If you love comfort food with a touch of elegance, this Chicken with Boursin Cheese Sauce Recipe will become your new favorite go-to dish. Imagine tender, golden-brown chicken breasts bathed in a luxuriously creamy sauce infused with the garlicky, herbaceous magic of Boursin cheese. It’s a meal that feels indulgent yet comes together quickly and easily, perfect for busy weeknights or impressing guests without the fuss. Every bite bursts with flavor, making this recipe a wonderful way to elevate simple ingredients into something truly special.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Chicken with Boursin Cheese Sauce Recipe relies on a handful of simple ingredients that each play a crucial role in building layers of flavor and creating a silky, dreamy sauce. From the fresh garlic that wakes up your palate to the luscious cream that balances the herbs, every element counts.
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts: The lean protein base that soaks up the rich sauce beautifully.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil: For golden, perfectly seared chicken with just the right crispness.
- 1/2 cup Boursin cheese (garlic & fine herbs): The star ingredient lending creamy texture and herbal complexity.
- 1 cup heavy cream: Adds richness and smooths out the flavors into a velvety sauce.
- 1/2 cup chicken broth: Brings a subtle savoriness and helps thin the sauce to the ideal consistency.
- 2 cloves garlic, minced: Fresh garlic elevates the dish with aromatic warmth.
- Salt and pepper, to taste: Essential seasonings enhancing every bite.
- Fresh thyme, for garnish: Adds a pop of color and an herbal note that complements the Boursin.
How to Make Chicken with Boursin Cheese Sauce Recipe
Step 1: Heat the Olive Oil
Start by warming the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. This step sets the stage for perfectly seared chicken, ensuring a beautiful crust that locks in juicy tenderness.
Step 2: Season and Cook the Chicken
Generously season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Place them in the hot skillet and cook for 6 to 7 minutes on each side until they develop a gorgeous golden-brown color and are cooked through. This careful searing is what makes the chicken flavorful and moist inside.
Step 3: Set Chicken Aside
Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a plate and let it rest briefly. This pause allows the juices to redistribute, keeping every bite juicy and tender.
Step 4: Sauté the Garlic
In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for just about a minute until it becomes fragrant. This small step fills your kitchen with inviting aromas and builds a flavorful base for your sauce.
Step 5: Combine Boursin, Cream, and Broth
Stir the creamy Boursin cheese, heavy cream, and chicken broth into the skillet. Mix until everything melts together, creating a luscious sauce that’s both herbaceous and smooth. Bring this mixture to a gentle simmer to start thickening.
Step 6: Simmer the Sauce
Let the sauce gently simmer for about 5 minutes. This slow simmer reduces the sauce slightly, concentrating the flavors and achieving the perfect thickness for coating the chicken.
Step 7: Finish Cooking the Chicken in Sauce
Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Let them simmer together for 3 to 4 minutes so the chicken absorbs the creamy, flavorful sauce, and everything heats through harmoniously.
Step 8: Garnish and Serve
Just before serving, sprinkle fresh thyme leaves over the top. These little herbal accents add a fresh burst of green and elevate the visual appeal, making your dish irresistible.
How to Serve Chicken with Boursin Cheese Sauce Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh thyme is classic, but you can also try finely chopped parsley or chives for a fresh, vibrant twist. A light dusting of cracked black pepper on top adds a subtle kick that plays wonderfully against the creamy sauce.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs beautifully with fluffy mashed potatoes or creamy polenta, which soak up every bit of the delicious sauce. For a lighter option, steamed green beans or a crisp garden salad bring balance and freshness to the plate.
Creative Ways to Present
For a dinner party, serve the chicken sliced on a warm platter with the sauce drizzled over, garnished with whole thyme sprigs. Or nestle each portion on a bed of sautéed spinach for a colorful, elegant presentation that will wow your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftovers from your Chicken with Boursin Cheese Sauce Recipe, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll stay fresh for up to 3 days, making for easy reheating that keeps the creamy sauce intact.
Freezing
You can freeze this dish, but keep in mind that creamy sauces sometimes separate upon thawing. It’s best to freeze the chicken and sauce separately if possible, or give the sauce a good stir and gentle reheating after thawing to bring it back together.
Reheating
To reheat, warm the chicken and sauce gently in a skillet over low heat. This prevents the sauce from curdling and keeps the chicken moist. Adding a splash of cream or broth can revive the sauce’s silky texture if needed.
FAQs
Can I use other types of cheese instead of Boursin?
While Boursin cheese is what gives this recipe its distinctive garlicky herb flavor, you can try cream cheese mixed with garlic and herbs as a substitute, but the taste won’t be quite the same. Boursin has a unique freshness that sets this dish apart.
Is it possible to make this recipe dairy-free?
This recipe relies on dairy for its amazing creamy sauce, so making it fully dairy-free would require significant substitutions like non-dairy cream and a dairy-free herb cheese alternative, which might alter the texture and flavor. For the best results, stick to the original ingredients.
How can I make this recipe spicier?
Add a pinch of red pepper flakes when you sauté the garlic or season the chicken with some smoked paprika before cooking. This will add a subtle heat that complements the creamy sauce without overpowering it.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs will add a bit more juiciness and richness to the dish. Just adjust cooking time to ensure they are fully cooked and tender.
What wine pairs well with this Chicken with Boursin Cheese Sauce Recipe?
A crisp Chardonnay or a lightly oaked Sauvignon Blanc complements the creamy sauce beautifully, cutting through the richness while highlighting the herbs. If you prefer red, a light Pinot Noir works nicely too.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend the Chicken with Boursin Cheese Sauce Recipe enough for anyone looking for a quick yet impressive meal. It’s the kind of dish that instantly feels like a treat but comes together effortlessly. Once you try it, it will likely become a beloved staple in your dinner rotation, bringing comfort and delight to your table time and again.
Print
Chicken with Boursin Cheese Sauce Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: French-inspired
Description
This creamy and flavorful Chicken with Boursin Sauce recipe features tender boneless chicken breasts cooked to golden perfection and coated in a luscious sauce made from garlic and herb Boursin cheese, heavy cream, and chicken broth. Garnished with fresh thyme, this dish makes for an elegant yet simple meal perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Sauce
- 1/2 cup Boursin cheese (garlic & fine herbs)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Garnish
- Fresh thyme, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the oil. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat to prepare for cooking the chicken.
- Cook the chicken. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then place them in the skillet and cook for 6-7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through.
- Set chicken aside. Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate to rest.
- Sauté garlic. Add the minced garlic to the same skillet and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, ensuring it doesn’t burn.
- Make the sauce. Stir in the Boursin cheese, heavy cream, and chicken broth into the skillet. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, allowing the cheese to melt into the creamy base.
- Simmer the sauce. Let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly and develops a rich, creamy texture.
- Combine chicken and sauce. Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, coating them evenly with the sauce. Simmer together for an additional 3-4 minutes to heat the chicken through and meld the flavors.
- Garnish and serve. Remove from heat and garnish the dish with fresh thyme before serving hot.
Notes
- This dish pairs well with steamed vegetables, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
- For a lower-fat version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a lighter cream alternative.
- If fresh thyme is unavailable, dried thyme can be used but reduce quantity as it is more concentrated.
- Ensure the chicken breasts are cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
