Introduction
Tender pieces of chicken dipped in a velvety sauce with fine herbs and Boursin is a simple option, perfect for the whole family. In this article, you’ll learn how to make chicken with Boursin cream sauce, the nutrition details, tips to lighten it, and how enjoying it fits into a balanced diet.
Ingredients
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1 small shallot, finely chopped (or ½ small onion)
2 garlic cloves, minced
½ cup (about 120 ml) chicken broth
½ cup heavy cream
5.2 oz (one package) Boursin garlic & fine herbs (or equivalent soft herbed cheese)
Optional: fresh parsley or chives, for garnish
Optional: vegetables (spinach, mushrooms, etc.)
Step‑by‑Step Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: pat the chicken breasts dry, season both sides with salt and black pepper.
- Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium‑high heat. When hot, add chicken breasts. Sear about 4‑5 minutes per side until golden brown. They need not be fully cooked through at this point. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add the chopped shallot (or onion) and sauté for 1‑2 minutes until softened. Add garlic and sauté briefly (30 seconds) until fragrant but not browned.
- Pour in chicken broth, scraping any browned bits from the bottom (deglazing). Let broth simmer 1 minute.
- Stir in heavy cream. Crumble or cube the Boursin cheese and add into the sauce, stirring until fully melted and smooth.
- If using vegetables like mushrooms or spinach, stir them into the sauce now and cook until tender.
- Return the chicken breasts (and any juices) back into the skillet. Spoon sauce over the chicken, then reduce heat to low and cover or simmer gently for 5‑8 minutes until chicken is fully cooked (internal temp ~165°F / 74°C) and sauce thickens a bit.
- Taste the sauce, adjust salt, pepper, or herbs if needed. Garnish with fresh parsley or chives. Serve immediately, spooning extra sauce over the chicken.
Yield & Serving Suggestions
This recipe serves 4. Serve with sides such as steamed vegetables, mashed potatoes, rice, cauliflower mash, or a green salad. The sauce is rich, so serving with lighter, fresh sides helps balance the richness.
Nutrition & Calorie Estimate
Based on similar creamy chicken with Boursin recipes, one serving is estimated around 500 calories with approximately 32 g fat, 34 g protein, and ~3–6 g carbohydrate. The herbed cream cheese (Boursin cooking cream) itself has about 110 calories per ¼ cup (60 g), with 11 g fat, 8 g saturated fat, 1 g carbs, 2 g protein. These values depend on exact amounts, brand of cream, choice of additions, and size of chicken.
Health Considerations: Pros & Trade‑Offs
High Protein & Muscle Support
This dish delivers substantial protein from chicken, which supports muscle maintenance, repair, and satiety. That’s beneficial especially for people aiming for high protein dinners.
Rich in Fat & Saturated Fat
Because of the cream and Boursin cheese, the dish is high in total fat and saturated fat. Regular high intake of saturated fat can raise LDL cholesterol levels, which over time could increase cardiovascular risk. Moderation is key.
Calorie Density
The sauce makes the dish calorie-dense. If portions aren’t controlled, it’s easy to overshoot daily calorie goals.
Sodium Content
Soft herbed cheeses like Boursin tend to carry moderate to high sodium. Combined with broth, the dish may contain considerable sodium, which is something to watch if you are managing blood pressure.
Possible Digestive Sensitivity
The dairy content (cream, Boursin) may pose issues for individuals with lactose intolerance or milk protein sensitivities.
Antioxidants & Herb Benefits
Because the Boursin cheese includes garlic and herbs, and because you may include garlic, onion, and herbs in the sauce, there are small amounts of phytochemicals acting as antioxidants and anti‑inflammatory compounds.
Tips to Lighten or Adjust the Recipe
Use half‑and‑half or light cream instead of full heavy cream to reduce fat and calories (though sauce will be thinner).
Use reduced‑fat or lower sodium version of herbed cheese if available.
Use less of the sauce per serving, or serve sauce on the side so diners can control how much they use.
Add more vegetables (spinach, mushrooms, zucchini) into the sauce to bulk volume without excessive calories.
Use a bit of cornstarch slurry (1 teaspoon cornstarch + water) to thicken sauce, allowing you to reduce cream a bit.
Serve smaller chicken portions or cut chicken into thinner slices to distribute the sauce more broadly.
Flavor Variations & Enhancements
For extra brightness, add a squeeze of lemon juice or a bit of zest just before serving.
Add fresh herbs such as tarragon, thyme, or basil to complement the garlic & herb flavor of Boursin.
Include sun‑dried tomatoes, roasted red pepper strips, or artichoke hearts for extra complexity.
Add a dash of white wine to deglaze before adding broth for deeper flavor.
Stir in a small amount of grated Parmesan for extra umami.
How It Fits into a Balanced Diet
This creamy chicken dish can be part of a balanced meal plan if portioned mindfully and paired with fiber‑rich sides (vegetables, greens, whole grains). Use it as a feature protein dish occasionally rather than daily indulgence. If your diet already includes rich or high‑fat meals, balance with lighter meals elsewhere in the day.
Leftovers & Storage
Store leftover chicken and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently over low heat, adding a splash of broth or milk to restore creaminess. Freezing may cause the sauce to separate; if freezing, blend gently after thawing to re-emulsify.
Summary
Chicken with Boursin cream sauce is a luxurious, comforting, and flavorful meal that feels gourmet yet is relatively simple to make. With tender seared chicken and a rich, herb‑infused cream sauce, it’s sure to impress family or guests. The trade‑offs are its richness: saturated fat, calorie density, and sodium. But with smart adjustments—lighter cream, added vegetables, portion control—you can enjoy it as part of a healthy and delicious dinner rotation.
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