This One Pan Creamy Tomato Chicken Boursin Orzo is a hearty and delicious meal that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner! It’s loaded up with chicken thighs, veggies, and creamy orzo pasta. Everything cooks in one pot so you will have minimal dishes to clean up after as well.
In February 2022, I created an Orzo Recipe Series on TikTok where I created 8 new orzo recipes during the month of February. It was definitely a fan favorite! In honor of the 1 year anniversary of this series, I am creating a February Orzo Series Part 2!
This One Pan Creamy Tomato Chicken Boursin Orzo is the eight and final recipe in my new series and I hope you love it!
Creamy Tomato Chicken Boursin Orzo Recipe Details
This recipe features tender chicken thighs that are marinated in a flavorful mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, and spices. Cook the chicken until golden and crispy before setting aside for later. Next, start working on the creamy tomato orzo, consisting of minced shallots, garlic, tomato paste, and cherry tomatoes. Simmer the orzo in chicken broth until it’s tender and infused with all the flavors of the dish. The creamy element of this dish comes from the addition of Boursin cheese, which adds a luscious and tangy flavor to the orzo.
Finally, the cooked chicken is added back into the pan, along with some spinach, which adds a pop of color and nutrition to the dish. The spinach wilts quickly in the heat of the orzo, creating a creamy and flavorful sauce that’s hard to resist. Optionally, finish with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, which adds a sharp and salty note that complements the richness of the Boursin cheese.
One of the best things about this recipe is that it can be customized to your liking. You can use chicken breast instead of chicken thighs, or you can add in your favorite vegetables to the orzo mixture. You could even swap out the Boursin cheese for another creamy cheese, like goat cheese or feta.
Recipe Ingredients
Chicken Ingredients
1.5 lbs Chicken Thighs cut into 1 inch pieces – feel free to use chicken breast instead. I tend to use chicken thighs more because I think they’re easier to cook. You can cook them longer to get some nice color without the risk of them drying out. I have found it’s pretty much impossible to overcook chicken thighs!
2 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 tbsp Lemon Juice – I always recommend freshly squeezed!
1 tsp Salt
1/2 tsp Black Pepper
3/4 tsp Italian Seasoning
1/4 tsp Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, and Red Pepper Flakes
Orzo Ingredients
1 Shallot minced
4 cloves Garlic minced
1/4 cup White Wine – use this to deglaze the pan to scrape up all those flavorful bits from cooking the chicken. You can also use water or broth. I like using a dry white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio. You donât need anything fancy, but I like using a wine that I would actually drink!
1 cup Orzo – add your orzo uncooked â super easy! The orzo will toast in the oil and then cook in the chicken broth.
2 tbsp Tomato Paste
10 oz Cherry Tomatoes
2 cups Chicken Broth – I often use water and some Low-Sodium Better Than Bouillon Roasted Chicken Base. I use chicken broth in many of my recipes and a jar still lasts for months. I have found itâs much more convenient to keep a jar of it on hand rather than buying cans or cartons of chicken broth all of the time.
Salt & Pepper to taste
2.6 oz Boursin Cheese – I used half a package of Garlic & Herb Boursin Cheese. Boursin Cheese is similar to cream cheese, but much more flavorful! I also like the Shallot & Chive flavor.
2 cups Spinach – I used a Spinach & Arugula mix. Feel free to use any leafy green you prefer. It should wilt quickly when stirred into the hot pasta.
1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese – optional, but always delicious. Freshly grated is best!
Creamy Tomato Chicken Boursin Orzo Instructions
Chicken Instructions
In a large bowl, combine all of the chicken ingredients. Let it marinade for about 15 minutes while you prep the other ingredients.
Heat a large high-rimmed pan over medium-high heat. Add a drizzle of olive oil. Pour in the marinaded chicken. Cook for about 5 minutes a side. Then to continue to toss the chicken for another few minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove to a plate.
Orzo Instructions
In the same pan over medium heat, add the minced shallot and garlic. Cook for 1 minute stirring constantly. Deglaze the pan with wine, broth, or water. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any stuck bits. Cook for 2 minutes until the liquid cooks off.
Add the uncooked orzo and tomato paste. Stir to combine. Cook for 2 minutes to let the orzo toast.
