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    Home » Pasta

    Boursin Orzo with Chicken

    Published: Oct 8, 2022 / Updated: Jan 2, 2023 / 62 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my affiliate disclosure for more details.

    Jump to Recipe

    Dinner is made easy with this one pot 30-minute Boursin orzo with chicken recipe! It's like a risotto but much easier, and the creamy sauce is totally irresistible.

    Love Boursin cheese? Try my Boursin Chicken, this Creamy Boursin Gnocchi, or Ridiculously Easy Boursin Pasta next.

    a bowl of boursin orzo with chicken

    Why you'll love it

    My readers can't get enough Boursin, so I'll happily create more easy Boursin recipes! I suppose it was only a matter of time before I paired it with orzo, everyone's favorite rice-shaped pasta. This one pot chicken pasta is creamy, herb forward, and has a hint of garlic. That means it'll be a hit with even the pickiest of eaters in your home.

    Busy weeknights will get a whole lot easier when you add this really simple Boursin pasta to your rotation. It's got a short list of ingredients, and fewer dishes means less time spent at the sink and more with the family. This is also a super convenient and tasty way to use up rotisserie or leftover chicken. I hope you're as excited about it as I am!

    What you'll need

    • Olive oil and butter - for sautéing
    • Onion and garlic - our tasty aromatics. I prefer Vidalia (sweet onions), but yellow is fine. I use this garlic press to mince the cloves to avoid sticky fingers.
    • Orzo - it looks like rice, but it's actually pasta. You'll find it in the dry pasta aisle.
    • Chicken broth - to infuse more savory flavor into the sauce
    • Boursin - it's a very mild French cream cheese that's readily available in most grocery stores. I used the Garlic and Fine Herb variety here. It's a wonderful combo of buttery, creamy, herby, and salty.
    • Spinach - for a pop of freshness
    • Chicken - I just picked up a rotisserie chicken for convenience
    ingredients for boursin orzo with chicken on a countertop

    How to make Boursin orzo

    This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.

    sauteing onion and orzo in a pot

    In a pot, sauté the onion in the olive oil and butter. Stir in the garlic and the orzo, lightly toasting it for a couple of minutes.

    adding chicken broth and stirring in boursin to a pot

    Pour in the chicken broth. Let it bubble gently, and simmer for about 10 minutes while stirring often. When it's reduced, stir in the Boursin until combined.

    adding chicken an spinach to boursin orzo

    Take the pot off the heat, add in the cooked chicken and spinach, and cover. Let it sit for 5 minutes so the spinach wilts and the chicken heats through. Season with salt & pepper, and serve right away.

    Pro tip

    • Just like with any one pot pasta, stoves and cookware vary. If it looks like it's a bit dry before the orzo is fully cooked, simply turn down the heat and add a touch more broth. If there appears to be too much broth once cooking time has elapsed, just cover the pot and let it sit a little longer. The orzo will absorb the liquid quickly and thicken up as it cools.

    Substitutions and variations

    • Boursin has various flavors you can try, so swap if you see one that you like. I recently spotted one with truffle, and that sounds like a tasty option!
    • To make it extra creamy and luxurious, you can substitute 1/2 cup of the chicken or vegetable broth with heavy cream.
    • The cooked chicken can easily be swapped for cooked shrimp.
    • Our kitchen has only tested this recipe with pasta. If you want to make it with rice, the proportions and timing may change.

    Leftovers and storage

    • This Boursin pasta will keep in the fridge in an airtight container for a few days, but it is best eaten right away as the orzo will soak up the sauce the longer it sits.
    • Reheat in a small saucepan over a low heat slowly. Give it a splash of chicken broth if the sauce needs thinning out a bit.
    • I don't recommend freezing leftovers of this one.

    What to serve with Boursin orzo

    • It's designed to be a complete meal in itself, but my Extra Cheesy Garlic Bread is always a good pairing with any dinner! A slice of crusty bread works too.
    • Try a side salad with mixed greens and Homemade Balsamic Dressing or my family favorite Copycat Olive Garden Dressing.
    • If you want to leave out the chicken altogether, this makes a great side dish for many main courses. Try it with my Easy Baked Salmon or Best Baked Pork Tenderloin.

