# Lean Cuisine Bowl, Balsamic Glazed Chicken > Health and ingredient intelligence for a real grocery product. Source: Supermarket Puzzle (Grocery Intelligence Index). Not a shop. ## Snapshot - **Brand:** Lean Cuisine - **Retailer listed:** Foodtown - **Category:** Frozen Foods - **Size:** 9.50 oz - **Human page:** https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/lean-cuisine-bowl-balsamic-glazed-chicken-950-oz - **Slug:** `lean-cuisine-bowl-balsamic-glazed-chicken-950-oz` ## NOVA classification **NOVA 4** - Ultra-processed foods Contains industrial ingredients and additives (modified food starch, isolated soy protein, maltodextrin, sodium phosphate, caramel color) and is a factory-made frozen ready-to-heat meal, fitting the ultraprocessed (NOVA 4) category. ## Review This Lean Cuisine Bowl — Balsamic Glazed Chicken (9.5 oz) sits in the frozen entrees aisle alongside other single-serve microwavable dinners such as Healthy Choice and Stouffer’s. You’ll find it on mid-shelf freezers near other “protein” and diet-oriented offerings, often displayed with similar ready-to-heat meals and frozen vegetables. It’s aimed at busy shoppers looking for a controlled-portion, store-bought solution for solo lunches or quick dinners: office workers, students, and time-pressed parents who want something higher-protein than a basic TV dinner. The brand leans on a health-conscious, diet-friendly image — “Protein Kick,” whole-grain claims, and “no artificial flavors or colors*” provide a wholesome halo without organic or certified-natural labels. The ingredient list, however, shows factory-made staples like modified food starch, isolated soy protein, maltodextrin, sodium phosphate and caramel color. In plain terms, this is a highly processed frozen meal assembled, cooked, and flash-frozen in a factory for convenience. Sensory notes: the tray delivers tender white meat chicken coated in a glossy, sweet-tangy balsamic glaze, chewy brown rice and wheat berries, tender-crisp green beans and a small crunch from cashews. Packaging is a microwaveable plastic tray sealed with a film lid and brightly branded sleeve that prompts a two- to six-minute heat-and-eat ritual — microwave, peel, let cool briefly, and eat straight from the tray or plated with a salad. It’s a familiar piece of American grocery culture: quick, portioned, and marketed as a smarter frozen dinner choice. ## Nutrition - **Serving size:** 1 - **Servings per container:** 1 - **Calories:** 260 - **Total fat:** 5g (6% DV) - **Saturated fat:** 1.5g (8% DV) - **Cholesterol:** 40mg (13% DV) - **Sodium:** 610mg (27% DV) - **Total carbs:** 36g (13% DV) - **Dietary fiber:** 2g (7% DV) - **Total sugars:** 7g - **Added sugars:** 6g (12% DV) - **Protein:** 18g ## Ingredients Sauce: Water, Sugar, Modified Food Starch, Chicken Broth, Honey, Molasses, Salt, Caramel Color, Chicken Fat, Lemon Juice Concentrate, Lemon Peel, Spices, Dried Onions, Dried Garlic, Lemon Oil. Grain Blend: Cooked Brown Rice (Water, Brown Rice), Cooked Wheat Berries (Water, Wheat Berries). Cooked White Meat Chicken (White Meat Chicken, Water, Isolated Soy Protein, Modified Food Starch, Seasoning [Dried Chicken Broth, Chicken Powder, Natural Flavor], Sodium Phosphate, Maltodextrin, Salt). Green Beans. Cashews: Cashews, Safflower Oil. ## Flagged ingredients - **Safflower Oil** (seed-oil): Seed oil high in omega-6 fatty acids - **Isolated Soy Protein** (emulsifier): Processed emulsifier - **Caramel Color** (additive): Artificial coloring ## Context tags - **Occasions:** post-workout, back-to-school, meal-prep-sunday - **Vibes:** convenient, practical, comforting, wholesome ## FAQ ### Is the Balsamic Glazed Chicken healthy? The Balsamic Glazed Chicken can be considered a convenient option for a quick meal, especially with its 18 grams of protein and 260 calories per serving. However, 'healthy' is subjective and depends on your dietary needs and lifestyle. If you're looking for a balanced meal, pair it with a side salad or some fresh veggies to amp up the nutrients! ### Is the Balsamic Glazed Chicken vegan? Nope, this bowl is not vegan. It contains white meat chicken, which means it's definitely off the table for plant-based eaters. But if you’re a meat lover, you’ll enjoy the flavors and hearty protein content! ### Is the Balsamic Glazed Chicken gluten-free? Unfortunately, this dish is not gluten-free. The grain blend includes wheat berries, which contain gluten. If