Description
Malibu Chicken is a crispy, breaded chicken breast layered with savory ham and melted Swiss cheese, topped with a tangy, creamy Malibu sauce. This recipe offers a delightful blend of textures and flavors, perfect for a comforting dinner that feels indulgent yet approachable.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken
- 4 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts (about 6–8 oz each)
- 1 cup All-Purpose Flour
- 2 Large Eggs, beaten
- 1 ½ cups Panko Breadcrumbs (or regular dried breadcrumbs)
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
- ¼ teaspoon Garlic Powder (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon Paprika (optional)
- 4 slices Cooked Ham (about 1–2 oz per chicken breast)
- 4–8 slices Swiss Cheese (or enough to cover each chicken breast)
- 3 tablespoons Olive Oil or Vegetable Oil (for pan-frying)
For the Creamy Malibu Sauce
- ½ cup Mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons Dijon Mustard
- 1 tablespoon Honey (or to taste)
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce (optional)
- Pinch of Salt and Black Pepper (to taste)
- 1–2 tablespoons Milk or Cream (optional, to thin sauce)
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Start by pounding the chicken breasts to an even thickness, about ½ inch, for uniform cooking. Season them lightly with salt and pepper.
- Bread the Chicken: Set up a breading station with three shallow dishes: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with panko breadcrumbs mixed with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Dredge each breast first in the flour, shaking off excess, then dip into eggs, and finally coat evenly with the breadcrumb mixture.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry the breaded chicken breasts until golden brown on each side, about 3-4 minutes per side. Alternatively, for a lighter version, bake at 400°F (200°C) on a lightly oiled baking sheet for 20-25 minutes until crispy and cooked through.
- Add Ham and Cheese: After frying or baking, place each chicken breast on a baking dish. Top each with a slice or two of ham and enough Swiss cheese to cover. If desired, place under a broiler or back in the oven to melt the cheese, about 2-3 minutes.
- Make the Malibu Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, honey, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. If the sauce is too thick, gradually stir in 1-2 tablespoons of milk or cream until desired consistency is reached.
- Serve: Drizzle or spoon the creamy Malibu sauce generously over the cooked chicken. Serve immediately with your choice of sides, such as steamed vegetables, rice, or salad.
Notes
- Pounding the chicken breasts ensures even cooking and tenderness.
- Panko breadcrumbs provide a crispier texture than regular breadcrumbs.
- Adjust the honey in the sauce to balance the tang to your personal taste.
- For a richer flavor, use a combination of olive oil and butter when frying.
- The Worcestershire sauce in the Malibu sauce is optional but adds a nice umami depth.
- If baking instead of frying, lightly spray oil to help the breadcrumbs crisp up.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-frying and baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 820 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 42 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg
Keywords: Malibu chicken, breaded chicken, crispy chicken breast, creamy sauce, Swiss cheese chicken, ham and cheese chicken