    More easy orzo recipes

    • Ground Beef Orzo with Tomato Cream Sauce
    • Creamy Tuscan Orzo
    • Creamy Spinach Bacon Orzo
    • Italian Sausage Orzo
    • Creamy Garlic Spinach Orzo
    a spoonful of boursin orzo with chicken

    If you made this simple Boursin orzo or have any questions, talk to me in the comments below! You can also find me on Instagram to showcase your creations.

    a bowl of boursin orzo with chicken

    Boursin Orzo with Chicken

    Dinner is made easy with this one pot 30-minute Boursin orzo with chicken recipe! It's like a risotto but much easier, and the creamy sauce is totally irresistible.
    5 from 22 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6
    Calories 340 kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
     

    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 2 tablespoons butter
    • 1/2 medium onion chopped
    • 2 cloves garlic minced
    • 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
    • 2.5 cups chicken or vegetable broth
    • 5.2 oz/150g Boursin cheese softened
    • 2 cups (packed) fresh baby spinach
    • 2 cups cooked chicken chopped/shredded
    • Salt & pepper to taste
    • Fresh chives chopped (optional, to taste)

    Instructions
     

    • Add the oil, butter, and onion to a pot over medium-high heat. Sauté the onion for 3-4 minutes.
    • Stir in the garlic and orzo. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring fairly often (this step infuses the orzo with more flavor and toasts it a bit).
    • Pour in the chicken broth. Once it starts to bubble, continue cooking for 10 minutes, uncovered, stirring quite often. You will need to turn the heat down a bit (to medium or even medium-low). You want it to gently bubble vs. furiously boil, and you don't want the liquid to reduce too much before the pasta has cooked (it this seems to be happening, add in a splash more broth as needed).
    • Stir in the Boursin until smooth.
    • Take the pot off the heat and stir in the spinach and chicken, then cover the pot for 5 minutes. The spinach will wilt, the chicken will heat through, and the sauce will thicken a little more.
    • Season with salt & pepper to taste and serve with chopped chives sprinkled over top if desired.

    Notes

    • As pots/pans/stoves can all vary, cooking times are a guideline only. At the end of step 3, the bulk of the liquid should be absorbed and the pasta al dente. The orzo will absorb more liquid the longer it sits.
    • Orzo is a rice-shaped pasta. If you want to make this with rice, you may have to adjust liquid measurements and cooking time.
    • Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Salt & Lavender makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 340kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 18gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 72mgSodium: 591mgPotassium: 255mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 1330IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 47mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword Boursin Orzo
    Author Natasha Bull
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    1. Debbie says

      March 16, 2023 at 10:24 AM

      5 stars
      Great recipe! I used broccoli cause that’s all I had. I par cooked my broccoli but everything else was the same. My family loved it!!!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        March 16, 2023 at 10:29 AM

        Fantastic!!

        Reply
    2. Debbie says

      March 8, 2023 at 5:38 PM

      This is super easy and delicious! I used mushroom broth and chicken broth and frozen spinach and rotisserie chicken chopped. It was delicious. Definitely will make again

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        March 9, 2023 at 10:14 AM

        Fantastic!! Thanks, Debbie!

        Reply
    3. Martha Papadakis says

      February 12, 2023 at 6:52 AM

      5 stars
      Super recipe!! And so easy to make - we will be making it again!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        February 12, 2023 at 11:47 AM

        Fantastic!!

        Reply
    4. Susie says

      January 28, 2023 at 5:39 PM

      5 stars
      Wow this is so good! Made the first time and didn’t change a thing and was delicious. Made for the 2nd time and substituted frozen peas for the spinach. Again was absolutely delicious. Am thinking of adding sun dried tomatoes the next time, and there will be a next time!
      Every recipe I have tried from Natasha has been amazing! Thanks for sharing!
      Susie

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        January 28, 2023 at 9:42 PM

        You're very welcome!

        Reply
    5. Robin says

      January 17, 2023 at 7:11 PM

      What a great recipe - for some reason in toasting the orzo I felt the urge to add a bit of tomato paste - I really recommend that for a twist on this recipe. Thank you so much for the inspiration Natasha.

      Reply
      • Robin says

        January 17, 2023 at 7:16 PM

        Also - was a bit low on chicken broth so added 1/2 c white wine to make up the difference....

        Reply
      • Natasha says

        January 17, 2023 at 10:24 PM

        Love that idea! Glad you liked it!

        Reply
    6. Cheryl Mikel says

      January 2, 2023 at 5:04 PM

      5 stars
      Not enough adjectives to say how delicious this recipe tasted, fabulous, delightful, taste bud tantalizing!!! The recipe should have included your cheesy garlic bread. I saw it after we finished devouring this meal. Definitely will add the next time I make this.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        January 2, 2023 at 5:05 PM

        I'm so happy to hear that!! 😀 Thanks for your 5-star review, Cheryl!

