400°F (200°C), and a baking sheet should be lined with parchment paper. The parchment should be lightly sprayed or oiled.
3. Place the finely crushed pretzels in a shallow dish. Put the flour in a separate dish. In a third dish, beat the eggs and water together.
4. Take the chicken from the marinade, letting the excess drip off. Dredge each cube of chicken in flour; dip it in the egg mixture; then coat it with the crushed pretzels. Press gently to help the pretzels stick.
5. Place the breaded chicken parts in a single layer on the baking sheet that has been prepared.
6. Mist the tops of the chicken with cooking spray or drizzle on a bit of oil.
7. Cook in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is completely done and the outside is a crisp, golden brown.
8. As the chicken bakes, mix the honey mustard, chipotle chili powder, honey, and mayonnaise in a small bowl until smooth to prepare the chipotle honey mustard.
9. When the chicken is finished, take it from the oven and allow it to cool for a short while.
10. Present the chipotle honey mustard dipping sauce for the baked pretzel popcorn chicken. Relish!
