Imagine a fancy-tasting, delicious chicken dinner ready in just 30 minutes with only four ingredients. This creamy keto Boursin chicken recipe is a lifesaver for busy families, offering a versatile dish loved by everyone. Whether you're following a keto diet or just looking for a simple weeknight meal, this recipe is easy to customize and packed with flavor.
What is Boursin Cheese?
Boursin cheese is a creamy, spreadable herb cheese that originated in France in 1957. It is known for its smooth and velvety texture, as well as its rich and savory flavor profile. The classic Boursin cheese recipe typically includes a base of cow's milk cheese, to which garlic and herbs are added. The result is a rich, savory, and creamy cheese with pungent aromatics like fresh herbs and garlic. It’s well-balanced, as the creamy cheese complements the herbs and spices quite well.
Ingredients You'll Need
This recipe requires just a few simple ingredients:
- Chicken breasts (or chicken thighs)
- Boursin cheese (Garlic & Fresh Herbs is recommended)
- Fresh spinach (or frozen)
- Chicken broth (or bone broth/chicken stock)
- Olive oil
- Kosher salt
- Black pepper
- Optional: garlic powder, Italian seasoning, cherry tomatoes, butter
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prep the Chicken
- Slice the chicken breast in half horizontally to get 4 thinner cuts of chicken, or use chicken thighs and flatten them with a meat mallet prior to cooking. Hammer them down to even thickness using a meat hammer, rolling pin or meat tenderizer.
- Season the chicken on both sides with kosher salt and black pepper.
Cook the Chicken
- Heat a cast iron skillet or other large skillet over medium heat.
- When it is warm, add in the olive oil, then cook the chicken on each side for 5-8 minutes until it is golden brown and has an internal temperature of 165ºF. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate.
Make the Sauce
- In the same cast iron skillet, pour in the chicken stock and add the package of Boursin cheese.
- Break the Boursin apart with a spoon and stir it until it is melted, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan.
- When the Boursin is melted, add in the spinach and toss to wilt gently.
Serving
- Serve this chicken dish warm, drizzled with the Boursin sauce and your favorite sides.
Tips and Variations
Ingredient Substitutions
- Chicken: While chicken breasts work best, chicken thighs can also be used.
- Boursin: The Garlic & Fresh Herbs wheel of Boursin cheese (the green package) is highly recommended, but you could also use the Shallot & Chive Boursin cheese (the purple package). If you can't find Boursin cheese, try using cream cheese, Laughing Cow cheese, goat cheese or gorgonzola cheese.
- Dairy-Free: Boursin has a dairy-free version you could use to keep this dairy-free. Alternatively, use Kite Hill cream cheese as a Boursin alternative, and a dairy-free pesto.
- Spinach: If you don't have fresh spinach, you could use frozen. Thaw it and squeeze out the water, adding in ½ cup packed thawed and squeezed-out frozen spinach.
- Chicken Stock: You can use bone broth, chicken broth, or chicken stock.
- Pasta: Don’t have spaghetti squash on hand? Swap it for zucchini noodles, roasted sweet potatoes, or even gluten-free pasta.
Flavor Enhancements
- Spice: Feel free to spice this up with extra red pepper flakes, sliced jalapeno, or a little Cajun seasoning! For a chefy upgrade, try adding a teaspoon of calabrian chili paste.
- Tomatoes: To keep it extra low carb, I've limited the amount of tomatoes. But if you're not counting carbs, I recommend using a ½-cup of the tomatoes. It adds such a beautiful, sweet, and vibrant flavor.
- Mushrooms: For a nice addition, you can saute 8oz of sliced mushrooms in the pan before adding in the sauce ingredients.
- Bacon/Pancetta: Add crispy bacon or pancetta to the sauce for a salty, smoky flavor.
Serving Suggestions
- Low-Carb/Keto: Serve with cauliflower mash and a side of roasted broccoli or green beans.
- Kid-Friendly: Serve this chicken cut up with extra Boursin sauce for dipping. Mashed potatoes or white rice also work well.
- Side Dishes: Serve the chicken with a side of asparagus salad, green beans, a serving of shirataki noodles (which has zero net carbs), spiral-cut zucchini noodles, or roasted vegetables for a complete and nutritious meal. If you're looking for a heartier meal, try serving the chicken with some cauliflower mash or cauliflower rice.
- Other Options: Serve with zucchini noodles, roasted sweet potatoes, or even gluten-free pasta. For a protein boost? Add cooked shrimp or crumbled Italian sausage for a different spin.
Cooking Tips
- Even Thickness: Pound your chicken breasts to an even thickness so they cook evenly.
- Searing: Sear them for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, or just until a nice golden brown crust is formed.
- Deglaze the Pan: Add in the white wine (or broth) and use a whisk to “deglaze” the pan, scraping the bottom to remove all of the brown bits (aka the “fond”).
- Don't Overcrowd the Pan: Brown the chicken in batches. Do not overcrowd the pan.
Freezing and Reheating Instructions
- Freezing: Freeze in a freezer-safe airtight container for up to 6 months.
- Thawing: Thaw in the fridge overnight or reheat straight from frozen.
- Reheating: Reheat either in the microwave until warm, about 3-5 minutes if thawed, or 6-10 minutes if frozen. Reheating the sauce over the stovetop can help to emulsify the sauce.
Why This Recipe Works
This recipe is a winner because of the creamy Boursin cheese sauce. The Boursin cheese melts into the sauce, infusing it with flavor and transforming it into a silky sauce.
Nutritional Information
My Boursin chicken recipe has only 4.6 g net carbs, making it keto-friendly. This is an easy dish packed with protein and healthy fats, making it an excellent option for anyone following a keto or low-carb diet.
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
Boursin Chicken: FAQs
- Where do I find Boursin cheese? Boursin cheese is usually kept in the specialty cheese section of larger grocery stores. It may be found in the regular cheese aisle next to the cream cheese as well.
- Can I substitute the Boursin cheese? If you can't find Boursin cheese, try using cream cheese, Laughing Cow cheese, goat cheese or gorgonzola cheese.
- What Boursin cheese is the best? When it comes making Boursin chicken, I prefer to use the Garlic & Fine Herbs or Shallot & Chives.
- Is this dish keto-friendly? Yes, just ensure your pesto is low-carb, and this is a creamy low-carb chicken bake that fits well within a keto meal plan.
- Can I use a different cheese instead of Boursin? Absolutely! Cream cheese, feta cheese, or goat cheese with a mix of garlic and herbs makes a great substitute.
- What if I don’t have spaghetti squash? You can use zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta instead.
Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide
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