        Reply
    7. Sabine says

      December 23, 2022 at 8:14 AM

      5 stars
      Made this a couple of days ago, it was a huge hit.
      I've made a few of your recipes and love that even if it's a last minute thing, I have most, if not all ingredients on hand.
      Thank you!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        December 23, 2022 at 3:06 PM

        I'm thrilled to hear that, Sabine!! 🙂 Thank you!

        Reply
    8. Wendelynn says

      December 22, 2022 at 4:55 PM

      5 stars
      This was easy, fast, and my family loved it! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Miranda @ Salt & Lavender says

        December 22, 2022 at 9:58 PM

        That's awesome to hear! 🙂

        Reply
    9. Unni Nygaard says

      November 26, 2022 at 10:36 AM

      I sautéed the uncooked chicken in small pieces together with the rice and onion before adding the liquid. Much easier and gives more flavor:)

      Reply
    10. Marilyn says

      November 21, 2022 at 11:56 PM

      5 stars
      Really enjoyed this meal. Also liked the idea of leaving the chicken out to have a side dish with another meat.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        November 22, 2022 at 10:25 AM

        I'm so glad you enjoyed it!! Agreed.. the orzo/sauce could be suitable for all sorts of other proteins!

        Reply
    11. Juli says

      November 20, 2022 at 6:57 PM

      5 stars
      Delish. I left out fresh garlic, added diced red pepper
      So fast and easy and customizable with other veggies
      This is a keeper. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        November 20, 2022 at 7:03 PM

        So glad you liked it!! 🙂

        Reply
    12. Deb Maue says

      November 13, 2022 at 6:49 PM

      5 stars
      I’ve made this twice and my whole family loved it. Do you think it could be made with other pastas and if so, how would you modify the recipe?

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        November 13, 2022 at 7:23 PM

        Hi! I'm so glad you all enjoyed it! 🙂 Honestly, I really can't guess without testing. I'd say that keeping an eye on it is a good idea as you may need to add a little more liquid with larger shapes.

        Reply
    13. Diane Hanzlick says

      November 13, 2022 at 4:58 PM

      5 stars
      Fantastic meal! I was surprised that both my boys are spinach for dinner. 🙂

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        November 13, 2022 at 5:05 PM

        Haha I love that!!

        Reply
    14. Sara says

      November 10, 2022 at 1:34 PM

      5 stars
      Easy, quick & delicious! This was a huge hit with both my husband and my 1-year-old! Will definitely be making again. I threw in a large handful of frozen peas during the last minute of cooking the pasta for extra veggies and just bc I love peas in creamy pasta dishes.

      Reply
      • Miranda @ Salt & Lavender says

        November 10, 2022 at 6:18 PM

        Peas are a great idea! So happy your family liked it, Sara. 🙂

        Reply
    15. Tabitha says

      November 8, 2022 at 8:40 PM

      5 stars
      Delicious recipe! Made exactly as instructed and it scratched the Mac-n-cheese but healthier than takeout itch. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        November 8, 2022 at 9:56 PM

        That's awesome!! 😀

        Reply
    16. Kim says

      November 8, 2022 at 6:04 PM

      5 stars
      Was just told by family that this NEEDS to be a repeat!
      I made it with 1 1/2 C orzo and 3 C chicken stock. I also added broccoli florets instead of spinach because my kids would like that better.
      Seriously AMAZING!!!!

      Reply
      • Miranda @ Salt & Lavender says

        November 8, 2022 at 6:20 PM

        Aw that's wonderful to hear! Thank you so much! 🙂

        Reply
    17. Rebecca says

      November 3, 2022 at 5:44 PM

      5 stars
      Made this tonight and it was absolutely delicious. I slowly fryed my chicken earlier in the day with seasonings and then cut into bite size pieces and placed in the fridge until I prepared the recipe for dinner. I used 1 1/4 cups of orzo and added 3 cups of vegetable broth.
      Loved it and will definitely make again !

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        November 3, 2022 at 6:57 PM

        Fabulous! I'm glad it was a hit, Rebecca! 🙂

        Reply
    18. Karen Rees says

      October 31, 2022 at 12:24 PM

      5 stars
      Made this over the weekend and everyone loved it! Super cozy meal! I doubled the recipe and added a bag of matchstick carrots when I was cooking the onions!

      Thank you for such a delicious easy one pot recipe!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        October 31, 2022 at 12:40 PM

        Fantastic!! You're very welcome, Karen. I appreciate your 5-star review!

        Reply
    19. Tanya says

      October 30, 2022 at 12:14 PM

      Very yummy! I would only say it’s probably best to use 3 cups liquid! But excellent recipe, thank you!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        October 30, 2022 at 2:01 PM

        So glad you liked it! 😀 Yup, as pots and stoves and brands of orzo vary, you can definitely tweak the measurements a bit.

