Name: Pretzel-Crusted Chicken Cutlets With Cauliflower Purée and Arugula
Cook time: 20 minutes
Total time: 22 minutes
Yield: Serves 4
Ingredients: Vegetable oil, for frying (about 3 cups); 3 cups lightly crushed salted pretzel rods (about 6 ounces); 3/4 cup all-purpose flour; 2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more for seasoning; 1 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper, plus more for seasoning; 2 large eggs; 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard; 4 (6-ounce) chicken cutlets, 1/4-inch thick, pounded if necessary (1 1/2 pounds total); 1 1/2 pounds cauliflower, chopped (1 small head cauliflower); 3 garlic cloves, peeled; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter; 1/4 cup whole milk, or more to taste; 4 cups arugula or baby spinach; 1 lemon, halved; Extra-virgin olive oil, for serving

This image may contain Cutlery Fork Plant Food and Produce

Photo by Andrew Purcell, prop styling by Sarah Cave, food styling by Rhoda Boone

These crunchy, salty, pretzel-coated chicken cutlets are lightened up by creamy cauliflower purée (a great substitute for mashed potatoes) and a crisp arugula salad. It all adds up to the perfect weeknight meal.

Do Ahead

The cutlets can be breaded and refrigerated up to 2 hours in advance of frying. The cauliflower puree can be made and refrigerated up to 2 days in advance; reheat before serving.

Recipe notes

See Related Recipes and Cooking Tips

53 Chicken Breast Recipes for Flavorful, Juicy (Yes, Juicy) Dinners
Reinvigorate your weeknight dinner routine—and finally use up that pack of poultry in your freezer—with our best recipes for chicken breast.
43 Craveable Cauliflower Recipes to Cook Right Now
You could roast a head of cauliflower whole—or turn it into pizza crust, couscous, a pasta stand-in, or use it in any of our other favorite cauliflower recipes.
51 Low-Lift 30-Minute Meals for Nights When You Just Can’t
Delicious ways to get dinner on the table, even when it feels impossible.
This is What Happens When Kids Choose the Meal Plan for the Week
No, you won't be stuck eating chicken fingers and hot dogs all week. But you will probably eat a lot of noodles.
28 Fast Dinners From Our Food Editor's Kitchen
Well-rounded, super-fast dinners that come together in about the time it takes to speed through a TV show on Netflix.
5 Dinners to Stress-Cook and Stress-Eat During Election Week
Relax with these delicious...oh Jesus, it's hopeless.
5 Fast Dinner Recipes for Fall
Back-to-school means back-to-busy. Here are five fast dinner recipes you can get on the table in 22 minutes or less.
Our Five Fastest Chicken Breast Dinners
They don't call it the trusty chicken breast for nothing. This week, rely on that cut for flavor-forward dinners that come together in about 30 minutes (or less!).
Our Favorite 22-Minute Meals
Have a delicious meal on the table in less time than it takes to wait for delivery.