Juicy chicken meat, ham, melted cheese, and sweet canned peach create a bold combination reminiscent of popular retro lunches. A delicate curry-flavored sauce ties all the flavors together, while fries provide a crispy side.
This recipe is designed for two servings and is simple to prepare. First, the meat is quickly seared, then finished in a prepared sauce, and finally topped with ham, peach, and grated cheese. Depending on your preference, you can warm the peaches directly in the sauce or in the microwave.
What You’ll Need
For 2 servings:
- 250–300 g chicken breast,
- salt,
- 2 pinches curry powder,
- 1/2 teaspoon plain flour,
- 1–2 tablespoons oil,
- 2 slices of ham,
- 50 g hard cheese,
- 2 canned peach halves,
- chicken broth or water,
- fries for serving.
The original recipe does not specify the exact amount of salt, broth or water, or fries, so adjust these to suit two servings and your desired sauce consistency.
Step-by-Step Preparation:
1. Preparing the Chicken Breast: Wash the chicken breasts, pat them dry thoroughly, and trim off any excess fat. Gently pound them, season with salt, and evenly sprinkle both sides with two pinches of curry powder.
2. Searing the Meat: Heat 1–2 tablespoons of oil in a pan. Sear the prepared chicken breasts on both sides over high heat until browned on the outside and juicy inside. Remove the meat from the pan and set aside for now.
3. Preparing the Sauce Base: Add 1/2 teaspoon of plain flour to the pan drippings and briefly sauté. Do not let the flour brown too much, so the resulting sauce remains mild and does not develop a bitter taste.
4. Thickening the Sauce: Gradually add chicken broth or water to the sautéed flour, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Let the sauce simmer until it starts to thicken and reaches the desired consistency.
5. Braising the Chicken: Return the seared chicken breasts to the prepared sauce. Let them simmer gently so the meat softens and the flavors of curry, pan drippings, and the lightly thickened sauce meld together.
6. Warming the Peaches: Drain the canned peaches and warm them up. You can place them directly in the sauce with the meat or heat them separately in the microwave. Warming ensures the sweet fruit layer isn’t cold when serving.
7. Layering the Ham and Peach: Place one slice of ham and one warmed peach half on each finished chicken breast. Layer them directly in the pan so they stay warm and you can melt the cheese on top.
8. Melting the Cheese: Grate the hard cheese and sprinkle it over the prepared chicken with ham and peach. Cover the pan with a lid and wait until the cheese melts from the heat and binds all the layers together.
9. Serving: Divide the finished chicken breasts onto two plates, pour over the prepared sauce, and serve with fries. They taste best right after finishing, when the meat is hot, the cheese is melted, and the fries are still crispy.
How to Make Lump-Free Sauce
Add the broth or water to the sautéed flour gradually, not all at once. Whisk constantly as you pour to ensure the flour mixes evenly. If the sauce is too thick, adjust with a little more broth or water.
Why Warm the Peaches First
A warmed peach pairs better with hot meat, ham, and melted cheese. You can heat it directly in the sauce, where it will also absorb some flavor, or separately in the microwave if you want to keep the layers more distinct.
Final Tip
Crispy fries are the perfect side for this retro dish, complementing the delicate sauce and the sweet-salty combination of meat and peach. When finishing, cover the pan only as long as needed to melt the cheese, so the meal can be served piping hot.
