These Pretzel Crusted Chicken Nuggets with Mustard Dipping Sauce are the perfect little game day appetizer!
Ok. So where did January go guys?
We cruised through the month and now we’re just days away from Super Bowl LIV. Can you believe it? And then less than two weeks after the Super Bowl it’s one of my favorite holidays, Valentine’s Day!
So today I’m sharing a delicious little appy for your Super Bowl party and soon I’ll be sharing a sweet treat for your special Valentine, so stay tuned.
This year my team did not make it to the big game, so I’m in it solely for the food. #SorryNotSorry
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve made these Pretzel Crusted Chicken Nuggets with Mustard Dipping Sauce for family and friends for our football parties and each and every time they disappear lickety split!
I do a salt water brine for the chicken for half and hour to ensure the nuggets are super moist and juicy. And let me tell you, that brine makes all the difference.
What does a salt water brine do?
A salt water brine causes the chicken to absorb some of the water through osmosis, therefore making it moister when it’s cooked.
When the chicken is done brining, just drain and pat dry and then fill up three different shallow bowls with flour, beaten eggs and crushed pretzels. Coat in flour, then dip in egg and then coat generously in the crushed pretzels. I’m addicted to pretzels, so that pretzel coating is my preferred way to cook my nuggets.
The nuggets go fabulously with my mustard dipping sauce which is a simple combination of mayo, three different kinds of mustard, honey for sweetness and vinegar for some tang and a few spices. I always make extra sauce and keep it in the fridge as a dipping sauce for not only chicken, but for veggies and as a topping for sandwiches.
Get these on your Super Bowl party menu folks! You’re gonna love ’em!! Enjoy!
A few other favorite appys you may want to include are my Cheesy Mexican Chorizo Dip, my Roasted Red Pepper White Bean Hummus (my fave!), and my Baked Spicy Dry Rub Wings with White BBQ Sauce.
A Few Cook’s Notes for Pretzel Crusted Chicken Nuggets with Mustard Dipping Sauce Recipe:
Don’t skip the salt water brine, please. It takes just 30 minutes and it really makes a difference. Your chicken will have much more flavor and will be incredibly juicy.
I thought three tablespoons of honey was just enough for the mustard dipping sauce. If you want to start with two and then taste test before adding the third you can try that.
Pretzel Crusted Chicken Nuggets with Mustard Dipping Sauce
Print Recipe Pin RecipeIngredients
Mustard Dipping Sauce
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 Tbsp. yellow mustard
- 1 Tbsp. spicy brown mustard
- 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
- 3 Tbsp. honey
- 1 tsp. vinegar
- 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/8 tsp. salt
- 1/8 tsp. pepper
Chicken Nuggets
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast, about 2 pounds, cut into 1 1/2-2-inch chunks
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- salt and pepper
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup pretzel crumbs
- olive oil for frying
Instructions
Salt Water Chicken Brine
- Fill a bowl with 6 cups cold water and 3 tablespoons kosher salt. Add chicken pieces. Mix well. Let chicken sit in brine for 30 minutes. While chicken is brining make the mustard dipping sauce.
Mustard Dipping Sauce
- Combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Whisk together until smooth. Refrigerate until you're ready to use.
Chicken Nuggets
- Drain the brine from the bowl and pat the chicken pieces dry. Place flour, eggs and pretzel crumbs in three separate shallow bowls. First dip a few nuggets in the flour, shaking off excess, then into the egg and then into the pretzel crumbs, turning to coat and pressing the crumbs into the pieces. Repeat for all nuggets. Place the coated nuggets on a large platter or baking sheet.
- Heat 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat in a large 12-inch skillet until oil is shimmering and hot. Add chicken, a few pieces at a time, and cook until lightly browned and cooked through, about 2-3 minutes per side. Instant-read thermometer should read 165 degrees when inserted in center of nugget, I just slice one in half to check. Repeat with all the remaining nuggets adding more olive oil to the skillet as needed. Drain on a paper towel. Serve with mustard dipping sauce.
I love the sound of a pretzel crust! I’m adding these to my Super Bowl menu–I’m in it for the food this year too :)
So tasty Kelsie! I’m addicted to pretzels so I always opt for pretzel crumbs over regular bread crumbs for our nuggets or tenders. Hope you enjoy them if you give them a try.
Yep, I’d show up just for the food, too, if this is being served!! Such a fun nugget!
Perfect with the mustard dipping sauce Annie!
This sounds delicious and perfect football watching food, for sure! The food is always the best part of Super Bowl Sunday, in my opinion :)
Agreed! And the commercials!
I’m loving this crunchy pretzel crust, Mary Ann! Game Day perfection!
Hope you have a wonderful week!
You too Marissa! Thanks so much!
Like you, Mary Ann, this year I’m totally just showing up for the food! (Ok, even when my team plays, the food is the real reason I watch!). I love the idea of the pretzel crust, (and those pretzels look dang good!). And that mustard dip is definitely one I could spread on any sandwich! Yum!
Lol! Enjoy the food Laura!
I have no idea where January went, but I was literally just thinking this year is already flying by SO fast! Before you know it, it’s going to be the end of summer. Gah!!! Anyways, the Mr. And I loooove chicken nuggets! I just showed him these pretzel covered beauties and he said, “we are making those!!”. Can’t wait to get these in my belly! Extra Mustard Dipping Sauce for me!!!!! Pinned!
Hope you guys give them a try Chey! They’re perfect with the mustard sauce!
These look perfectly dippable, Mary Ann! My kiddos would love these! And I cannot BELIEVE January is almost over. How is this possible!?
I bet they would Katherine. I know! I can’t believe the month is almost over!
I’m planning all my game day watching recipes and this one is on my list! I love the pretzel crust and that dipping sauce looks perfect.
I’m so happy to hear that Kathy! Enjoy!
Sadly, my team did not make it either, but these pretzel chicken nuggets would more than allow me to forget this fact while watching the game. Yum yum yum!
Hope you give them a try Matt! Guaranteed they’re a hit!
Chicken and mustard has always been a combination I have loved – and I am so here for the pretzel crust. Can’t wait to try!
Hope you enjoy them as much as we do Alex!
I love these good looking chicken nuggets. I agree with you, brining the chicken makes all the difference. I have to try your pretzel crust. Pinned!
My son Sean made them the other night by himself Gerlinde and loved them!
Oh my GAH! I’m here for the food Mare! These little nuggets are genius and that dipping sauce sounds absolutely fabulous!
Sean and Casey love them! Tom too!
Mary Ann, I am Making them today for ta super bowl party. They look incredible!
Hope you enjoy them Susan! Our son Sean just made them too!