Unlike traditional chicken cordon bleu recipes, this one doesn’t rely on excessive amounts of oil and the hassle of deep-frying to give the breading a satisfying crunch. Instead, this healthier chicken cordon bleu is coated in whole-grain panko breadcrumbs and baked until crispy.

This recipe’s method for assembling the chicken breast is pretty straightforward, even for a newbie like I was. You’ll start by rolling up the cheese inside slices of ham. Keeping these rolls in the freezer helps them keep their shape while you prepare the chicken. Some recipes call for pounding out the chicken into a flattened shape, but this version goes the easier route. Instead, you’ll simply slice the breast so that it opens like a book. Then, put one ham and cheese roll into each breast and secure with toothpicks. An egg wash prepares the chicken for the crunchy panko coating. And ta-da, just like that, you’re done! The chicken will emerge from the oven golden brown, and when you slice into it, you’ll see a beautiful ring of ham and melted cheese. This is one stunning dish that makes an impressive at-home meal!