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Malibu Chicken

Crispy breaded chicken breasts topped with savory ham and melted Swiss cheese for a classic family dinner ready in 45 minutes.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 485

Ingredients
  

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 4 slices ham deli-style, medium thickness
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs beaten
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs plain
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • olive oil for frying
  • 4 slices Swiss cheese
  • fresh parsley for garnish

Equipment

  • Meat mallet or heavy pan
  • Three shallow dishes for breading
  • large skillet
  • Baking dish

Method
 

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Arrange fried chicken breasts in a baking dish. Top each piece with a slice of ham, then a slice of Swiss cheese.
  6. Bake for 10-15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly and chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
  7. 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.