Skip to content

Robert St. John

Restaurateur, author, enthusiastic traveler, & world-class eater.

Dixie Chicken

Ingredients

6 5-6 ounce chicken breasts, boneless, skinless

1/2 cup No-Stick Grilling Marinade for Poultry

2 tsp poultry seasoning

6 canned pineapple rings

3/4 lb honey cured ham, shaved thin

6 1-ounce slices Swiss cheese

Instructions

Using a pastry brush, coat the chicken breast with the no-stick marinade. Refrigerate 30 minutes. Sprinkle breast with the poultry seasoning.

Prepare the grill. Cook the chicken over direct high heat for 10-12 minutes, turning once.

During the last few minutes of cooking, place the pineapple rings on the grill and cook two minutes, turning once.

Once cooked, but while the chicken is still on the grill, top each piece with approximately two ounces of shaved ham and one slice of swiss cheese. Place the cover back on the grill and cook until the cheese is melted and the ham is hot. Top each breast with a ring of grill pineapple and serve.

Yield: 6 servings

Recent Recipes

Robert’s Christmas Turkey 2025

There's nothing like a well-roasted turkey to anchor a holiday table, and no one made it quite like my grandmother. She didn't wait until Thanksgiving to serve it. She'd roast a turkey once a month throughout the year, never mind the occasion. It was a staple at her table. My mother, on the other hand, always made a formal Christmas Eve dinner, complete with turkey, dressing, and gravy. As kids, the excitement of Christmas Eve was almost too much to bear. Those big dinners felt like the beginning of Christmas itself. It’s a memory that comes to mind every time I cook a turkey or make gravy. And a good gravy can make or break the meal. Making sure the roux browns just right and finishing the gravy with a touch of lemon juice or fresh herbs are tricks worth remembering. A little extra attention to the gravy goes a long way.

Read more

Bayou Bacon & Cheddar Spread

I can lay waste to a block of cream cheese with pepper jelly and crackers in a matter of minutes. It’s a weakness. No matter how hard I try to exercise self-control, I always find myself standing over the plate at a cocktail party, making it disappear without even thinking. This spread hits the same notes, but with a smoky, savory punch that’s hard to beat. It’s become a go-to for Christmas parties, and if you’re smart, you’ll double the recipe because it’ll be gone before you know it. It’s best when made a day in advance—giving all the flavors time to mingle.

Read more

Orange and Bourbon Glazed Duck for Drew

My brother Drew and I were always wound up on Christmas Eve. He was four years older, but you’d never know it by how excited we both were. He’d be bouncing off the walls, too keyed up to sleep, while I’d follow his lead like I always did. When we finally did drift off, it wouldn’t be long before he’d shake me awake before dawn, eyes shining like he hadn’t slept a wink. Those early mornings felt like magic. Now, Christmas means he’s usually out duck hunting in the Delta, his favorite place on earth. He loves the hunt and the calm that comes with being out in the field before the sun rises. I thought of him when I put together this recipe. It’s a little bit of Drew—those wild December mornings in the Delta and the quiet way he’s always looked out for me.

Read more