Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Pasta:
- 1 pound pasta (penne, rotini, or farfalle work great!)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 (5.2 oz) package Boursin cheese (garlic & fine herbs)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
- Red pepper flakes, for garnish (optional)
Let’s Talk Boursin: The Star of the Show
Okay, let’s be real – Boursin cheese is what makes this pasta sing! It’s creamy, it’s flavorful, and it melts like a dream into the sauce. You can usually find it in the specialty cheese section of your grocery store, near the brie and goat cheese. I always go for the garlic & fine herbs flavor because, well, garlic! But feel free to experiment. They have a few different flavors, like cracked black pepper, shallot & chive or basil & chives. If you’re feeling adventurous, try one of the other flavors!Prepping Like a Pro: Tips for Success
Before we dive into cooking, a little prep work goes a long way. I like to chop my chicken into bite-sized pieces and toss it with the spices. This ensures every piece is packed with flavor! Also, mince your garlic – nobody wants big chunks of garlic in their pasta. And, of course, get your water boiling for the pasta! Make sure you salt the water generously, it seasons the pasta from the inside out.Step-by-Step Instructions
Cooking the Chicken:
- In a large bowl, toss the chicken pieces with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Make sure the chicken is evenly coated.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the chicken to the skillet in a single layer (work in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding).
- Cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and lightly browned. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Making the Boursin Sauce:
- While the chicken is cooking, cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- In the same skillet you used to cook the chicken, add another tablespoon of olive oil and heat over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, or until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. This adds tons of flavor!
- Add the Boursin cheese and heavy cream to the skillet. Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. This might take a few minutes, so be patient!
- If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to thin it out to your desired consistency.
- Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese.
Bringing It All Together:
- Add the cooked pasta and cooked chicken to the skillet with the Boursin sauce. Toss to coat everything evenly.
- Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. You might want to add a little more salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes for a touch of heat.
- Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Troubleshooting Tips: Because Things Happen!
- Sauce too thick? Add more pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, until you reach the perfect consistency.
- Sauce too thin? Simmer the sauce for a few minutes longer to allow it to reduce and thicken.
- Chicken dry? Make sure you don’t overcook the chicken. It should be cooked through but still juicy. You can also add a little extra olive oil to the skillet while cooking.
- Boursin cheese not melting? Break the Boursin into smaller pieces before adding it to the skillet. This will help it melt more evenly.
Variations to Make It Your Own
This Boursin Chicken Pasta is fantastic as is, but feel free to get creative and add your own twist!- Add veggies: Sauté some spinach, mushrooms, or sun-dried tomatoes with the garlic for extra nutrients and flavor.
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce or use a spicy Boursin cheese.
- Make it cheesy: Add a sprinkle of mozzarella or provolone cheese to the pasta before serving for an extra cheesy experience.
- Add some herbs: Fresh basil, oregano, or thyme would be delicious additions to the sauce.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
This pasta is best served fresh, but you can definitely make some components ahead of time. The chicken can be cooked and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The sauce can also be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When you’re ready to serve, simply cook the pasta and combine everything together. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave, adding a splash of milk or broth to keep it from drying out.Why This Recipe Rocks (and Why You’ll Love It)
Listen, I know there are a million pasta recipes out there, but this Boursin Chicken Pasta is truly special. It’s quick, easy, and packed with flavor. The Boursin cheese creates a creamy, decadent sauce that’s simply irresistible. Plus, it’s versatile – you can easily customize it to your liking with different veggies, spices, or cheeses. This is also much easier than my Chicken Pasta Proposal recipe which takes a bit more time. If you are looking for something super simple, you may also try Creamy Tomato Chicken Pasta. For something with a more unique flavor, Honey Pepper Chicken Pasta is a great choice.Final Thoughts: Get Ready to Dig In!
So, there you have it – my ultimate Boursin Chicken Pasta recipe! I know you’re going to love it as much as I do. It’s the perfect comfort food for a cozy night in, a quick and easy weeknight dinner, or even a fancy-ish meal to impress your friends. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different variations and make it your own. Now, go ahead and get cooking – you deserve a delicious bowl of this cheesy, creamy goodness!What kind of Boursin cheese is recommended for this recipe, and can I use other flavors?
The recipe recommends the garlic & fine herbs Boursin cheese. However, you can experiment with other flavors like cracked black pepper, shallot & chive, or basil & chives if you’re feeling adventurous.
What should I do if the Boursin sauce is too thick or too thin?
If the sauce is too thick, add more pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, until you reach the desired consistency. If the sauce is too thin, simmer it for a few minutes longer to allow it to reduce and thicken.
Can I prepare parts of this Boursin Chicken Pasta dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can cook the chicken and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The sauce can also be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Cook the pasta when you’re ready to serve and combine everything.
What are some variations I can try with this recipe?
You can add veggies like spinach, mushrooms, or sun-dried tomatoes. For spice, add red pepper flakes or use a spicy Boursin. For extra cheesiness, add mozzarella or provolone. You can also add fresh herbs like basil, oregano, or thyme.
BEST BOURSIN CHICKEN PASTA EVER
This Boursin Chicken Pasta recipe delivers a creamy, cheesy, and flavorful dish with succulent chicken and herby, garlicky notes. It’s a quick and easy meal perfect for weeknights or special occasions, and can be easily customized with different vegetables, spices, or cheeses.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large bowl, toss the chicken pieces with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Make sure the chicken is evenly coated.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the chicken to the skillet in a single layer (work in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding).
- Cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and lightly browned. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- While the chicken is cooking, cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- In the same skillet you used to cook the chicken, add another tablespoon of olive oil and heat over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, or until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. This adds tons of flavor!
- Add the Boursin cheese and heavy cream to the skillet. Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. This might take a few minutes, so be patient!
- If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to thin it out to your desired consistency.
- Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese.
- Add the cooked pasta and cooked chicken to the skillet with the Boursin sauce. Toss to coat everything evenly.
- Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. You might want to add a little more salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes for a touch of heat.
- Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Notes
Sauce too thick? Add more pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, until you reach the perfect consistency. Sauce too thin? Simmer the sauce for a few minutes longer to allow it to reduce and thicken. Chicken dry? Make sure you don’t overcook the chicken. It should be cooked through but still juicy. You can also add a little extra olive oil to the skillet while cooking. Boursin cheese not melting? Break the Boursin into smaller pieces before adding it to the skillet. This will help it melt more evenly. The chicken can be cooked and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The sauce can also be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave, adding a splash of milk or broth to keep it from drying out. Add sautéed spinach, mushrooms, or sun-dried tomatoes with the garlic for extra nutrients and flavor. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce or use a spicy Boursin cheese. Add a sprinkle of mozzarella or provolone cheese to the pasta before serving for an extra cheesy experience. Fresh basil, oregano, or thyme would be delicious additions to the sauce.
