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Mustard-Baked Chicken with Pretzel Crust

From Food and Wine magazine, September 2001
According to the magazine: For a crisp topping, it's essential to use thick, hard pretzels, such as the sourdough or handmade varieties.
6 Servings.





List of Ingredients



• 1/2 pound hard pretzels, coarsely crushed (4 cups)
  
• 1/2 cup canola oil
  
• 1/2 cup whole-grain mustard
  
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  
• 1/4 cup water
  
• 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
  
• 6 large skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
  






Instructions



1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. In a food processor, pulse the pretzels until coarsely ground; you should have coarse chunks and fine crumbs. Transfer to a large, shallow bowl.
   
2. Wipe out the food processor. Add the oil, whole-grain and Dijon mustards, water and vinegar and process until smooth. Season the dressing with salt and pepper.
   
3. Pour half of the dressing into a large shallow bowl, add the chicken breasts and turn to coat. Dredge the chicken in the pretzel crumbs and transfer to a rack set over a rimmed baking sheet. Bake in the upper third of the oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until cooked through. Slice the chicken and serve warm or at room temperature with the remaining mustard dressing.
   
4. TO MAKE AHEAD: The baked chicken and dressing can be kept at room temperature for up to 2 hours.
   
5. WINE SUGGESTION: The chicken's crunchy coating and tart-and-creamy mustard dressing suggest a tart, lighter red with direct, fruity flavors. Look for a Pinot Noir from Oregon, such as the 1999 Lange or the 1998 Oak Knoll Vintage Reserve.