Pretzel Crusted Chicken Nuggets with Easy Cheddar Dipping Sauce

Ingredients

oil, for greasing pan

2 cups panko crumbs

2 cups salted pretzel crumbs*

coarse salt and fresh ground black pepper

1 + 1/2 pounds boneless chicken breasts

2 eggs

1/2 cup all-purpose flour, plus more if needed

Dipping Sauce:

1 tablespoon butter

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

1 cup milk

1 teaspoon dijon mustard, optional

1 heaping cup fresh shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400° F. Lightly grease a large, non-stick baking sheet or roasting pan. If you don't have a non-stick pan line a regular pan with parchment and lightly grease with oil.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat toast the panko crumbs until lightly golden, stirring constantly. Remove from the pan and allow to cool.
3. In a food processor pulse pretzels until coarsely ground in batches if needed until you get about 2 cups of crumbs (small crumbs with some small pretzel pieces) then add them to a medium bowl and mix with the panko crumbs.
4. Cut the chicken into one and a half to two-inch sized cubes. Season with salt and pepper.
Set up a dredging station:
5. Beat the eggs with 2 tablespoons water in a wide shallow dish, add the flour to a separate wide plate and add half the pretzel mixture to a large, shallow bowl or dish (add more pretzel mixture as needed).
6. Working one at a time and using tongs dredge the chicken in the flour then into the eggs allowing excess to drip off then into the pretzel crumbs patting them on if needed. Place on greased baking sheet.
7. Bake 12 - 18 minutes depending on their thickness until lightly golden and cooked through (internal temperature 165 - 174 degrees F.).
While the chicken bakes make the sauce:
8. In a small saucepan melt the butter over medium-low heat. Whisk in the flour and cook 2 minutes continuously whisking. Slowly whisk in the milk and mustard, if using, then turn the heat up and bring to a simmer for 2 minutes, whisking often.
9. Turn heat down to low and add the cheddar cheese whisk until completely melted. Remove from heat. Season lightly with salt and pepper.

Notes

http://www.cinnamonspiceandeverythingnice.com/pretzel-crusted-chicken-nuggets-cheese-dipping-sauce/

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