Description
This Cubano Chicken Bake is a quick and flavorful twist on the classic Cuban sandwich, featuring tender chicken cutlets layered with Dijon mustard, mayo, ham, salami, pickles, and melted Swiss cheese. Baked to perfection in the oven, it’s an easy and satisfying meal perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 chicken cutlets
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
Meats & Cheese
- 4 slices deli ham
- 4 to 8 slices salami (depending on size)
- 4 slices Swiss cheese
Pickles
- 1/2 cup pickle chips or 4 long pickle slices plus 3 tablespoons pickle juice
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 425°F (220°C) to prepare for baking the chicken dish.
- Mix Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the Dijon mustard and mayonnaise until smooth and well blended.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Pour 3 tablespoons of pickle juice into a 9×13 baking dish. Place the chicken cutlets in the baking dish and lightly salt the tops.
- Layer Sauce and Meats: Spread equal amounts of the mayo-mustard mixture over each chicken cutlet. Top each with a slice of ham and several slices of salami.
- Add Pickles and Cheese: Arrange a line of pickle slices or chips on top of the meats, then top each chicken cutlet with a slice of Swiss cheese.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes.
- Finish Baking Uncovered: Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 5 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Rest and Serve: Let the chicken rest for 3 to 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.
Notes
- Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure chicken is fully cooked to a safe temperature of 165°F.
- Adjust the amount of salami based on its size to maintain balanced flavors.
- If pickle juice is not available, substitute with a little lemon juice or vinegar for tanginess.
- For extra crispy edges, broil uncovered for 1-2 minutes after baking, watching carefully to prevent burning.
