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Effortless After-School Snack: Pretzel Crusted Chicken Tenders with Blackberry Honey Mustard Sauce
Do you ever find yourself staring into the pantry, desperately searching for a new and exciting snack that will actually satisfy your kids after a long school day? The struggle is real. Around 3 PM, when the school bell rings, little tummies often rumble with a hunger that regular snacks just can’t conquer. They’ve likely eaten lunch hours ago, and by the time they hop into the car, they’re often experiencing a serious case of the “hangries.” As parents, we’re constantly on the hunt for delicious, easy-to-prepare options that break the monotony of the same old routine.
If you’re tired of serving up the usual suspects and want to delight your children with something truly special, look no further! We’ve got a fantastic solution that’s both fun to make and incredibly tasty: these Pretzel Crusted Chicken Tenders. Picture this: succulent chicken tender strips, coated in crispy Goldfish® Pretzel Crackers, baked to golden perfection, and served alongside a vibrant, sweet, and tangy Blackberry Honey Mustard dipping sauce that your kids will absolutely adore. It’s a game-changer for snack time and even makes for a fantastic weeknight dinner!
The Universal Challenge: Battling After-School Hunger
Every parent knows the scene: the moment you pick up your child from school, often just hours after their lunch, they immediately declare they’re “starving!” My son, for instance, finishes kindergarten around 3 PM, having eaten lunch at 11 AM. That’s a long stretch for a growing child, and by the time he gets into my car, his energy levels are depleted, and his appetite is at an all-time high. While I try to be prepared with homemade trail mix packs filled with his favorite almonds, dried cranberries, and a few chocolate chips, life happens. Sometimes I forget, or my daughter and I might even sneak a few while waiting for him – sorry, kiddo!
Convenient, grab-and-go snacks are a lifesaver. Both of my children are huge fans of Goldfish® Crackers, so tossing a handful into a snack baggie with some other goodies is a go-to. I often prepare five to seven of these snack packs on Monday mornings, making it easy to just grab one and head out the door each day of the week. They’re perfect for those immediate hunger pangs and keep everyone happy until we can get home for something more substantial. However, even the most beloved snacks can become a bit monotonous over time. Kids crave variety, and as a parent, I’m always brainstorming ways to keep snack time exciting without adding extra stress to my already busy schedule.
From Simple Snack to Culinary Creation: The Inspiration
One afternoon, as I was contemplating new ideas to inject some fun into our after-school routine, a thought sparked: how could I transform one of their absolute favorite snacks, Goldfish® Crackers, into something more substantial, easy to prepare, and utterly delicious? The answer came to me in a flash: Pretzel Crusted Chicken Tenders. The idea was simple yet brilliant – utilizing the satisfying crunch and salty flavor of Goldfish® Pretzel Crackers as a unique breading for chicken tenders, pairing it with a homemade dipping sauce. This recipe promised to be an easy, fun, and memorable after-school treat that could even double as a light dinner.
A Family Affair: Our Love for Goldfish® Crackers
It’s no secret that our entire family adores Goldfish® Crackers. Whenever I pour a bowl for my children, I inevitably find myself reaching for a handful before I even hand it to them. My kids will often exclaim, “Mom, don’t eat all my Crackers!” only for me to then casually stroll back into the kitchen and pour myself a separate bowl. It’s a ritual that happens every single time, a testament to their irresistible appeal across all ages. There’s just something about that cheesy, crispy, perfectly snackable cracker that transcends generational boundaries.
While my kids and husband are loyal fans of the classic cheddar flavor, I personally have a soft spot for the pretzel variety. Imagine my delight when I discovered that Walmart now carries a new Goldfish® Mix, featuring both cheddar and pretzel crackers in one convenient package! How amazing is that? It’s the best of both worlds, perfectly catering to diverse family preferences and making snack time even more exciting. For this particular recipe, however, I was on a mission to create the ultimate Pretzel Crusted Chicken Tenders. So, for the sake of simplicity and ensuring I had plenty of pretzel crackers, I picked up separate cartons of pretzel and cheddar Goldfish® Crackers. But rest assured, next time I’ll definitely be grabbing the mix for general snacking – it’s just too convenient to pass up!
Crafting the Perfect Pretzel Crusted Chicken Tenders
With my Goldfish® Pretzel Crackers in hand, I headed home, eager to put my new after-school snack idea to the test. The goal was to create something crispy, flavorful, and genuinely exciting for my son. I opted for chicken breast tenders, which are incredibly convenient as they come pre-cut into strips. However, you can easily use boneless, skinless chicken breasts and slice them into tenders or even small chunks if you prefer to make bite-sized chicken nuggets. The flexibility of this recipe allows you to adapt it to your family’s preferences and what you have on hand.
