Chicken Pretzel Schnitzel for Oktoberfest

by Lora Wiley-Lennartz
This is the third out of five Oktoberfest-inspired posts. Today, I’m deviating geographically southeast of Bavaria to Austria. Consequently, it’s schnitzel time! This Chicken Pretzel Schnitzel is sure to become an Oktoberfest favorite. 
So I’ve already covered an appetizer of Fried Obatzda and a side dish of Bavarian Kraut. Now here is the first main dish of the series.
I’m giving schnitzel the pretzel treatment and marrying Austrian and Bavarian flavors in one dish. This schnitzel features chicken breast. However, you can easily substitute veal, pork, or turkey. The pretzels are crushed in a blender or food processor and substituted for breadcrumbs in coating the schnitzel.

Pretzel sticks

Chicken pretzel schnitzel goes perfectly with the above-mentioned Bavarian sauerkraut. The kraut recipe also comes together quickly. You could make both recipes together in under an hour.
The Chicken Pretzel Schitzel crust is so crunchy and flavorful, you may not ever use breadcrumbs again in future schnitzel making. Hot Bavarian mustard makes a perfect pairing.
Chicken Pretzel Schnitzel

So here’s a quick breakdown of Oktoberfest:

Oktoberfest is a world-famous beer festival in Munich, Germany. It typically starts in late September and runs into the first weekend of October. It’s a massive celebration of Bavarian culture, with plenty of beer, traditional food, music, and fun that draws millions of visitors from all over the globe.

Origins: Oktoberfest began in 1810 to celebrate the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig (later King Ludwig I) to Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. The citizens of Munich were invited to join in the festivities, which included horse races. So the event was such a success that it became an annual tradition, evolving into the beer-filled extravaganza we know today.

Chicken Pretzel Schnitzel

The Beer: Only beer brewed within Munich’s city limits, conforming to the strict Bavarian Purity Law (Reinheitsgebot), is served at the festival. The beer is stronger than typical lagers, making it a potent companion for the revelry. Furthermore, the festival’s signature beer is “Märzen,” a slightly malty, full-bodied lager that goes perfectly with this Chicken Pretzel Schnitzel.

The Tents: Massive beer tents are run by a different brewery or organization. These tents are like mini-cities, with seating tens of thousands of people! Also, each tent has its own personality. some focus on rowdy, beer-sloshing antics, while others cater to more relaxed vibes with traditional Bavarian music and cuisine.

Traditional Food :

Besides the beer, Oktoberfest is also a culinary delight. So you see where this Chicken Pretzel Schnitzel fits right in. Attendees feast on hearty German dishes like:
Bratwurst – Grilled sausages
Pretzels – Huge, soft pretzels (big enough to use as a pillow after too much beer)
Weisswurst – White sausage
Schnitzel – Breaded and fried meat, often pork or veal
Roast chicken (Hendl) – Popular for soaking up all that beer!

Chicken Pretzel Schnitzel

Chicken Pretzel Schnitzel


Course Main Course
Cuisine Austrian, German
Keyword Schnitzel
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 4
Author Lora Wiley-Lennartz

Ingredients

  • 4 large chicken breasts
  • Salt & Freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon canola oil
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 cup crushed pretzels

Instructions

  1. Wash the chicken breasts and pat them dry with a paper towel.
  2. Pound the chicken breasts until very thin. You can cut them in half to make them easier to work with. Season the chicken breasts on both sides with salt and freshly ground black pepper and set aside.
  3. Place three wide and deep plates on your work surface.
  4. On the first plate, spread out the all-purpose flour. In a small separate bowl, beat the egg and pour onto the second plate.
  5. Spread the crushed pretzels out on the third plate.
  6. Working with one chicken breast at a time, dredge the breast on both sides in the all-purpose flour, then coat both sides with the egg and lastly, coat the breast on both sides with the crushed pretzels. Repeat with the other chicken breasts.
  7. Place the canola oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the coated chicken breasts to the pan and cook on both sides until the chicken has cooked through and the pretzel crust is crunchy golden brown.
Chicken Pretzel Schnitzel

So, do you like this Chicken Pretzel Schnitzel? Then also, check out some of these other delicious recipes:

Bavarian Pretzel Soup

BAVARIAN PRETZEL SOUP

PEPPER CREAM CHICKEN SCHNITZEL

PEPPER CREAM CHICKEN SCHNITZEL

Mustard Roast Chicken over Pretzel Knödel

MUSTARD ROAST CHICKEN OVER PRETZEL KNÖDEL

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