Chicken Boursin Cheese Pasta Recipe

Are you craving a restaurant-quality meal that's ridiculously simple to make? Chicken Boursin Cheese Pasta might just become your new weeknight hero. This five-ingredient wonder transforms ordinary chicken and pasta into a creamy, luxurious dish that'll have everyone asking for seconds. You'll love how quickly it comes together, and the rich Boursin cheese creates a sauce that's both elegant and comforting. Want to know the secret to making this foolproof recipe? Keep reading to unlock culinary magic.

Recipe Highlights

• Sauté bite-sized chicken pieces in olive oil until golden brown, seasoning with salt and pepper for maximum flavor development.
• Boil pasta in well-salted water, cooking to al dente, and reserve 1/2 cup of starchy pasta water for creating a creamy sauce.
• Melt Boursin cheese into warm pasta, gradually adding reserved pasta water to create a silky, glossy sauce that coats ingredients evenly.
• Combine cooked chicken with the creamy Boursin sauce, using gentle folding techniques to ensure thorough and uniform distribution of flavors.
• Customize the dish by experimenting with different Boursin cheese varieties, pasta types, or adding optional vegetables like spinach for enhanced nutrition.

History

Although pasta dishes have roots stretching back centuries, the Chicken Boursin Cheese Pasta represents a more modern culinary innovation that blends traditional cooking techniques with contemporary flavor profiles.

You'll trace this dish's origins to the late 20th century, when French-style soft cheese manufacturers began experimenting with herb-infused spreadable varieties. Boursin cheese, created by François Boursin in 1957, became a pivotal ingredient that transformed simple pasta recipes.

Key historical developments include:

• The rise of quick, accessible gourmet cooking
• Growing consumer interest in fusion cuisine
• Increasing demand for convenient, restaurant-quality meals at home

The Chicken Boursin Cheese Pasta emerged as a perfect representation of these culinary trends, offering you a sophisticated yet approachable dining experience that bridges traditional and modern cooking techniques.

Recipe

Chicken Boursin Cheese Pasta is a luxurious yet simple dish that transforms basic ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal. The creamy Boursin cheese creates a velvety sauce that perfectly coats tender chicken and pasta, delivering rich garlic and herb flavors in every bite.

This elegant pasta recipe comes together quickly, making it ideal for busy weeknight dinners or when you want to impress guests with minimal effort. By using just five ingredients, home cooks can create a delectable meal that feels sophisticated and indulgent.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound penne pasta
• 2 chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 packages (5.2 oz each) Boursin garlic and herb cheese
• 1/2 cup pasta cooking water
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil and cooking the penne pasta according to package instructions.

While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Cook the chicken for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through.

Before draining the pasta, reserve 1/2 cup of the starchy cooking water.

Return the drained pasta to the pot and add the Boursin cheese and reserved cooking water. Stir until the cheese melts and creates a smooth, creamy sauce.

Add the cooked chicken and gently mix to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated with the rich sauce.

For best results, serve the pasta immediately while the sauce is hot and creamy. If the sauce thickens too much, gradually add warm pasta water to restore its silky consistency.

The Boursin cheese can be easily swapped with other flavors, but the garlic and herb version provides the most classic taste profile. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container and gently reheated with a splash of milk to maintain the sauce's creamy texture.

Cooking Steps

You'll start by boiling salted pasta water and carefully preparing your ingredients, ensuring each component is ready for a smooth cooking process.

Cook the chicken in a skillet over medium-high heat, browning the pieces until they're golden and fully cooked through, which typically takes about 6-8 minutes.

After draining the pasta with care, you'll return it to the pot and transform the dish by stirring in the creamy Boursin cheese, creating a luxurious sauce that will coat every single penne noodle.

Step 1. Boil Salted Pasta Water

When preparing the perfect pasta, selecting the right pot and water is crucial for achieving delectable results.

Choose a large pot that'll give your pasta plenty of room to move, ensuring even cooking and preventing sticking. Fill the pot with approximately 4-6 quarts of water for one pound of pasta, allowing ample liquid for proper boiling.

Add 1-2 tablespoons of kosher salt per pound of pasta, which seasons the noodles from within and enhances overall flavor. Bring water to a rolling boil—you'll see vigorous bubbles breaking the surface consistently.

