High-Protein Creamy Boursin Orzo Chicken Casserole Recipe Is Fantastic by Donna John

Orzo has become my new favorite ingredient. And after reading about the secret used in this creamy marinara chicken pasta casserole recipe, I had to combine the two. What is that secret ingredient? Boursin cheese! Boursin is a delicious garlic and herb cheese spread that's a blend of garlic, parsley and chives folded into Gournay cheese. If you have not tried Boursin, let me highly recommend that you do.

This creamy Boursin orzo chicken casserole recipe combines so many flavors and ingredients that I love – from sundried tomatoes to fresh spinach to orzo to Boursin. How could I have gone wrong with this creamy high-protein casserole recipe? It was another dinner winner! Plus check out the health benefits of protein.

To make this Italian-inspired chicken casserole recipe you will need chicken breasts, Italian seasoning, olive oil, butter, a shallot, garlic, green onions, orzo, chicken broth, heavy cream, milk, sundried tomatoes in oil, Boursin garlic and herb cheese and fresh baby spinach (check out the health benefits of spinach). The casserole starts on the stovetop and ends in the oven. It is rich, creamy and comforting!

Cooking Note: You can add all of the spinach before baking or half before it goes into the oven and the rest after it comes out of the oven. If you add some or all at the end of cooking time, it doesn't wilt down as much and stays greener. Either way is fine.

Serve this chicken and orzo for dinner with your favorite side dishes. I served mine with zucchini.

Cuisine: American / Italian
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 large or 4 small chicken breasts
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 shallot, chopped
• 6 cloves garlic
• 2 - 3 chopped green onions
• 2 cups orzo 
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup milk (I used evaporated milk)
• 1/3 cup chopped sundried tomatoes in oil 
• 5.2 ounces (1 box) Boursin® Garlic and Fine Herbs Cheese
• 2 - 3 cups baby spinach 

Here's how to make it: 

1. Heat the butter and olive oil in an ovenproof skillet. (I used a cast iron skillet for this recipe. It does not have a lid, so I covered it with aluminum foil while baking.) Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper and the Italian seasonings on both sides. Add to the hot oil and cook until golden on each side, about 2 minutes per side (they will not be cooked through). Remove to a plate. (You could use boneless chicken thighs, but they cook faster so adjust baking time.)
   
2. Add the shallot and garlic. Cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add the orzo and cook, stirring, for 30 more seconds. Season with salt and pepper.
   
3. Add the chicken broth, milk, heavy cream, green onions and sundried tomatoes.
   
4. Stir in the spinach.
   
5. Put the Boursin cheese into the center.
   
6. Put the chicken and any juices back into the skillet.
   
7. Bake, covered, in a preheated 400-degree F oven until orzo is tender and chicken is cooked through, about 30 to 40 minutes, depending on size of chicken. When the chicken is cooked through, remove from the oven.
   
8. Remove the chicken to a cutting board. Stir the Boursin cheese into the orzo. Add more fresh spinach, if desired.
   
9. Slice the chicken, if desired, and serve with the creamy orzo.
   

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