Description
How to make creamy Boursin chicken pasta with spring vegetables and garlic that transforms weeknight dinner into restaurant-quality comfort food.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein & Pasta Base
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp butter
Spring Vegetables
- 1 medium zucchini, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/2 cup frozen peas
Flavor Builders
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup dry white wine
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 5.2 oz package Boursin garlic herb cheese
Seasonings & Garnish
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook penne according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining.
- Brown Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then cook 5-6 minutes until golden and cooked through.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add butter to the same skillet. Cook zucchini and asparagus for 3-4 minutes until crisp-tender. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Deglaze Pan: Pour in white wine and scrape up any browned bits. Let it simmer 2 minutes until reduced by half, creating an aromatic base.
- Create Sauce: Reduce heat to low. Add heavy cream and Boursin cheese, whisking gently until smooth and creamy. Don’t let it boil or it might separate.
- Combine Everything: Add cooked pasta, chicken, cherry tomatoes, and peas. Toss gently, adding pasta water as needed to achieve perfect creamy consistency.
- Finish Dish: Remove from heat and stir in fresh basil and Parmesan cheese. Taste and adjust seasoning, then serve immediately while hot and creamy.
Notes
- Don’t let the cream sauce boil or it will separate and become chunky.
- Store in airtight container in refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Cream cheese mixed with herbs can substitute for Boursin in a pinch.
- Add pasta water gradually to achieve perfect sauce consistency.
- Fresh herbs should be added at the very end for best flavor.
- Reheat gently over low heat with a splash of cream to restore texture.
Allergy Information: Dairy, Gluten
Nutrition
- Calories: 485 calories
- Fat: 28g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Protein: 28g