Pretzel Crusted Chicken Breast Tenders with garlicky dipping sauce

By ruthguillo

A crunchy coating from a snack time favorite is sure to win big with the kids -- especially when paired with a creamy garlic dip. Honey mustard would be good too.

Ingredients

• 5 tablespoons yellow cornmeal, divided
• 1/4 cup 1% low-fat milk
• 3 teaspoons Dijon mustard, divided
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1 cup finely crushed unsalted pretzel twists
• 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 8 chicken breast tenders (about 1 1/4 pounds)
• Cooking spray
• 2 teaspoons canola oil
• 1/4 cup canola mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

Preparation

Step 1

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2. Place 4 tablespoons cornmeal in a shallow dish. Combine milk, 2 teaspoons mustard, and egg in a separate shallow dish, stirring with a whisk. Combine pretzels, remaining 1 tablespoon cornmeal, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, sugar, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and pepper in a third shallow dish, stirring with a whisk. Lightly dredge chicken in cornmeal, dip in milk mixture, and dredge in pretzel mixture, pressing gently to coat chicken with cooking spray.

3. Heat a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add chicken; cook 3 minutes or until browned. Turn chicken over, and place pan in oven. Bake at 375 degrees for 7 minutes or until done.

4. While chicken cooks, combine mayonnaise, yogurt, chives, lemon juice, remaining 1 teaspoon mustard, remaining 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and remaining 1/8 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl, stirring with a whisk. Serve sauce with tenders.