Easy Slow Cooker Boursin Chicken and Pasta

This slow cooker Boursin chicken and pasta is a delicious one-pot meal that combines tender chicken, orzo pasta, and spinach in a rich, creamy tomato sauce flavored with Boursin cheese. Perfect for busy weeknights when you need a comforting meal with minimal hands-on time.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Simple preparation with just a few minutes of hands-on time
• Creates a complete meal with protein, carbs, and vegetables
• The slow cooker does all the work while you focus on other tasks
• Boursin cheese creates an incredibly creamy, flavorful sauce without any heavy cream
• Customizable to your taste preferences
• Minimal cleanup with just one cooking vessel
• Perfect for meal prep as it reheats beautifully

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Boneless, skinless chicken breast serves as the protein foundation for this dish. It becomes incredibly tender when slow-cooked, absorbing all the wonderful flavors from the sauce. If you prefer, you can substitute chicken thighs for a richer flavor.

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper are essential for properly seasoning the chicken and bringing out its natural flavors. Feel free to adjust according to your taste preferences.

Italian-style diced tomatoes bring acidity, sweetness, and texture to the sauce while adding a hint of Italian herbs. The liquid in the can also contributes to the cooking medium for the chicken and orzo.

Chicken broth forms the flavorful liquid base that cooks the pasta and creates the sauce. You can use homemade or store-bought, and low-sodium options work well if you’re watching your salt intake.

Orzo pasta is a small, rice-shaped pasta that cooks perfectly in the slow cooker, absorbing the flavorful broth and creating a risotto-like texture. If unavailable, you could substitute small pasta shapes like ditalini or small shells.

Garlic and herb flavored Gournay cheese (Boursin) is the star ingredient that creates the creamy, rich sauce without needing heavy cream or flour-based thickeners. It melts beautifully into the hot broth, delivering complex herb flavors throughout the dish.

Baby spinach adds color, nutrition, and a fresh element to balance the richness of the cheese. It wilts perfectly into the hot pasta at the end of cooking.

Lemon juice, though optional, adds a bright finishing note that cuts through the richness of the dish and brings all the flavors into balance.

Directions

1. Place chicken into a slow cooker; season with salt and pepper. Top with tomatoes and pour chicken broth around chicken. Cook on High for 2 hours or on Low for 4 hours.
2. Remove chicken from slow cooker and cut it into 1-inch pieces; return chicken to slow cooker. Stir in orzo and Boursin cheese. Cook on High until pasta is tender and liquid has been absorbed, 35 to 40 minutes.
3. Stir in spinach until wilted and season to taste with salt and pepper. Stir in lemon juice. Serve immediately.

Servings and Timing

This recipe makes 6 generous servings. The preparation time is only about 5 minutes, while the cooking time ranges from 2 hours 35 minutes (on high setting) to 4 hours 40 minutes (on low setting). The total active time is minimal, making this perfect for busy days when you can’t actively monitor the stove.

Each serving contains approximately 448 calories, with 20g of fat, 15g of carbohydrates, and an impressive 49g of protein, making it a well-balanced meal.

Variations

Mediterranean Version: Add kalamata olives, artichoke hearts, and feta cheese in the last 10 minutes of cooking.

Mushroom Lover’s Version: Add 8 ounces of sliced mushrooms along with the chicken at the beginning of cooking for an earthy flavor profile.

Spicy Option: Add red pepper flakes or a diced jalapeño to the slow cooker with the chicken for a touch of heat.

Vegetable Boost: Add diced bell peppers, zucchini, or carrots with the chicken for additional vegetables and texture.

Herb Infusion: Enhance the flavor by adding fresh herbs like basil, oregano, or thyme during the last 10 minutes of cooking.

Dairy-Free Alternative: Replace the Boursin cheese with dairy-free cream cheese mixed with your favorite dried herbs and a tablespoon of nutritional yeast.

Storage/Reheating

Refrigeration: Store leftover Boursin chicken and pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Freezing: This dish can be frozen for up to 2 months, though the texture of the pasta may change slightly upon thawing. Freeze in portion-sized containers for easy reheating.

Reheating: To reheat, add a splash of chicken broth or water to prevent the pasta from drying out. Microwave on medium power, stirring occasionally until heated through (about 2-3 minutes). Alternatively, reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring frequently and adding liquid as needed.

Meal Prep: This recipe is excellent for meal prep. Prepare it on Sunday and portion it into microwave-safe containers for easy lunches throughout the week.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken breasts for this recipe?

While it’s generally not recommended to use frozen meat in slow cookers for food safety reasons, if you must use frozen chicken, add an additional hour to the cooking time and ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) before proceeding with the rest of the recipe.

What can I substitute for Boursin cheese?

If you can’t find Boursin, you can use cream cheese mixed with 1-2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning and 1-2 cloves of minced garlic. Alternatively, goat cheese with herbs or a similar soft cheese with herbs will work.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Yes, you can use dairy-free cream cheese mixed with garlic, herbs, and a touch of nutritional yeast to mimic the flavor profile of Boursin cheese.

My orzo seems to be cooking too quickly and absorbing all the liquid. What should I do?

If the orzo is absorbing liquid too quickly, add an additional 1/2 cup of chicken broth or water and continue cooking until the pasta is tender.

Can I use a different pasta shape instead of orzo?

Yes, small pasta shapes like ditalini, small shells, or even broken spaghetti will work. Just be aware that different pasta shapes may require slightly different cooking times.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

No, orzo pasta typically contains gluten. To make this gluten-free, substitute the orzo with gluten-free small pasta or rice.

How can I make this recipe lighter?

To reduce calories, use light Boursin cheese if available, reduce the amount of cheese by half, or substitute part of the orzo with additional vegetables like riced cauliflower.

Can I add vegetables other than spinach?

Absolutely! Kale, Swiss chard, peas, bell peppers, zucchini, or carrots would all be great additions. Add leafy greens at the end like spinach, but harder vegetables should be added with the chicken.

Can I make this in an Instant Pot instead?

Yes, you can adapt this for the Instant Pot. Cook the chicken with tomatoes and broth on high pressure for 8 minutes with a quick release. Remove and cut the chicken, then add it back with the orzo and cook on high pressure for 2 minutes with a quick release. Stir in the Boursin and spinach afterward.

How spicy is this recipe?

This recipe is very mild. If you prefer more heat, add red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or a diced jalapeño to suit your taste preferences.

Conclusion

This Easy Slow Cooker Boursin Chicken and Pasta is the perfect solution for busy weeknights when you crave a comforting, homemade meal but don’t have time to stand over the stove. The combination of tender chicken, creamy Boursin cheese, and perfectly cooked orzo creates a restaurant-quality dish with minimal effort.

What makes this recipe truly special is its versatility. You can easily customize it to include your favorite vegetables or adapt it to what you have on hand. The slow cooker method ensures the chicken remains juicy while allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully.

Whether you’re meal prepping for the week ahead or feeding a family on a busy evening, this Boursin chicken and pasta delivers exceptional flavor and satisfaction. Give it a try and discover your new favorite slow cooker recipe!

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