One Pan Boursin Chicken Orzo (Printable)

Tender chicken, creamy Boursin cheese, orzo, and fresh spinach come together in one pan for a comforting meal with minimal cleanup.

# What You Need:

→ Meats

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.1 lbs), cut into bite-sized pieces

→ Vegetables

02 - 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
03 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Pasta

05 - 1 cup orzo

→ Dairy

06 - 1 package (5.3 oz) Boursin cheese (Garlic & Fine Herbs recommended)
07 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

→ Liquids

08 - 2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth

→ Oils & Seasonings

09 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
10 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
11 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
12 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
13 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt (plus more to taste)
14 - Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - Heat olive oil and butter over medium-high heat in a large, deep skillet or sauté pan. Season diced chicken breast with salt, pepper, thyme, and oregano.
02 - Add seasoned chicken to the hot pan. Cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring frequently until golden brown and nearly cooked through. Transfer chicken to a plate and reserve.
03 - Reduce heat to medium. Add diced onion to the same pan and sauté for 3–4 minutes until softened, scraping up browned bits from the bottom. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Stir orzo into the pan and toast for 2 minutes, stirring frequently to coat and lightly brown the pasta.
05 - Pour in chicken broth and return chicken with any accumulated juices to the pan. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 8–10 minutes. Stir occasionally until orzo is al dente and most liquid has been absorbed.
06 - Reduce heat to low. Stir in Boursin cheese until completely melted and sauce is creamy. Fold in spinach and cook for about 2 minutes until just wilted. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
07 - Transfer to serving plates and garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pan, so you get maximum flavor with minimal cleanup effort
  • The Boursin creates an incredibly rich sauce without needing any heavy cream or complex techniques
02 -
  • Don't skip toasting the orzo—it adds a nutty depth that makes the dish taste restaurant-quality
  • The sauce will continue thickening as it rests, so don't panic if it seems slightly loose at first
03 -
  • Pat the chicken completely dry before seasoning for the best golden sear
  • Reserve some pasta water if you prefer a looser sauce texture

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