I love making these Honey Mustard Pretzel Chicken Bowls when I want a meal that’s both crunchy and satisfying. The chicken is coated in crushed pretzels for a crispy texture, then paired with a sweet and tangy honey mustard sauce. I enjoy building these bowls with fresh vegetables and grains, which makes them colorful, hearty, and perfect for lunch or dinner.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love how the pretzel coating gives the chicken an irresistible crunch without deep frying. I get a delicious contrast between the savory crust and the sweet, tangy honey mustard drizzle. I also appreciate how customizable these bowls are. I can mix and match grains, greens, and toppings depending on what I have on hand. It’s a balanced meal that feels fun and flavorful every time I make it.
ingredients
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2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
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1 1/2 cups crushed pretzels
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1/2 cup all-purpose flour
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2 large eggs
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1/2 teaspoon salt
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1/2 teaspoon black pepper
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1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
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1 tablespoon olive oil
For the honey mustard sauce:
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1/4 cup Dijon mustard
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2 tablespoons honey
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1 tablespoon mayonnaise or Greek yogurt
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1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
For the bowls:
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2 cups cooked rice or quinoa
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1 cup shredded lettuce or mixed greens
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1/2 cup shredded carrots
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1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
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1 avocado, sliced
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
directions
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I preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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I season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
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I set up a breading station with flour in one bowl, beaten eggs in another, and crushed pretzels in a third.
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I dredge each piece of chicken in flour, dip it into the eggs, and press it into the crushed pretzels until fully coated.
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I place the coated chicken on the baking sheet, drizzle lightly with olive oil, and bake for about 20–25 minutes until golden and cooked through.
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While the chicken bakes, I whisk together the Dijon mustard, honey, mayonnaise or Greek yogurt, and apple cider vinegar to make the sauce.
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I let the chicken rest for a few minutes after baking, then slice it into strips.
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To assemble the bowls, I divide the rice or quinoa among serving bowls and top with lettuce, carrots, tomatoes, and avocado.
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I place the sliced pretzel chicken on top and drizzle generously with honey mustard sauce before serving.
Servings and timing
I usually get about 4 servings from this recipe.
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 25 minutes
Total time: about 45 minutes
Variations
I sometimes swap rice for farro or cauliflower rice for a lighter option. If I want extra crunch, I add sliced cucumbers or red cabbage. I also like adding a sprinkle of shredded cheese or a handful of roasted corn. For a spicier twist, I stir a little hot sauce into the honey mustard dressing.
storage/reheating
I store the chicken separately from the fresh toppings in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, I warm the chicken in the oven or air fryer to help keep the crust crispy. I assemble the bowls fresh so the vegetables stay crisp and vibrant.
FAQs
Can I air fry the pretzel chicken?
I can cook it in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for about 15–18 minutes, flipping halfway through, until fully cooked and crispy.
What type of pretzels work best?
I prefer using salted mini pretzels or pretzel twists because they crush easily and create a great coating.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
I often prepare the chicken and sauce in advance, then store them separately and assemble the bowls when I’m ready to eat.
How do I keep the coating from falling off?
I press the pretzels firmly onto the chicken and make sure each piece is fully coated in flour and egg before adding the pretzels.
Is this recipe freezer-friendly?
I can freeze the cooked pretzel chicken for up to 2 months. I reheat it in the oven so the coating crisps back up before serving.
Conclusion
I find these Honey Mustard Pretzel Chicken Bowls to be a fun and flavorful way to enjoy a balanced meal. The crunchy chicken, creamy honey mustard sauce, and fresh bowl ingredients come together beautifully. I love how customizable and satisfying this recipe is, and it’s one I enjoy making again and again.
PrintHoney Mustard Pretzel Chicken Bowls
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Crispy oven-baked pretzel-crusted chicken drizzled with sweet and tangy honey mustard sauce, served over hearty grains and fresh vegetables. These colorful bowls are crunchy, satisfying, and perfect for a balanced lunch or dinner.
- Author: Lizaa
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 1/2 cups crushed pretzels
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- For the honey mustard sauce:
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise or Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- For the bowls:
- 2 cups cooked rice or quinoa
- 1 cup shredded lettuce or mixed greens
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 avocado, sliced
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Set up a breading station with flour in one bowl, beaten eggs in another, and crushed pretzels in a third.
- Dredge each chicken breast in flour, dip into the eggs, and press firmly into the crushed pretzels until fully coated.
- Place coated chicken on the baking sheet, drizzle lightly with olive oil, and bake for 20–25 minutes until golden and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F/74°C).
- While the chicken bakes, whisk together Dijon mustard, honey, mayonnaise or Greek yogurt, and apple cider vinegar to make the sauce.
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes, then slice into strips.
- Divide rice or quinoa among bowls and top with lettuce, carrots, tomatoes, and avocado.
- Add sliced pretzel chicken and drizzle generously with honey mustard sauce before serving.
Notes
- Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 15–18 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Press pretzels firmly onto chicken to help the coating stick.
- Swap rice for farro or cauliflower rice for variation.
- Add cucumbers, red cabbage, roasted corn, or shredded cheese for extra texture.
- Store chicken separately from fresh toppings for up to 3 days.
- Freeze cooked chicken for up to 2 months and reheat in the oven for crispiness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 540 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 980 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 62 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg
