Description
Malibu chicken brings a sunny California twist to your dinner plate, blending ham, Swiss cheese, and tender chicken in a quick, satisfying meal that comes together faster than you can say “beach vacation”. Crispy on the outside and melty on the inside, this dish delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Protein:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 4 slices deli ham
- 4 slices Swiss cheese
Breading and Coating:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups seasoned breadcrumbs
- 2 large eggs
- Salt
- Pepper
Cooking and Sauce Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Flatten 4 chicken breasts to ½-inch thickness using a meat mallet. Sprinkle ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper across the surfaces.
- Create three shallow dishes: spread 1 cup flour in first, beat 2 eggs in second, and pour 1 ½ cups breadcrumbs in third.
- Dunk each chicken breast first into flour, ensuring complete coverage. Shake off excess.
- Submerge floured chicken into beaten eggs, allowing complete coating to adhere.
- Roll egg-coated chicken through breadcrumbs, pressing gently to create a crisp exterior layer.
- Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat at 350F.
- Carefully place breaded chicken into hot oil. Fry for 3-4 minutes until golden brown on first side.
- Flip chicken and cook additional 3-4 minutes until opposite side turns deep golden color.
- Transfer fried chicken to a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Layer 1 slice of ham and 1 slice of Swiss cheese atop each chicken piece.
- Slide baking sheet into preheated 375F oven. Bake for 10-12 minutes until cheese melts completely.
- Whisk ¼ cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, 2 tablespoons honey, and 1 teaspoon lemon juice in a small bowl.
- Plate chicken and serve with honey mustard sauce drizzled alongside or on top.
Notes
- Flatten chicken breasts carefully to ensure even cooking and prevent dry edges.
- Use a meat thermometer to check internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.
- Panko breadcrumbs create an extra crispy coating that stays crunchy longer than traditional breadcrumbs.
- For a lighter version, bake the chicken instead of frying and use thin-sliced deli ham to reduce overall fat content.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 48 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 541 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 820 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Cholesterol: 135 mg