By When the dinner time rush hits, and you need dinner that the whole family will love but is also high in protein and low in carbs, make this boursin spaghetti squash! This high-protein dinner recipe is ready in as little as 30 minutes, thanks to a little trick to quickly cook spaghetti squash, making it the perfect dish for a busy weeknight.
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When I make high-protein dinners, I generally lean really fresh, using California cuisine as inspiration. In contrast, Dan leans heavier but also wants it to be healthy. Well, this recipe is exactly what Dan likes, and thanks to Herby Boursin cheese, it's what I love, too!
Boursin cheese originated in France as a common soft cheese, but now that it's made its way to the US, it's become the fancy cheese! It comes in various flavors, and there's even a plant-based version! It would also be delicious in high protein Marry Me Tuscan chicken, and this sauce could be served with my cottage cheese meatballs. Enough talking, though; let's get cooking!
I don't want to speak for you, but you will love this Boursin spaghetti squash
- So fast: Thanks to a microwave shortcut for cooking spaghetti squash, this recipe comes together in 30 minutes.
- Minimal ingredients: Boursin cheese is so cool because it's a soft cheese that melts beautifully and is already packed with garlic and herbs. This means you can add tons of flavor to a dish without a bunch more ingredients!
- What chicken you have works: I used pre-shredded rotisserie chicken, but you could also make this with ground chicken or leftover chicken! Whatever you have works.
grab these ingredients
All substitutions are a 1:1 substitute unless otherwise noted. See the recipe card for quantities.
- Veggies: Of course, spaghetti squash is one of the main staples of this recipe, but you'll also need a white onion. Be sure to pick out a small squash so it cooks quickly!
- From the pantry: You'll need avocado oil (or olive oil), garlic powder, salt & pepper, and panko breadcrumbs.
- Chicken: Grab a juicy rotisserie chicken and chicken bone broth. Preshredded chicken or cooked ground chicken works too.
- Cheese: Grab garlic and herb Boursin cheese, and make sure you have parmesan cheese, as well! I always freshly shred a block of parmesan for the best texture.
high protein ingredient spotlight: rotisserie chicken
Turning to pre-cooked rotisserie chicken is one of the smartest shortcuts for creating high-protein meals without compromising on time or nutrition. A 3.5-ounce serving provides about 23 grams of protein for just 170 calories, along with nutrients like iron, zinc, and B vitamins.
Many grocery stores now offer the meat already pulled and shredded, eliminating the need to mess with raw chicken or spend time prepping it (try Costco's $4.99 option). Try shredded rotisserie chicken in my fall chicken salad recipe or my BBQ chicken rice bowl!
here's how to make cheesy spaghetti squash (with photos & video!)
- Cook the Squash: Slice and deseed the spaghetti squash. Puncture the thick skin and drizzle with oil. Bake for 15-20 minutes.
- Start the filling: Saute the onions and garlic, and then add the spices.
- Make it creamy: Add the chicken broth and Boursin cheese and stir till you have a smooth sauce. Then add the chicken.
- To make the crispy topping, mix the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil with panko breadcrumbs and shredded Parmesan in a small bowl.
- Create the boats: Once the squash is done, scrape the insides with a fork and add to the skillet with the chicken mixture. Be careful - it'll be super hot! Stir to combine, then fill the empty squash shells with the mixture. Top with the breadcrumb mixture and broil on high for a few minutes until the top is golden and the cheese melts.
quick recipe video
expert tips
- Skip the prep: Rotisserie chicken is now sold as prepared rotisserie chicken. This means you can buy a sealed meat container, already removed from the bones and shredded. This saves so much time! I get mine at Costco near the deli and cheese.
- The perfect sauce consistency: If your sauce seems too thick, add chicken broth a tablespoon at a time until it is perfect and saucy.
- Extra crunch: Toast the panko breadcrumbs in a dry pan before mixing with the Parmesan, and then garnish your boats with fresh basil.
making spaghetti squash in the microwave
You can also slice the squash, deseed it, punch holes in it, and then microwave it in a shallow bowl with a splash of water in it. It takes about 7 minutes per squash. This is ideal for cooking just one squash, but otherwise, it takes more time to do two rounds since you can only fit one squash in the microwave at a time.
common questions
Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Just be sure to let it cool completely before storing it. I like to store just the filling and not the actual squash shell. I don't recommend freezing it because the spaghetti squash releases too much moisture.
Either in the oven or the microwave. You may need to add more broth to bring back the saucy consistency.
You can replace Boursin cheese with herb and garlic cream cheese, goat cheese, feta cheese, or whatever cheese you want! I stick to the white and creamy/thick cheeses with herb seasoning.
