Malibu Chicken Recipe

If you’ve been hunting for a Malibu Chicken Recipe that feels like a restaurant treat but behaves like a weeknight-friendly dinner… hi, welcome, you’re in the right kitchen. This is one of those meals that makes everyone think you did the most—when really, you just followed a simple breading line-up and let the oven finish the job.

And listen, I’m Aneta from Chicken Magic Recipes. I love a “wow” dinner that doesn’t require a culinary degree—or a sink full of regret afterward. This one hits that sweet spot: crispy chicken, warm ham, melty Swiss, plus a honey-mustard sauce that tastes like it should have its own fan club.

Why You’ll Love This Malibu Chicken Recipe

• It’s crunchy + cheesy + savory in the best possible way.
• Great for picky eaters (ham and Swiss are usually “safe foods,” even for the tiny food critics).
• Restaurant vibes at home, without the restaurant bill.
• The sauce is ridiculously easy—no cooking, no drama, just whisk and win.
• Perfect for busy nights when you want something comforting but still kind of impressive.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the chicken

• 2 large chicken breasts (or 4 thin sliced chicken breasts)
• ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon onion powder
• 2 large eggs
• Splash of water
• 1 cup Italian style panko breadcrumbs
• Oil for frying (about ½ inch in the skillet)
• 8 slices deli ham
• 6 slices Swiss cheese

For the sauce

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
• 4 teaspoons honey
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder

How to Make Malibu Chicken (Step-by-Step)

1) Preheat and prep the chicken

Preheat your oven to 350°F.
If you’re using 2 large chicken breasts, slice them in half lengthwise so you end up with thinner cutlets. Thinner chicken cooks more evenly and gives you more crispy surface area—aka the good stuff.

2) Set up your breading “assembly line”

Grab three shallow bowls (or plates with rims):

Bowl 1 (flour mix):
Combine flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.

Bowl 2 (egg wash):
Whisk the eggs with a splash of water until smooth.

Bowl 3 (breadcrumbs):
Add the Italian style panko breadcrumbs.

This setup makes you feel like a cooking show contestant, minus the stress and dramatic music.

3) Bread the chicken

One piece at a time:

• Coat in the flour (shake off extra).
• Dip into the egg mixture (let excess drip).
• Press into the panko breadcrumbs.

Don’t be shy when pressing the crumbs—this is where crispiness is born.

4) Fry just until golden

Heat about ½ inch of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once it’s hot (around 350°F), fry the chicken in batches until golden brown on the outside.

Important note: You’re not trying to cook it all the way through here. Think of this step as “crisping and bronzing,” not “fully done.”

5) Drain and rack (for max crunch)

Move the browned chicken to a paper-towel-lined plate briefly, then place it on a wire rack over a sheet tray.

That wire rack move? It keeps the bottom from getting soggy. Crunch protection, basically.

6) Add ham + Swiss and bake

Place chicken in a baking dish.
Top each piece with:

• 2 slices of deli ham
• 1½ slices Swiss cheese (tear to fit neatly over the chicken)

Bake for 15–20 minutes, until the chicken reaches 165°F internally.

7) Whisk the sauce and serve

While the chicken bakes, whisk together:

• mayo
• Dijon mustard
• yellow mustard
• honey
• garlic powder
• onion powder

Serve immediately with the sauce for dipping. If someone tries to “just drizzle a little”… they’re lying to themselves. Put it in a dip bowl and let people live their best lives.

Aneta’s Cooking Tips (Because Life Is Real)

• Want extra crispy chicken? After breading, let the chicken sit for 5–10 minutes before frying. It helps the coating stick like it means it.
• No thermometer? Slice the thickest piece—juices should run clear and the inside should be fully white. (But honestly, a thermometer makes life easier.)
• Cheese sliding off? Tuck the Swiss slightly under the ham so it “holds” it in place while it melts.
• Oil temp matters. If your oil is too cool, the breading soaks it up. If it’s too hot, the outside browns too fast. Aim for that 350°F sweet spot.
• Sauce too thick? Add a tiny splash of water or a little extra honey and whisk again. Don’t worry if it looks a little weird at first—sauces can be moody. Keep whisking. Magic happens.

A Little Story From My Kitchen

The first time I made this Malibu Chicken Recipe, I was trying to win a very specific battle: “Please eat something besides cereal.” You know the one. I needed dinner that felt fun—crispy, cheesy, dippable—and this totally did the trick.

Now it’s one of my go-to “company meals,” too. Because it looks fancy enough to impress… but in reality, you’re just frying chicken cutlets and letting cheese do what cheese does best.

FAQs About Malibu Chicken Recipe

Bring the Malibu Chicken Recipe Magic Home

If you need a dinner that feels comforting, crunchy, and just a little bit “look at me being fancy,” this Malibu Chicken Recipe is the move. It’s the kind of meal that disappears fast—like, “wait, who took the last piece?” fast.

When you make it, serve it hot, pass the sauce, and enjoy that moment when everyone gets quiet because they’re too busy chewing. That’s the real kitchen magic.

More Chicken Magic to Try Next

• If you loved the crispy, cheesy comfort in this Malibu Chicken dinner, you’ll probably also swoon over Pretzel Crusted Chicken with Cheddar Mustard Sauce—it’s crunchy, cozy, and made for serious dipping.
• Want to keep that honey-mustard vibe going (because honestly, why stop)? Try Honey Mustard BLT Chicken Sliders for an easy, crowd-pleasing meal that feels like a little treat.
• If you’re in the mood for another melty, stuffed-chicken moment, you’ll love Cheesy Garlic Butter Mushroom Stuffed Chicken—it’s rich, comforting, and perfect for “I need dinner to hug me” nights.
• And when you want something lighter on the side (but still full of flavor), pair your plate with Spicy Ranch Chopped Chicken Cabbage Salad—crunchy, fresh, and a great way to balance out all that glorious cheese.

⭐ Made this Malibu Chicken Recipe? I’d love to hear how it went! Leave a quick review and tap your star rating (★★★★★)—your feedback helps other readers pick their next dinner win.

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