Setting Up Your Breading Station for Success
The key to perfectly coated chicken tenders lies in an efficient breading station. An easy mnemonic to remember the sequence is F-E-B: Flour, Egg, Breadcrumb. In this delightful twist, our “breadcrumb” is none other than the crushed Goldfish® Pretzel Crackers. To make this a smarter snack choice, I opted for whole wheat flour and egg whites, ensuring a slightly healthier profile without compromising on taste or texture.
Here’s how to set up your breading station for optimal results:
- **Flour:** In your first shallow dish, place about ⅓ cup of whole wheat flour. This initial coating helps the egg adhere to the chicken.
- **Egg:** In your second shallow dish, whisk together three egg whites. The egg acts as the binder, allowing the crushed crackers to stick.
- **Goldfish® Pretzel Crackers:** In your third shallow dish, you’ll have your star ingredient. Crush about 3 ounces of Goldfish® Pretzel Crackers. You can do this by pulsing them in a food processor until they resemble coarse breadcrumbs, or by placing them in a Ziploc bag and crushing them with a rolling pin. The goal is a fine, crunchy texture that will create an excellent crust.
Dip each chicken tender first into the flour, shaking off any excess. Then, coat it thoroughly in the egg wash, allowing any extra to drip off. Finally, press the tender firmly into the crushed Goldfish® Pretzel Crackers, ensuring it’s completely coated. Really pat those crackers in to create a robust, flavorful crust!
Baking for Crispy Perfection
Once all the chicken tenders are beautifully breaded, it’s time for baking. Baking these tenders not only makes them healthier than frying but also minimizes mess and simplifies the cooking process. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup, and place a wire rack on top, lightly sprayed with cooking spray. This setup allows air to circulate around the tenders, ensuring an even, crispy crust on all sides. Arrange your coated tenders on the wire rack and bake for approximately 20 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C) to ensure food safety.
The Secret Weapon: Homemade Blackberry Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce
While the chicken tenders were baking, I quickly whipped up the star of the show’s accompaniment: the Blackberry Honey Mustard dipping sauce. This sauce is a truly delicious and unique pairing for the salty pretzel crust. In a medium-sized bowl, I combined mayonnaise, sugar-free blackberry jam (for a touch of fruitiness without excessive sweetness), classic yellow mustard for that tangy kick, a hint of BBQ sauce for depth, pure honey for natural sweetness, and a pinch of salt to balance the flavors. A quick whisk to combine all the ingredients, and voilà – a surprisingly delicious and vibrant sauce ready to elevate our Pretzel Crusted Chicken Tenders.
Please don’t be deterred by the deep, rich color of this sauce; its flavor profile is absolutely divine and pairs wonderfully with the savory, salty crunch of the chicken tenders. It’s an easy-peasy recipe that yields an amazingly delicious result, proving that sometimes the most unexpected combinations create the most delightful flavors.
A Taste Test That Exceeded Expectations
Woah, can I just say, I wish I had these growing up as a kid for my afternoon snack! The Goldfish® Pretzel Crackers proved to be the absolute perfect coating for these chicken tenders. They provided a wonderfully salty, crunchy, and distinctive crust that married beautifully with the complex notes of the blackberry honey mustard sauce. As someone who absolutely adores the combination of sweet and salty flavors, this dish hit all the right notes. Each bite delivered a delightful contrast: the savory, crispy chicken with its pretzel crunch, followed by the sweet, tangy, and subtly spicy warmth of the dipping sauce. It was a flavor explosion that truly delighted my palate, offering a sophisticated twist on a classic comfort food.
Kid-Approved and Family-Favorite: A New Mealtime Tradition
I eagerly awaited my son’s return from school that afternoon, excited to see his reaction to this new culinary creation. We served the Pretzel Crusted Chicken Tenders with fresh apple slices and a glass of milk, making for a balanced and satisfying snack. And guess what? He absolutely LOVED them! He was genuinely surprised and thought it was incredibly cool that his chicken tenders were coated in his favorite Goldfish® Pretzel Crackers! My son is quite the “dipper” when it comes to his food, and he especially enjoyed how the blackberry honey mustard sauce offered a lovely sweet element, thanks to that touch of honey. His enthusiastic approval was the best reward.
