Description

Malibu Chicken is a delightful breaded chicken dish featuring tender boneless skinless chicken breasts topped with savory ham and melted Swiss cheese, all served with a creamy, tangy Malibu sauce made from mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, honey, and lemon juice. Crispy panko breadcrumbs give the chicken a perfect crunch, making this recipe a perfect weeknight dinner or special occasion meal that’s satisfying and full of flavor.

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
½ teaspoon Salt
¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
¼ teaspoon Garlic Powder (optional)
¼ teaspoon Paprika (optional)
4 slices Cooked Ham (about 1–2 oz each)
4–8 slices Swiss Cheese
3 tablespoons Olive Oil or Vegetable Oil

For the Creamy Malibu Sauce:

½ cup Mayonnaise
3 tablespoons Dijon Mustard
1 tablespoon Honey
1 tablespoon Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice
1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce (optional)
Pinch of Salt and Black Pepper
1–2 tablespoons Milk or Cream (optional)

Instructions

Prepare the Chicken Breasts: Start by pounding the chicken breasts to an even thickness, about ¼ inch, to ensure they cook evenly and stay tender. Season the chicken lightly with salt and pepper.
Set Up Breading Station: In one shallow dish, place the all-purpose flour. In a second dish, beat the eggs well. In a third dish, combine panko breadcrumbs with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika if using.
Coat the Chicken: Dredge each chicken breast first in flour, shaking off the excess. Next, dip into the beaten eggs, then coat thoroughly with the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently so the crumbs adhere well.
Assemble with Ham and Cheese: Place each breaded chicken breast on a plate. Top each with one slice of cooked ham (or two if desired) and then cover with enough slices of Swiss cheese to fully coat the top.
Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil or vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Carefully pan-fry each chicken breast until golden brown on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side. Alternatively, you can lightly spray with oil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes until crispy and cooked through.
Make the Creamy Malibu Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, honey, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce (if using), and a pinch of salt and pepper. If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with 1-2 tablespoons of milk or cream until desired consistency is reached.
Serve: Plate the cooked Malibu chicken and spoon the creamy Malibu sauce generously over the top or serve it on the side for dipping. Enjoy immediately for the best texture and flavor.

Notes

For best results, pound the chicken breasts evenly to ensure they cook uniformly and stay juicy.
If you prefer, you can bake the chicken instead of pan-frying to reduce oil usage; just spray the breaded chicken lightly with oil before baking.
Swiss cheese can be substituted with Gruyère or Provolone for a different flavor profile.
The Malibu sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 3 days; bring to room temperature before serving.
Adding paprika and garlic powder to the breadcrumbs enhances flavor but is optional.
Use high-quality ham and cheese for the best taste.
The recipe can be doubled or tripled for larger gatherings.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Pan-Frying or Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
Calories: 720
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 850mg
Fat: 45g
Saturated Fat: 15g
Unsaturated Fat: 25g
Trans Fat: 0.2g
Carbohydrates: 30g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 55g
Cholesterol: 165mg

Keywords: Malibu Chicken, Breaded Chicken, Chicken with Ham and Cheese, Crispy Chicken Recipe, Creamy Mustard Sauce, Easy Dinner Recipes