There’s something totally comforting about a rich yet easy-to-make chicken dinner, and this Creamy Boursin Chicken Skillet Recipe nails it. The velvety cheese sauce paired with perfectly seared chicken makes every bite feel special—trust me, it quickly became one of my weeknight go-tos.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
What makes this Creamy Boursin Chicken Skillet Recipe stand out is how quickly you get a restaurant-worthy flavor without the fuss. Plus, it’s versatile enough to tweak for whatever you have on hand or feel like that day.
- Quick & Easy: You’ll have dinner ready in about 30 minutes without sacrificing flavor.
- Rich & Flavorful: Boursin cheese brings a creamy, herby punch that makes the sauce irresistible.
- Minimal Ingredients: Most are pantry staples, so you likely won’t need a special trip to the store.
- Customizable: You can add veggies or swap proteins, making it a flexible weeknight winner.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Every ingredient in this Creamy Boursin Chicken Skillet Recipe plays a part in balancing richness, flavor, and texture. Once you get familiar with them, you’ll see how easy it is to improvise while keeping that signature creamy goodness.
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts: They cook quickly and soak up the creamy sauce beautifully. If they’re large, slice them thinner for even cooking.
- Extra virgin olive oil: Adds a subtle fruity base and helps get the chicken golden and crispy.
- Paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper: These spices build a simple but flavorful seasoning that pairs perfectly with Boursin’s herbs.
- Unsalted butter: Creates a silky sauce base and softens the shallots gently.
- Shallot: Offers mild onion flavor that melts into the sauce without overpowering it.
- Garlic: Essential for that warm, aromatic lift in every bite.
- White wine or chicken broth: Deglazes the pan to capture all those delicious browned bits; wine adds acidity while broth keeps it mellow.
- Low sodium chicken broth: Balances the sauce depth without making it too salty.
- Boursin cheese (herb and garlic flavor): The star ingredient – creamy, tangy, and loaded with herbs to make the sauce unforgettable.
- Fresh parsley: Finishes off the dish with a pop of color and fresh flavor.
Make It Your Way
I love how this recipe is a blank canvas for creativity. Sometimes I add mushrooms or spinach to get more veggies in, and other times I swap chicken for turkey cutlets. Feel free to adjust according to what you enjoy!
- Variation: I once took this to a dinner party and added sun-dried tomatoes and a handful of sliced mushrooms to the sauce—it was a hit and gave the dish a lovely depth.
- Low-Carb Option: Serve over zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice instead of pasta for a lighter meal.
- Make It Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes when cooking the garlic for a fun kick.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Boursin Chicken Skillet Recipe
Step 1: Season and Prep Your Chicken
First, pat your chicken breasts dry with paper towels—that helps them brown beautifully. Then drizzle with olive oil and toss with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Make sure each piece is coated evenly; this simple seasoning sets the flavor foundation.
Step 2: Sear the Chicken to Golden Perfection
Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in your skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the chicken and cook without moving for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden and just under 165°F internally. If the outsides brown too fast, splash a bit of water to deglaze instead of burning. This step locks in juicy flavor beneath a crisp crust.
Step 3: Build the Sauce with Shallots and Garlic
Turn the heat down to medium and melt the butter in the same pan. Add thinly sliced shallots and let them soften for 2-3 minutes—this adds a subtle sweetness. Then toss in minced garlic and cook another minute until fragrant, but don’t let it brown or burn!
Step 4: Deglaze and Create That Creamy Magic
Pour in white wine (or more chicken broth if you prefer no alcohol) and use a wooden spoon to scrape up all those tasty browned bits stuck to the pan. Add chicken broth next, then introduce the Boursin cheese. Stir continuously until it melts into a silky, herby sauce. Let it simmer gently to thicken—it thickens beautifully in just a few minutes.
Step 5: Finish & Serve
Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Spoon plenty of that creamy goodness over each piece, sprinkle fresh parsley on top, and serve immediately. I sometimes throw on a bit of shredded Parmesan or chopped chives for extra kick.
Top Tip
After making this Creamy Boursin Chicken Skillet Recipe a few times, I’ve learned some small tricks that really help nail the flavor and texture.
- Pat Chicken Dry: Moisture on the surface steam-cooks the chicken instead of browning it, so always dry well before seasoning.
- Low and Slow for Sauce: Let the sauce simmer gently after melting the cheese—it thickens better and keeps the cheese silky rather than clumpy.
- Don’t Rush Searing: Avoid flipping the chicken too early; wait until it releases easily from the pan for a nice crust.
