My picture might imply that this recipe is from Malibu, California, but in truth, I think a restaurant made this dish famous. Everyone has a version of Malibu Chicken, whether they bake it, grill it or fry it, but it usually has a slice of Swiss cheese and ham on top.

My version is grilled with a delightful sauce to baste with and also serve on the side. I pound out the boneless chicken breast pieces so they are the same thickness and will cook evenly. No more than about ½ inch works well which will prevent the meat from cooking too fast and drying out. I let them marinate in a small amount of the sauce for about one hour prior to cooking.

Fresh pineapple would be the best way to go and you could then have a thicker slice to grill, but I have used the canned pineapple slices with great success. The fruit is so moist; it does not burn, but will acquire some nice grill marks. You can also use the juice for the recipe from the large size of sliced canned pineapple.

When you make the sauce, be sure to separate the amount you want to use for pouring over the cooked chicken and place in a different container. You would not want to contaminate it when you use this sauce for basting.

It might be fun to go to Malibu, California but not for this chicken dish – you can have this at home!

Malibu Chicken

½ cup pineapple juice

4 Tbsp melted butter

1 Tbsp plain yellow mustard

1 Tbsp honey

1 Tbsp molasses

2 tsp Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp chili powder

4 boneless/skinless chicken breasts

4 thin slices of ham

4 slices of Swiss cheese

4 slices of pineapple

Mix the pineapple juice, butter, mustard, honey, molasses, Worcestershire sauce and chili powder in a small bowl until well blended. Save a portion in a separate container for serving over the cooked chicken.

Pound the chicken breasts so they are of a uniform thickness. Place chicken in a plastic bag and put about 2 Tbsp of the sauce in the bag and allow to marinate for about one hour.

Put the chicken and pineapple slices on the grill. Cook the chicken on one side for about 4 or 5 minutes and then turn and baste. When chicken is completely cooked, fold one slice of ham in half and place on each chicken breast and top with a slice of Swiss cheese. Close grill cover for about 30 seconds to melt the cheese. Place the pineapple on top for serving and drizzle with extra sauce if desired.

Susan Lang makes greeting cards which are for sale at Stephen's Hair & Boutique located at 312 W. Mesquite Blvd. #12 in the Bull Dog Shopping Center. Each card is different and has a message sure to make you laugh and some also come with recipe cards. While you are there, grab a new outfit for dinner!