Description
This creamy and flavorful Boursin Orzo with Chicken is a comforting one-pan meal that combines tender seared chicken breasts with cheesy, herb-infused orzo pasta. Enhanced with fresh spinach and Parmesan, it’s an easy-to-make dish perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Orzo and Sauce
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 package (5.2 oz) Boursin cheese (Garlic & Fine Herbs flavor)
- 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
Optional Garnishes
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare and Season Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken breasts evenly with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper to ensure they are flavorful.
- Sear Chicken: Add the seasoned chicken to the hot skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
- Toast Orzo: Using the same skillet with remaining oil and chicken flavors, add the orzo pasta and toast it for 1-2 minutes while stirring constantly to enhance its nutty flavor.
- Simmer Orzo: Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cover the skillet and cook the orzo for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
- Create Creamy Sauce: Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream and Boursin cheese. Continue stirring until the cheese melts completely and forms a creamy, rich sauce coating the orzo.
- Add Spinach: Stir in the chopped fresh spinach and cook for another 1-2 minutes until the spinach is wilted and incorporated into the sauce.
- Combine Chicken and Orzo: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the creamy orzo mixture. Warm everything through for a couple of minutes so the flavors meld.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese and freshly chopped parsley on top before serving to add extra flavor and color.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth for a lighter flavor.
- For a lower-fat option, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- Feel free to add other vegetables like mushrooms or sun-dried tomatoes for variety.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
- Make sure not to overcook the chicken to keep it juicy and tender.