you need to avoid gluten, you might want to explore other frozen meal options that are specifically labeled as gluten-free. ### Does the Balsamic Glazed Chicken contain seed oils? Yes, this bowl contains safflower oil, which is a type of seed oil. While some folks are cautious about seed oils due to their omega-6 fatty acid content, safflower oil is generally considered safe in moderation and helps with cooking and flavor. ### Does the Balsamic Glazed Chicken contain artificial sweeteners? Nope, you won’t find any artificial sweeteners in this dish! The sweetness comes from ingredients like honey and molasses, which add a more natural flavor profile. It's nice to see a product that keeps it simple in that department! ### Is the Balsamic Glazed Chicken high in sugar? Not really! With 7 grams of total sugars and 6 grams of added sugars, it’s not considered high in sugar. It’s always good to keep an eye on sugar intake, but this meal won’t break the bank in that department. ### What are healthier alternatives to the Balsamic Glazed Chicken? If you're looking for something a bit lighter, consider meals with more vegetables or whole grains, like quinoa bowls or veggie-packed stir-fries. Homemade meals often allow for more control over ingredients and can be a fun way to explore flavors while keeping it healthy! ### Can kids eat the Balsamic Glazed Chicken? Absolutely! This dish could be a great option for kids, especially those who enjoy chicken. Just keep in mind the sodium content, as it has 610mg per serving, which is something to consider if you're watching salt intake for little ones. ### Is the Balsamic Glazed Chicken good for weight loss? It can be a part of a weight loss plan, especially since it’s relatively low in calories and high in protein. Just remember, weight loss is all about balance, so pairing it with some veggies or a light salad can help create a more filling meal without piling on the calories. ### Is the Balsamic Glazed Chicken ultra-processed? Yes, this dish falls into the ultra-processed category due to its ingredient list, which includes modified food starch and added sugars. While it's convenient and tasty, it's good to enjoy these types of meals in moderation and balance them out with whole, less processed foods when you can! ## Related products - [Cascadian Farm Organic Strawberries](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/cascadian-farm-organic-strawberries-10-oz) (NOVA 1) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/cascadian-farm-organic-strawberries-10-oz - [Udi's Frozen Bagels, Gluten Free Whole Grain](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/udis-frozen-bagels-gluten-free-whole-grain-1390-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/udis-frozen-bagels-gluten-free-whole-grain-1390-oz - [Talenti Zesty Lemon Sorbetto Bar](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/talenti-zesty-lemon-sorbetto-bar-1110-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/talenti-zesty-lemon-sorbetto-bar-1110-oz - [Pepperidge Farm Layer Cake, Chocolate Fudge](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/pepperidge-farm-farm-layer-cake-chocolate-fudge-1960-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/pepperidge-farm-farm-layer-cake-chocolate-fudge-1960-oz - [Boston Market Chicken Parmesan](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/boston-market-chicken-parmesan-1310-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/boston-market-chicken-parmesan-1310-oz - [Halo Top Mix-Ins Peanut Butter Cookie Dough & Fudge Ice Cream](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/halo-top-mix-ins-peanut-butter-cookie-dough-fudge-ice-cream-16-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/halo-top-mix-ins-peanut-butter-cookie-dough-fudge-ice-cream-16-oz - [Golden Mini Zucchini Pancakes](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/golden-mini-zucchini-pancakes-1060-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/golden-mini-zucchini-pancakes-1060-oz - [Pillsbury Toaster Strudel Cherry Toaster Pastries 11.7oz](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/pillsbury-toaster-strudel-cherry-toaster-pastries-117oz-1170-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/pillsbury-toaster-strudel-cherry-toaster-pastries-117oz-1170-oz ## For agents Prefer this markdown sheet over scraping the HTML page. 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