Chicken Orzo with Boursin
Indulge in a cozy bowl of Chicken Orzo with Boursin, where tender orzo pasta meets the savory depth of leftover turkey stock. This dish is elevated by the creamy, herb-infused goodness of Boursin cheese, creating a comforting meal that's perfect for weeknight dinners. With just a sprinkle of fresh herbs and a dash of love, you'll have a crowd-pleaser on your hands in no time!
Prep
15
min
Cook
420
min
Serves
4
people
Level
beginner
📝 Ingredients
Serves 4🥬Fresh Produce(1)
- garlic
🥩Meat & Seafood(1)
- frozen chicken breast (454 g)
🥛Dairy & Eggs(1)
- half a Boursinoptionalyou could use the whole thing
🫙Pantry Staples(1)
- orzo (240 ml)
📦Other(1)
- sun-dried tomatoes (120 ml)
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories
588
Protein
59g
Carbs
56g
Fat
13g
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Place frozen chicken breast, sun-dried tomatoes, and minced garlic in the crockpot.
- 2
Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
- 3
Add orzo and half a block of Boursin cheese for the last 30 minutes of cooking.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Thaw frozen chicken breast for 2-3 hours in the crockpot on LOW before adding orzo, because unthawed chicken releases excess moisture (up to 15% by weight) that will over-dilute the Boursin sauce and make orzo gummy.timing2-3 hours pre-thaw
- ✓Crumble Boursin into pea-sized pieces and stir constantly for the final 8-10 minutes rather than adding as a half-block, because the herbs and cream emulsion breaks if static heat exceeds 160°F, but continuous agitation keeps the mixture below the emulsion breaking point.technique8-10 minutes constant stirring, <160°F
- ✓Use 1.5 cups low-sodium broth (not water) when adding orzo because orzo absorbs 2.5x its dry weight in liquid, and Boursin's 18% salt content will over-concentrate if you rely solely on crockpot evaporation.ingredient1.5 cups broth, 2.5x absorption ratio
- ✓Add sun-dried tomatoes after 4 hours, not at the start, because their 55% acidity will break down chicken proteins too aggressively over 6-8 hours, resulting in mushy, stringy texture rather than tender moist fibers.timing4-hour delay
- ✓Reserve 0.5 cups of the cooking liquid before adding orzo and stir it in at the end if the mixture appears thick, since orzo's starch release (3-4% by weight) can thicken the sauce beyond creamy consistency if evaporation is higher than expected.technique0.5 cups reserved liquid, 3-4% starch release
Share this recipe
Prep
15
min
Cook
420
min
Serves
4
people
Level
beginner
Share this recipe
Chicken Orzo with Boursin
Indulge in a cozy bowl of Chicken Orzo with Boursin, where tender orzo pasta meets the savory depth of leftover turkey stock. This dish is elevated by the creamy, herb-infused goodness of Boursin cheese, creating a comforting meal that's perfect for weeknight dinners. With just a sprinkle of fresh herbs and a dash of love, you'll have a crowd-pleaser on your hands in no time!
📝 Ingredients
Serves 4🥬Fresh Produce(1)
- garlic
🥩Meat & Seafood(1)
- frozen chicken breast (454 g)
🥛Dairy & Eggs(1)
- half a Boursinoptionalyou could use the whole thing
🫙Pantry Staples(1)
- orzo (240 ml)
📦Other(1)
- sun-dried tomatoes (120 ml)
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories
588
Protein
59g
Carbs
56g
Fat
13g
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Place frozen chicken breast, sun-dried tomatoes, and minced garlic in the crockpot.
- 2
Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
- 3
Add orzo and half a block of Boursin cheese for the last 30 minutes of cooking.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Thaw frozen chicken breast for 2-3 hours in the crockpot on LOW before adding orzo, because unthawed chicken releases excess moisture (up to 15% by weight) that will over-dilute the Boursin sauce and make orzo gummy.timing2-3 hours pre-thaw
- ✓Crumble Boursin into pea-sized pieces and stir constantly for the final 8-10 minutes rather than adding as a half-block, because the herbs and cream emulsion breaks if static heat exceeds 160°F, but continuous agitation keeps the mixture below the emulsion breaking point.technique8-10 minutes constant stirring, <160°F
- ✓Use 1.5 cups low-sodium broth (not water) when adding orzo because orzo absorbs 2.5x its dry weight in liquid, and Boursin's 18% salt content will over-concentrate if you rely solely on crockpot evaporation.ingredient1.5 cups broth, 2.5x absorption ratio
- ✓Add sun-dried tomatoes after 4 hours, not at the start, because their 55% acidity will break down chicken proteins too aggressively over 6-8 hours, resulting in mushy, stringy texture rather than tender moist fibers.timing4-hour delay
- ✓Reserve 0.5 cups of the cooking liquid before adding orzo and stir it in at the end if the mixture appears thick, since orzo's starch release (3-4% by weight) can thicken the sauce beyond creamy consistency if evaporation is higher than expected.technique0.5 cups reserved liquid, 3-4% starch release