        Reply
    20. AngelaML says

      October 28, 2022 at 5:49 AM

      5 stars
      Hi Natasha - Love Boursin cheese so knew this would be a winner from the start (even if it is a little bit of a cheat for me). Loved your earlier recipe for Boursin Chicken and this one even easier as I used Rotisserie chicken. The only change I made was to add some frozen peas along with the spinach. Will definitely be making this one again! ❤️

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        October 28, 2022 at 10:26 AM

        Yay!! That's great to hear, Angela!! 🙂 Appreciate your review as always! XO

        Reply
    21. Jo says

      October 28, 2022 at 2:59 AM

      5 stars
      Really tasty and simple to make!

      I only used 80g Boursin and used cream instead of half a cup of the vegetable stock and it was super tasty. Ended up turning the heat on to wilt the spinach more.

      Will definitely make again!!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        October 28, 2022 at 10:26 AM

        I'm so pleased it was a hit, Jo!! Thanks for sharing how you adapted it... I am sure this will help other readers too.

        Reply
    22. Whitney says

      October 27, 2022 at 12:49 PM

      5 stars
      So good and such an easy weeknight dinner.

      Reply
      • Miranda @ Salt & Lavender says

        October 27, 2022 at 4:30 PM

        Fantastic to hear, Whitney! Thanks for giving it a try.

        Reply
    23. Jen Watson says

      October 20, 2022 at 5:36 PM

      5 stars
      Super easy and delicious! I didn’t use quite as much boursin as recommended, and I also used pork meatballs abd it was still amazing!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        October 20, 2022 at 7:51 PM

        Sounds good to me!

        Reply
    24. Renee says

      October 19, 2022 at 6:57 PM

      This is YUMMM
      I did it with your oven baked chicken breast on top instead of in the pasta, just because I had to cook my chicken while prepping the orzo. For a little more green, I added some frozen sweet peas at the same time as the spinach and it's really good !

      Thank you for this quick recipe !!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        October 19, 2022 at 10:11 PM

        I'm glad you enjoyed it!!

        Reply
    25. Letitia says

      October 18, 2022 at 8:14 PM

      5 stars
      I liked this way more than I hoped I would. I ended up eating 3 bowls and now I can't move. Totally worth it though. Even all my picky kids loved it. It will definitely be on rotation at our house. Thanks for the great recipe!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        October 18, 2022 at 8:25 PM

        Hahhahahaa I love that. 😀 You're welcome!

        Reply
    26. Lisa Campbell says

      October 17, 2022 at 6:05 PM

      I have been to two stores looking for orzo, but they seem to be out of it. Can I substitute with a small/short pasta instead?

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        October 17, 2022 at 8:50 PM

        Hi! You could try, but I'd keep an eye on it in case you need to add more liquid or cook it a little longer.

        Reply
    27. Lisa says

      October 17, 2022 at 2:42 PM

      Does the cooking time/amounts stay the same with gluten free orzo?

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        October 17, 2022 at 3:10 PM

        I have never cooked with gluten-free orzo before, so I am not sure.

        Reply
        • Lisa says

          October 17, 2022 at 5:27 PM

          The directions for gluten free orzo say to cook it for 11 minutes in boiling water. Not sure how that compares to regular orzo.

          Reply
          • Natasha says

            October 17, 2022 at 5:43 PM

            It sounds pretty similar, so I think you could give it a try. I'm not sure if it'll release starch the same way, though. Let me know... I am curious and I hope it works out for you!

            Reply
    28. Dana says

      October 15, 2022 at 6:50 PM

      5 stars
      Made this tonight- delicious!!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        October 15, 2022 at 6:58 PM

        I'm thrilled you enjoyed it, Dana!! 🙂 Thanks for your review!

        Reply
    29. Deborah Blackburn says

      October 11, 2022 at 4:34 PM

      5 stars
      OMG this dish is incredible. I have never purchased Boursin cheese but now its on my weekly grocery list. This dish is YUMMY! Wonderful flavor. I used rotisserie chicken and it was so good. I only got 5 servings but that works since it's only the two of us. I will make this one again!!!!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        October 11, 2022 at 4:58 PM

        That makes me so happy, Deborah!! Thanks for your review!!

        Reply
    30. Chef Mimi says

      October 10, 2022 at 1:50 PM

      I know this is good, because I love Boursin! What a great idea to use it with orzo, chicken, and spinach!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        October 10, 2022 at 1:55 PM

        Thanks!! Let me know if you try it, Mimi! 😀

        Reply

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