Chicken or turkey with cream sauce
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
Tender slices or chunks of poultry, such as chicken or turkey, are gently simmered or smothered in a rich, velvety cream sauce. The result is a dish with a luxurious, smooth texture and a savory, subtly sweet flavor profile. It is a high-protein, low-carb option, with the protein content significantly outweighing the minimal carbohydrates.
Calorie split: 50% protein · 7% carbs · 43% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love this dish for its comforting, indulgent creaminess that elevates simple poultry into a satisfying, restaurant-quality meal. Its versatility allows it to be paired with everything from steamed vegetables to pasta or rice, making it a beloved staple in many home kitchens.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The cream sauce can be high in saturated fat and calories, which may concern those monitoring fat intake. For individuals with lactose intolerance or dairy allergies, the cream can cause digestive discomfort; using lactose-free cream or a plant-based alternative like coconut cream can mitigate this. Additionally, some cream sauces are high in sodium, so using low-sodium broth and seasoning with herbs can help manage intake.
Key benefits
- High in complete protein for muscle maintenance and satiety.
- Very low in carbohydrates and sugar, suitable for low-carb diets.
- Provides a good source of energy from healthy fats.
- Simple preparation makes it a quick, satisfying meal component.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The classic French 'fricassee' is a method of braising meat in a white sauce, and the term comes from the French verb 'fricasser,' meaning to fry or cook in a sauce, which dates back to the 16th century.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 68.5 g |
| Energy | 157 kcal |
| Protein | 19.8 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 7.5 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 2.8 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 1.4 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 46.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.61 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 20.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 197 mg |
| Potassium, K | 241 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 510 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 1.3 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.05 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 17.5 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.08 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.17 mg |
| Niacin | 5.4 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.23 mg |
| Folate, total | 9.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 2.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 6.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 9.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 51.4 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.38 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 47.0 ug |
| Retinol | 46.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 12.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.53 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.40 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 1.5 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 2.5 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.05 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.04 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.05 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.06 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.22 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 1.5 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.46 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 2.7 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.35 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 2.3 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.02 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 1.1 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.97 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.08 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 85.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Turnover, chicken- or turkey-, and vegetable-filled, reduced fat, frozen — USDA does not publish this profile for Chicken or turkey with cream sauce.
| Tryptophan | 0.16 g |
| Threonine | 0.41 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.47 g |
| Leucine | 0.80 g |
| Lysine | 0.61 g |
| Methionine | 0.23 g |
| Cystine | 0.13 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.47 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.37 g |
| Valine | 0.53 g |
| Arginine | 0.51 g |
| Histidine | 0.30 g |
| Alanine | 0.45 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.80 g |
| Glutamic acid | 2.2 g |
| Glycine | 0.38 g |
| Proline | 0.87 g |
| Serine | 0.42 g |
| Hydroxyproline | 0.00 g |
FAQ
Is chicken or turkey with cream sauce suitable for a low-carb diet?
Yes, it is an excellent low-carb option, with only about 2.75g of carbohydrates per 100g, making it ideal for keto or low-carb meal plans.
How can I make this dish healthier without losing flavor?
You can use Greek yogurt or light cream instead of heavy cream, add more herbs and spices for flavor, and serve it with a side of non-starchy vegetables like broccoli or asparagus to increase fiber and nutrient intake.
Can I use other meats in this recipe?
Absolutely. This cream sauce pairs well with pork, veal, or even firm fish like cod or halibut, offering a versatile base for various proteins.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 1.57 kcal/g · 50% calories from protein · 0.0 g fiber · 1.4 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 2.12 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.