- Use Fresh Herbs: Stirring fresh parsley into the sauce at the end brightens the richness beautifully.
How to Serve Creamy Boursin Chicken Skillet Recipe
Garnishes
I’m all about fresh parsley because it adds that perfect little burst of color and freshness. Sometimes I sprinkle chopped chives or a grating of Parmesan cheese for an extra touch of indulgence. A light squeeze of lemon juice right before serving also balances the richness nicely.
Side Dishes
This creamy chicken pairs beautifully with garlic mashed potatoes or buttered egg noodles, soaking up all that sauce. For a lighter side, I love roasted seasonal vegetables like asparagus or green beans. If you’re in the mood for pasta, toss fettuccine in the sauce for a complete, comforting meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For dinner guests, I like plating this chicken over a bed of creamy polenta or wild rice pilaf, then topping with microgreens and a drizzle of quality olive oil. It looks fancy but is surprisingly simple to pull off—always earns compliments!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge, and the sauce stays creamy for a couple of days. When reheating, I recommend warming gently on the stove with a splash of broth or water to keep it from drying out.
Freezing
I’ve frozen this chicken before, but the sauce can separate slightly upon thawing. To fix it, reheat slowly and whisk in a little extra cream or broth to bring it back to silky smoothness.
Reheating
Reheat on low heat in a skillet or saucepan, stirring often. Adding a bit of chicken broth or cream helps maintain the sauce’s luscious texture without needing to add fresh cheese. Microwave works in a pinch but stirring halfway through is a must.
Frequently Asked Questions:
While Boursin adds a unique herby creaminess, you can substitute with cream cheese mixed with fresh herbs and garlic powder if needed. The flavor profile changes but it will still be delicious.
No worries if you prefer not to use wine; chicken broth works perfectly well to deglaze the pan and still build great flavor in the sauce.
The internal temperature of the chicken should reach just below 165°F for juicy, tender results. Using a meat thermometer is the easiest way to check doneness and avoid overcooking.
Absolutely! This Creamy Boursin Chicken Skillet Recipe is naturally gluten-free as long as you choose gluten-free chicken broth and wine. Serve with gluten-free sides to keep it safe.
Final Thoughts
I honestly find this Creamy Boursin Chicken Skillet Recipe comforting on so many levels—simple, quick, and so full of flavor. It’s the kind of meal that feels like a treat but doesn’t drain your evening. Give it a try, tweak it your way, and soon it might just become your trusty weeknight hero too.
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Creamy Boursin Chicken Skillet Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: French-inspired
- Diet: Low Salt
Description
This Boursin Chicken recipe features tender, pan-seared chicken breasts coated in a creamy, flavorful sauce made with Boursin cheese, garlic, shallots, white wine, and fresh parsley. It's a quick and elegant dish perfect for a weeknight dinner or special occasion.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 (4-5 oz) boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
Sauce
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 medium shallot, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup white wine
- ½ cup low sodium chicken broth
- 1 (5.2-oz) package Boursin cheese (or ⅔ cup homemade Boursin cheese)
- 2 Tablespoons fresh parsley
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Pat the chicken dry on both sides. Coat it evenly in 1 tablespoon of olive oil, then toss with paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper until well coated.
- Sear the chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium-high heat until hot and shimmering. Add the seasoned chicken breasts and cook for 4 minutes on each side or until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches just below 165°F. Add a splash of water a tablespoon at a time to deglaze the pan if the chicken browns too quickly.
- Cook the onion and garlic: Reduce the heat to medium and melt the unsalted butter in the same pan. Add the thinly sliced shallots and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Make the cream sauce: Pour in the white wine and scrape the brown bits off the bottom of the pan to deglaze. Add the chicken broth, then add the Boursin cheese and stir until melted and combined. Simmer on medium-low heat to thicken slightly, then stir in fresh parsley.
- Cover the chicken and serve: Nestle the chicken breasts back into the pan with the sauce and spoon creamy sauce over each piece. Serve immediately garnished with additional chopped parsley, chives, or parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- If chicken breasts are large, cut in half lengthwise to create cutlets and pound to even thickness for consistent cooking.
- For a creamy Boursin chicken pasta, cook pasta such as fettuccine according to package directions, then toss with the creamy sauce and a bit of pasta water to thin as needed. Serve chicken on top with fresh herbs and a squeeze of lemon juice.
- For a roasted tomato side dish, place 2 pints of whole cherry tomatoes in a baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with kosher salt, then roast at 425°F for about 20 minutes until bursting.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
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