Pretzel-Crusted Chicken Bites (Printer View)

Crunchy, golden chicken bites coated in crushed pretzels. Perfect for party platters and family gatherings.

# What you'll need:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound), cut into 1-inch cubes

→ Pretzel Crust

02 - 2 cups salted pretzels, crushed into coarse crumbs
03 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
04 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
05 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Egg Wash

06 - 2 large eggs
07 - 2 tablespoons milk

→ Flour Dredge

08 - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

→ For Baking

09 - 2 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter, for drizzling

# Method:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and lightly grease.
02 - Place crushed pretzels in a shallow dish. Mix in garlic powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper until evenly distributed.
03 - In a second shallow dish, whisk together the eggs and milk until smooth.
04 - Place the all-purpose flour in a third shallow dish.
05 - Pat chicken cubes dry with paper towels. Dredge each piece in flour, then dip into the egg wash, and finally coat thoroughly with pretzel crumbs, pressing gently to ensure adhesion.
06 - Place coated chicken bites onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing pieces apart to allow crisping.
07 - Drizzle chicken bites lightly with olive oil or melted butter to enhance crispness during baking.
08 - Bake for 16–18 minutes, turning once halfway through, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the coating is golden and crisp.
09 - Present hot chicken bites accompanied by your choice of dipping sauces such as honey mustard, ranch, or barbecue.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Quick prep and fast bake makes it easy to whip up even on busy days
  • Crispy coating stays crunchy and never soggy
  • Kid-friendly and perfect for snacks or game day platters
  • No special equipment required uses basic kitchen tools
  • Great with all sorts of dipping sauces for variety
02 -
  • Excellent source of protein and energy
  • Nut-free appetizer safe for most party guests
  • Batches can be made ahead and finished at party time
03 -
  • Crush pretzels by hand inside a zip-top bag for perfect coarse crumbs
  • Dry chicken well before dredging to ensure the coating sticks and stays crisp
  • If doubling the recipe work in batches to avoid crowding the pan for ultimate crunch

Return