There are plenty of side dishes you can serve with this cheesy fall dinner. If you're looking for a side salad, try my roasted brussels sprout salad or lemon kale bean salad! Or, if you're looking for more of a traditional spaghetti side, throw some cheesy garlic bread or protein biscuits into the oven right before you serve your chicken spaghetti squash.
troubleshooting and testing notes
Making the squash in the microwave
While it is a time-saving technique I regularly use when cooking for just myself, I found this more time-consuming with 2 squash. Because you can only fit one squash in the microwave at a time, you have to cook it them in batches.
More pasta and cheese flavor options
A couple of notes from testing: this sauce is incredible with literally any pasta, so go wild if you don't like spaghetti squash! For the cheese, you can use any type of Boursin cheese flavor!
Recipe
creamy boursin spaghetti squash with chicken
Ingredients
- 2 small spaghetti squash (split in half lengthwise and seeds removed)
- 3 tablespoon avocado oil
- 1 medium white onion (diced)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ cup chicken bone broth
- 1 5.2 OZ Boursin fine herb cheese ((this is a standard package size))
- salt & pepper (to taste)
- 2 cups rotisserie chicken (1.5 pounds cooked and shredded)
- ¼ cup panko bread crumbs
- ¼ cup parmesan (grated)
Before you start!
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Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Slice the 2 small spaghetti squash in half lengthwise and remove the seeds. Poke the outside of the spaghetti squash several times, at least 1" deep. Drizzle or spray the flesh with 1 of the 3 tablespoon avocado oil and season with salt & pepper. Place flesh side down on a large baking sheet. Bake for 15-25 minutes. You'll know the squash is done when the flesh is tender and can easily be scraped with a fork.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped 1 medium white onionand saute for 2-3 minutes; add the ½ teaspoon garlic powder, and additional ¼ teaspoon salt, and pepper and stir to coat. Continue to cook till the onions are soft.
- Add the ¾ cup chicken bone broth and 1 5.2 OZ Boursin fine herb cheese and stir till you have a smooth sauce. Cook for 5 minutes or so until it's bubbly and slightly thickened. Then, stir in the 2 cups rotisserie chicken (shredded) and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.
- In a small bowl, mix the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil with ¼ cup panko bread crumbs and ¼ cup parmesan. Set aside.
- Once the squash is done, use a fork to scrape the flesh into strands and add them to the skillet with the chicken mixture. Stir to combine, then fill the empty squash shells with the mixture. Top with the breadcrumb mixture and broil on high for a few minutes until the top is golden and the cheese melts. Watch closely to prevent burning.
Video
Notes
- Skip the prep: Rotisserie chicken is now sold as prepared rotisserie chicken. This means you can buy a sealed meat container, already removed from the bones and shredded. This saves so much time! I get mine at Costco near the deli and cheese.
- The perfect sauce consistency: If your sauce seems too thick, add chicken broth a tablespoon at a time until it is perfect and saucy.
- Extra crunch: Toast the panko breadcrumbs in a dry pan before mixing with the Parmesan, and then garnish your boats with fresh basil.
You can also slice the squash, deseed it, punch holes in it, and then microwave it in a shallow bowl with a splash of water in it. It takes about 7 minutes per squash. This is ideal for cooking just one squash, but otherwise, it takes more time to do two rounds since you can only fit one squash in the microwave at a time.
Looking for more information?
Additional substitution information can be found above in the substitution section of this post.
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate and for informational purposes only.
Made this for dinner for my man and I. I cut the recipe in half since it was just the two of us. I also scooped the mixture into a baking dish to "hide" it was squash. Didn't work, he knew, but he loved it - as did I. I mixed parmesean with a gouda. Can't wait to have the leftovers for lunch tomorrow after the flavors marinate all rigged
together. Great, quick dinner. it truly was delicious, not too rich. Thank you for the recipe!
That's great to hear! Love the addition of the other cheeses!
This dish is absolutely wonderful! I used rotisserie chicken and it worked like a charm! What a flavorful, satiating dish! I will definitely make this again and again! The leftovers were even better the second day because the flavors had time to meld together! Wonderful recipe! Thank you!
I'm so happy you enjoyed it!
My husband and I really enjoyed this with leftover meatballs instead of the chicken...trying to clear out the leftovers. I will try the chicken next time. I had no panko on hand so added extra parmesan. I completely forgot about my love of garlic but won't next time (meno brain fog lol) but it was still great I would definitely make again. 😊 Thanks for sharing!
So happy you enjoyed!
No way to Pin this recipe 🙁 AND, TOOOO many annoying ads.
Any recipe of ours can be found on pinterest simply by searching "joy to the food" 🙂 and we have an ad free option should they really bother you