Description
This creamy Boursin chicken pasta recipe combines tender seared chicken breasts with luscious Boursin cheese, fresh spinach, and cherry tomatoes tossed with al dente fettuccine for a quick, flavorful dinner the whole family will love. Ready in just 30 minutes, this dish brings a delightful blend of creamy, garlicky, and herb-infused flavors with simple ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 chicken breasts (about 1 lb or 450 g)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Pasta
- 8 oz (225 g) fettuccine pasta
- Salt, for pasta water
- 1 cup reserved pasta water
Sauce and Vegetables
- 5 oz (150 g) Boursin cheese (garlic and herbs flavor)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms (optional)
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes (optional)
Garnish
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare and season chicken: Season the chicken breasts evenly with salt and black pepper on both sides to taste.
- Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Place the chicken breasts carefully in the pan and cook for 6-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest before slicing to retain its juices.
- Cook the pasta: While the chicken cooks, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fettuccine and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
- Sauté garlic and vegetables: In the same skillet used for chicken, reduce heat to medium and add minced garlic. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Then add halved cherry tomatoes and cook for 2-3 minutes until they soften. Add fresh spinach and cook until wilted. If using mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, or red pepper flakes, add them during this step to layer the flavors.
- Toss pasta with sauce: Reduce heat to low. Add the cooked fettuccine to the skillet with vegetables, then add the Boursin cheese and a splash of the reserved pasta water. Gently toss until the cheese melts and thoroughly coats the pasta. Add more pasta water as needed to reach your desired creamy consistency.
- Serve: Slice the rested chicken breasts and arrange on top of the creamy pasta. Finish with additional black pepper and grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley for a fresh, aromatic touch. Serve warm and enjoy your comforting, flavorful meal!
Notes
- Resting the chicken after cooking helps keep it juicy and tender.
- You can customize the vegetables by adding mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, or your favorite herbs.
- If you prefer a lower-fat option, substitute Boursin cheese with a lighter cream cheese alternative, but some creaminess will be lost.
- Reserve pasta water as it contains starch that helps bind the sauce and pasta smoothly.
- To make this dish spicier, increase red pepper flakes or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
