Creamy Boursin Orzo

This silky, all-in-one meal brings cozy orzo, rich Boursin cheese, and juicy chicken together. You'll only need half an hour to whip up a satisfying dish that feels like it came from your favorite bistro. Orzo soaks up all those tasty juices as it cooks, giving every bite that 'cooked all day' vibe with barely any work.

When my sister's crew showed up last week, this is what I tossed together. Even her pickiest teen polished off a second helping. What's the trick? That melty Boursin hiding in creamy, herby pockets throughout.

Irresistible Ingredients & Smart Shopping

• Rotisserie Chicken: Still-warm chicken from the shop gives you the juiciest bite and great taste
• Fresh Spinach: Grab firm, vibrant leaves—the heat from the orzo will wilt them down just right
• Sweet Onion: Vidalias bring a gentle sweetness that cuts through the creamy sauce
• Chicken Stock: Stick with the low-salt kind so you’re in charge of how salty things get—better broth means more flavor
• Boursin Cheese: Garlic & Fine Herbs is classic, but try any flavor if you want to mix things up
• Orzo Pasta: Choose a good brand so your orzo keeps its shape after simmering

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Step-by-Step Cooking Guide

Get Things Going:

Step 5:

Once it smells toasty, you’ll get a nutty flavor boost

Step 4:

Add the dry orzo and stir so every pasta piece gets slicked in buttery goodness

Step 3:

Toss in chopped garlic for about half a minute—just until the aroma hits you

Step 2:

Drop in those diced onions and let them go soft and almost see-through

Step 1:

Melt butter and pour in a glug of olive oil in a deep pot, wait for the bubbles

Saucy Stuff:

Step 4:

The orzo should be nearly tender—keep a little bite, you don’t want mush

Step 3:

Stir often so nothing sticks to the pot and everything cooks evenly

Step 2:

Simmer gently—cranking the heat will just make all your liquid cook off too fast

Step 1:

Add chicken broth bit by bit and keep things moving so you avoid clumps

Bring in the Creaminess:

Step 4:

Don’t forget to taste. Boursin brings its own salt, so adjust only if needed

Step 3:

You want the orzo creamy but stirrable—if it’s more like paste, loosen with hot broth

Step 2:

Stir in the cheese until everything is silky smooth

Step 1:

Rip up the Boursin and toss it in—no finesse needed here

Last Bits:

Step 4:

One last gentle stir, and you’re ready to scoop it out

Step 3:

Put the lid on and let it hang out for five minutes—the flavors come together perfectly

Step 2:

Add shredded chicken and baby spinach, folding in so everything gets some love

Step 1:

Take the pot off the burner so you don’t wilt the spinach into mush

We first fell in love with Boursin at a wine night, and since then there’s always some stashed in the fridge. This pasta came about when all I found for dinner was a rotisserie bird and my trusty cheese—the simplest dinners really are the best sometimes.

Home Kitchen Wisdom

This dish is a chameleon. Some evenings I mix in seared mushrooms or sun-dried tomatoes. Last summer, when my herb pots exploded, I showered it with basil and thyme—what a game-changer!

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Easy Prep-In-Advance

If you want to get ahead, chop your onions, measure out what you need, and shred that chicken. Keep each thing in its own container in the fridge—when it’s go time, dinner’s a breeze.

After making this again and again, it’s my no-brainer comfort food that still feels a little fancy. There’s just something about melty Boursin wrapping every orzo grain that turns a humble meal into something worth sharing. And honestly? With so little cleanup, you’ll be hanging out with your crew instead of scrubbing pans.

Recipe FAQs

→ How do I make this vegetarian?

Skip the chicken and swap chicken broth for veggie broth. Toss in more veggies like mushrooms or peas for extra flavor.

→ What works instead of Boursin cheese?

Blend cream cheese with herbs like garlic, parsley, and chives, or use garlic-herb goat cheese as a quick alternative.

→ Can I prep it ahead?

It's better fresh, but you can reheat it slowly with broth or a splash of cream to bring back its creamy texture.

→ Any good side dish ideas?

Pair it with a green salad, roasted veggies, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce. It's filling on its own, too!

→ Can I swap out the orzo?

Sure! Try small pasta shapes like ditalini or mini shells, but be sure to tweak the liquid amounts and cooking time.