Add the cherry tomatoes and chicken broth. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil then lower the heat to a simmer. Stir often so the orzo doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan. It will take about 12-15 minutes for the orzo to cook through. Add additional broth if needed to cook the orzo if it’s absorbing too quickly.
Once the orzo is cooked through, turn the heat to low. Add the Boursin cheese and mix until well combined and melted. Add back the cooked chicken and stir to combine. Finally, add the spinach and stir to combine. The spinach should wilt quickly.
Serve immediately with freshly grated parmesan cheese as desired.
Leave a Review!
Overall, this One Pan Creamy Tomato Chicken Boursin Orzo recipe is a winner. It’s easy to make, delicious, and can be customized to suit your preferences. Give it a try the next time you’re looking for a comforting and hearty meal that’s sure to please everyone at the table!
If you try this One Pan Creamy Tomato Chicken Boursin Orzo, feel free to rate/leave a review. You can also tag me on Instagram or TikTok!
Make sure to check out my other recipes from my February Orzo Series Part 2:
One Pan Creamy Tomato Chicken Boursin Orzo
Ingredients
Chicken Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs Chicken Thighs cut into 1 inch pieces; can also use chicken breast
- 2 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
- 3/4 tsp Italian Seasoning
- 1/4 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/4 tsp Onion Powder
- 1/4 tsp Red Pepper Flakes
Orzo Ingredients
- 1 Shallot minced
- 4 cloves Garlic minced
- 1/4 cup White Wine can also use water or broth
- 1 cup Orzo uncooked
- 2 tbsp Tomato Paste
- 10 oz Cherry Tomatoes
- 2 cups Chicken Broth add more as needed
- Salt & Pepper to taste
- 2.6 oz Boursin Cheese I used half a package of Garlic & Herb Boursin Cheese
- 2 cups Spinach I used a Spinach & Arugula mix
- 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese optional to serve
Instructions
Chicken Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine all of the chicken ingredients. Let it marinade for about 15 minutes while you prep the other ingredients.
- Heat a large high-rimmed pan over medium-high heat. Add a drizzle of olive oil. Pour in the marinaded chicken. Cook for about 5 minutes a side. Then to continue to toss the chicken for another few minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove to a plate.
Orzo Instructions
- In the same pan over medium heat, add the minced shallot and garlic. Cook for 1 minute stirring constantly. Deglaze the pan with wine, broth, or water. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any stuck bits. Cook for 2 minutes until the liquid cooks off.
- Add the uncooked orzo and tomato paste. Stir to combine. Cook for 2 minutes to let the orzo toast.
- Add the cherry tomatoes and chicken broth. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil then lower the heat to a simmer. Stir often so the orzo doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan. It will take about 12-15 minutes for the orzo to cook through. Add additional broth if needed to cook the orzo if it's absorbing too quickly.
- Once the orzo is cooked through, turn the heat to low. Add the Boursin cheese and mix until well combined and melted. Add back the cooked chicken and stir to combine. Finally, add the spinach and stir to combine. The spinach should wilt quickly.
- Serve immediately with freshly grated parmesan cheese as desired.
Video
@carolbeecooks February Orzo Series (pt 2): One Pan Creamy Tomato Chicken Boursin Orzo đ This one is definitely a complete meal in one pan with lots of chicken thighs, veggies, and creamy orzo! Let me know if youâre giving it a try â¤ď¸ #orzo #onepan #boursin #tomato #chickenthighs
⏠original sound – Carolyn | Easy Recipes
March 11, 2023 at 2:28 amI love Boursin Cheese! I buy the three pack from Costco to eat on triscuits. So, when I came across this recipe, I was excited to try it. My husband and I loved it. Unfortunately, I didn’t have any chicken on hand so I pan seared some pork loin chops with the seasoning mixture from the recipe. Then sliced them really thin after cooking and topped our orzo with them! Sooo good!!!
March 12, 2023 at 3:48 pmI love the Boursin three pack from Costco! So glad you enjoyed the recipe!
September 28, 2023 at 6:53 pmCan you put this in the freezer ( left overs đ )
September 30, 2023 at 4:49 pmI haven’t tried freezing it but I have found that pasta tends to not freeze super well so I probably wouldn’t recommend it!