The success of the after-school snack was so resounding that we decided to make more together as a family that very evening. My son enthusiastically helped out in the kitchen, and we enjoyed the tenders for dinner, eager to show Daddy how much fun it was to eat chicken coated in Goldfish® Pretzel Crackers! Daddy was also a big fan, and my daughter gave her seal of approval too. This made our Pretzel Crusted Chicken Tenders with Blackberry Honey Mustard Sauce an undeniable win-win for our entire family, earning them a permanent spot in our dinner rotation. It’s not often that a new recipe garners such universal enthusiasm, making for one very happy mama!
6 votes
Pretzel Crusted Chicken Tenders with Blackberry Honey Mustard Sauce
Author Strawberry Blondie Kitchen
Kids starving after school and you’re tired of feeding them the same ole snack? Try these Pretzel Crusted Chicken Tenders. Chicken Tender strips are coated in Goldfish® Pretzel Crackers, baked in the oven and served with a delicious Blackberry honey mustard sauce dipping sauce my kids love!
Ingredients
- (Chicken Tenders)
- 1 lb chicken tenders
- ⅓ cup flour (I used whole wheat)
- 3 eggs whites
- 3 ounces Goldfish® Pretzel Crackers, crushed
- (Blackberry Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce)
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup Blackberry jam, I used sugar free
- 2 tablespoons BBQ Sauce
- 1 Tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 1/2 teaspoons honey
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line the bottom of a sheet pan with foil and place a wire rack on top, sprayed with cooking spray
- Set up your breading station and dip each chicken tender into the flour, then egg and finally into the Goldfish® Pretzel Crackers. (Be sure to really pat in the crackers so it thoroughly coats each tender)
- Place coated tenders onto wire rack and bake for 20 minutes.
- While the chicken tenders are baking, prepare your dipping sauce.
- Add all ingredients to a medium size bowl and whisk to combine.
Beyond the Snack Plate: Versatility and Culinary Ideas
These Pretzel Crusted Chicken Tenders are more than just a delicious snack; their versatility makes them a fantastic addition to various meal scenarios. They’re perfect as a satisfying after-school snack, providing a much-needed protein boost. For dinner, they can be paired with a fresh green salad or some steamed vegetables for a complete and wholesome family meal. They also make an impressive appetizer at parties or gatherings – imagine serving these alongside the unique Blackberry Honey Mustard Sauce, creating a memorable culinary experience for your guests.
And speaking of that incredible sauce, I seriously want to put it on everything! The sweet and tangy profile with a hint of savory makes it incredibly adaptable. I’m already thinking about slathering it on a ham and cheese sandwich for a fantastic flavor upgrade. It could also be a delicious glaze for pork, a dressing for a chicken salad, or even a dipping sauce for roasted vegetables. Don’t be afraid to experiment with this flavorful condiment!
Creating Joy in the Kitchen and at the Dinner Table
What truly elevated this recipe for me wasn’t just its delicious taste, but the positive impact it had on our family dynamic. My son was so genuinely excited about the Goldfish® Pretzel Crackers coating that he eagerly wanted to help me in the kitchen. This interactive experience transformed dinner preparation into a joyful activity, fostering a love for cooking and new flavors. For once, dinner time was a breeze – there were no arguments or pleas to “just take one more bite.” He enthusiastically ate every last piece, proudly declaring it the best dinner (and snack) he had ever had! Moments like these, where food brings genuine smiles and shared enthusiasm, are priceless for any parent. This recipe truly makes for one happy mama, knowing my kids are well-fed, happy, and even engaging with food in a positive way.
Join the Goldfish® Smiles Community!
Ready to discover even more creative and delicious ways to keep your kids in the mix? Goldfish® Crackers are all about inspiring fun and flavor. You can explore a wealth of other fantastic recipes and engaging ideas by visiting their website, connecting with their community on Facebook, checking out their visually appealing posts on Instagram, or following them on Twitter. These platforms are brimming with inspiration to get your kids excited about helping in the kitchen, making smarter snack choices, and discovering new and tasty ways to enjoy Goldfish® Crackers beyond just the snack bowl!
Your Culinary Journey Continues
We hope you and your family enjoy these Pretzel Crusted Chicken Tenders as much as we do. They truly are a delightful solution for those never-ending after-school hunger pangs and a fantastic addition to any family meal. If you try out this recipe, we would absolutely love to see your creations! Please share a photo on social media and tag it with #strawberryblondiekitchen. It brings us so much joy to see what delicious dishes you cook up in your own kitchens!