Pretzel-Crusted Chicken and Zucchini Strips with Cheddar-Spicy Mustard Dipping Sauce

Ingredients

1 bag of salted pretzels, any shape
3 sprigs of fresh thyme, leaves removed
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 eggs
2 small, boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips 1/2-inch thick
2 medium to large zucchini, cut in quarters lengthwise then into strips 3 to 4 inches long
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) (eyeball it)
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
2 cups milk

3/4 pound (about 2 1/2 cups) sharp yellow cheddar cheese, shredded
2 heaping tablespoons spicy brown mustard, such as Gulden’s
3 large carrots, peeled and cut into 3 to 4-inch sticks
3 celery stalks, cut into 3 to 4-inch sticks
2 large sour dill pickles

Yields: 5-6 servings

Preparation

Preheat oven to 200°F.

Place the pretzels in a food processor or blender and grind until fine. Transfer the ground pretzels to a shallow dish, add the thyme and some pepper, and mix to combine. Crack and beat 2 eggs in a second shallow dish with a splash of water.

Coat the chicken breast and zucchini strips in the ground pretzels, then in egg, then in the pretzels again.

Preheat a large skillet with the EVOO, enough to go 1/4 inch up the sides of the skillet. Add the pretzel-coated chicken breast to the hot oil. Cook in a single layer, in two batches if necessary, about 3-4 minutes on each side, until cutlets' juices run clear and the breading is evenly browned. Transfer the finished chicken strips to the oven to keep warm. Repeat the same process with the zucchini.

While the zucchini is frying, heat a medium saucepot over medium heat, melt butter and add the flour. Cook flour and butter for 1 minute then whisk in the milk. When the milk comes to a bubble, stir in cheese and mustard with a wooden spoon. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, and remove from heat.

Transfer the fried pretzel-crusted chicken and zucchini pieces to a serving plate. Serve the mustard-cheddar sauce, carrot and celery sticks, and pickle spears alongside.