The water should be at a high enough temperature that it doesn't stop bubbling when you add pasta. Stir occasionally during initial cooking to prevent noodles from clumping together.

Professional chefs know that well-salted, rapidly boiling water is the foundation of perfect pasta.

Step 2. Cook Chicken in Skillet

Fire up your skillet and prepare to transform those chicken pieces into golden, flavorful morsels that'll elevate your pasta dish.

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat, ensuring the pan's surface is evenly coated. Add bite-sized chicken pieces, spreading them in a single layer to guarantee maximum browning potential. Let the chicken sizzle undisturbed for 3-4 minutes, developing a beautiful golden-brown exterior that locks in moisture and flavor.

• Season chicken with salt and pepper before cooking
• Avoid overcrowding the skillet to prevent steaming
• Flip pieces when the bottom turns golden and crisp
• Cook for an additional 2-4 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F

Watch for visual cues: chicken should look uniformly golden, with no pink remaining in the center.

Your perfectly cooked chicken will add textural contrast and protein-rich depth to the creamy Boursin pasta.

Step 3. Drain Pasta Carefully

Draining pasta might seem straightforward, but precise technique ensures your Chicken Boursin Cheese Pasta turns out perfectly creamy and delectable.

Hold your colander securely in the sink, using oven mitts if the pot is heavy and hot. Tilt the pot slowly, allowing the water to stream into the colander while preventing pasta from splashing or falling. Reserve 1/2 cup of starchy cooking water before complete drainage—this liquid gold helps create a silky, emulsified sauce later.

Key draining tips:

• Shake colander gently to remove excess water
• Don't rinse pasta unless making a cold salad
• Return pasta immediately to the pot
• Keep some pasta water nearby for sauce adjustment

Timing is crucial; drain just before the pasta reaches perfect al dente texture to prevent overcooking.

Step 4. Add Cheese to Pot

Swirl your pasta pot back onto the stove, transforming it into the stage for your creamy sauce creation. Lower the heat to medium-low, ensuring a gentle environment for your Boursin cheese to melt smoothly.

Break up the two 5.2 oz packages of garlic and herb Boursin, dropping chunks directly into the warm pasta. Use a wooden spoon to stir methodically, watching the cheese slowly transform into a silky, luxurious sauce.

• Add reserved pasta water gradually
• Stir continuously to prevent clumping
• Aim for a glossy, even coating

Your goal is a consistent, creamy texture that clings perfectly to each pasta ridge. If the sauce seems too thick, splash in warm pasta water, stirring until you achieve the ideal velvety consistency.

Work deliberately but confidently, letting the residual heat do most of the melting work.

Step 5. Stir and Combine Thoroughly

Gently fold the golden-brown chicken pieces into your newly created creamy sauce, ensuring each bite will be perfectly coated. Use a large wooden spoon or spatula to distribute the chicken evenly throughout the pasta, creating a uniform mixture that guarantees flavor in every forkful.

Stir continuously, allowing the residual heat to help the Boursin cheese melt completely into the pasta water, creating a silky, luxurious sauce.

Pay close attention to the consistency, watching for a smooth, glossy finish that clings beautifully to both the pasta and chicken.

If the sauce seems too thick, gradually add small splashes of reserved pasta water, stirring between additions until you achieve the ideal creamy texture.

Your goal is a harmonious blend where cheese, chicken, and pasta become one irresistible dish.

Final Thoughts

Because this Chicken Boursin Cheese Pasta is such a versatile and satisfying meal, you'll find it quickly becoming a go-to recipe in your culinary repertoire. You'll appreciate how simple ingredients transform into a restaurant-quality dish with minimal effort.

The beauty of this recipe lies in its adaptability; you can easily swap Boursin cheese flavors or add vegetables like spinach or roasted bell peppers for extra nutrition.

Remember that precise cooking techniques matter: golden-brown chicken, perfectly al dente pasta, and a silky cheese sauce are key to success. When you master these elements, you'll create a consistently delicious meal that impresses family and friends.

Experiment confidently, knowing the recipe's fundamental structure provides a reliable foundation for your culinary creativity.