Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Place chicken breasts between plastic wrap or parchment paper and pound to an even ½-inch thickness using a meat mallet or heavy pan.
- Set up three shallow dishes. In the first, combine flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. In the second, beat the eggs. In the third, add the breadcrumbs.
- Working with one chicken breast at a time, dredge in seasoned flour and shake off excess. Dip in beaten egg, letting excess drip off. Press into breadcrumbs, coating both sides. Place on a plate and repeat with remaining chicken.
- Heat about ¼ inch olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Test temperature by dropping in a breadcrumb—it should sizzle immediately. Fry chicken for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown. Transfer to paper towel-lined plate.
- Arrange fried chicken breasts in a baking dish. Top each piece with a slice of ham, then a slice of Swiss cheese.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly and chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Remove from oven, garnish with chopped fresh parsley, and serve immediately.
Notes
Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes to maintain crispy coating. Substitutions: Use turkey cutlets or pork cutlets instead of chicken. Try Gruyere, provolone, or pepper jack cheese instead of Swiss. Italian herbs can be added to breadcrumbs. Make-Ahead: Bread chicken earlier in the day and refrigerate until ready to fry. Baking Option: Skip frying and bake breaded chicken at 400°F for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway, then add ham and cheese for final 5 minutes.
