Description

Malibu Chicken is a crispy breaded chicken breast layered with savory ham and melted Swiss cheese, topped with a creamy, tangy Malibu sauce that combines Dijon mustard, honey, and lemon juice for a perfect balance of flavors. This flavorful dish is pan-fried to golden perfection and optionally baked for a juicy, tender center. Ideal for an impressive yet easy dinner.

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 (freshly ground)
¼ teaspoon Garlic Powder (optional)
¼ teaspoon Paprika (optional)
4 slices Cooked Ham (e.g., Black Forest, Virginia, or Honey Ham)
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 (full-fat, good quality)
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 if needed)

Instructions

Prepare the Chicken Breasts: Start by pounding the chicken breasts to an even thickness, about ½ inch, to ensure uniform cooking. This also tenderizes the meat and helps the coating adhere better.
Set up the Breading Station: Place the flour in one shallow bowl. In another bowl, beat the eggs well. In a third bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
Coat the Chicken: Dredge each chicken breast first in the flour, shaking off excess, then dip into the beaten eggs, and finally coat thoroughly with the seasoned breadcrumb mixture. Press the crumbs gently to adhere.
Preheat the Pan: Heat olive or vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Enough oil to coat the bottom of the pan is ideal for crisping the coating without deep frying.
Pan-Fry the Chicken: Place the breaded chicken breasts carefully in the hot oil and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. If you prefer, you can finish cooking the chicken in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes to ensure they are cooked through.
Assemble with Ham and Cheese: Remove chicken from heat and immediately layer each breast with a slice or two of your choice of ham and cover with Swiss cheese slices. Cover the pan briefly to help the cheese melt, or transfer to a warm oven for a few minutes until melted.
Prepare the Malibu Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, honey, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce (if using), salt, and pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste and add milk or cream to thin the sauce to desired consistency.
Serve: Plate the ham and Swiss topped chicken breasts and generously drizzle with the creamy Malibu sauce. This dish pairs beautifully with steamed vegetables, rice, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.

Notes

For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour and breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives.
Using panko breadcrumbs enhances the crunchiness but regular breadcrumbs will also work.
Optionally, finish cooking the chicken in the oven to ensure it is cooked through if pan-frying thickness is challenging.
Swiss cheese can be substituted with Gruyère or Provolone for a different melt and flavor profile.
Honey can be replaced with maple syrup for a slightly different sweetness.
Adjust the thickness of the Malibu sauce by adding milk or cream gradually to reach your preferred consistency.
Try using grainy Dijon mustard for additional texture and tanginess.
Make sure to pound chicken breasts evenly to prevent uneven cooking.

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

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
Calories: 730
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 850mg
Fat: 42g
Saturated Fat: 15g
Unsaturated Fat: 22g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 30g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 55g
Cholesterol: 175mg

Keywords: Malibu Chicken, breaded chicken, Swiss cheese chicken, creamy mustard sauce, pan-fried chicken, easy dinner recipe, crispy chicken