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Boursin Orzo Bake with Chicken and Veggies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 72 reviews

This Boursin Orzo Bake with Chicken and Veggies is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender roasted chicken and sweet potatoes combined with creamy Boursin cheese and spinach, all mixed with al dente orzo pasta. Roasting the garlic cloves whole brings out a rich, mellow garlic flavor that blends beautifully into a cheesy, slightly golden bake finished with Parmesan and fresh herbs for a delicious, cozy meal perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

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Chicken and Veggies

  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cubed
  • 1 large sweet potato, cubed in 1/2-inch chunks
  • 6 whole cloves garlic, root ends trimmed
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper, divided
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, divided

Orzo and Cheese

  • 1 1/4 cup orzo, uncooked
  • 1 1/2 cup starchy pasta water (reserved from cooking orzo)
  • 1 5.2 oz round Boursin cheese
  • 3 cups spinach, chopped
  • 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat and prepare vegetables: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Grease a 9×13 or 10×15 casserole dish. Trim the root end off the garlic cloves but keep the peels on to prevent drying out during roasting; trimming helps to easily squeeze the garlic out later.
  2. Season and roast sweet potatoes and garlic: Place the sweet potato cubes and garlic cloves in the casserole dish. Drizzle with 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil, sprinkle with ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning. Toss everything well with your hands to coat evenly. Roast for 20 minutes until slightly tender.
  3. Prepare and season chicken: While the sweet potatoes roast, cube the chicken breast and pat dry with paper towels. Season the chicken with the remaining ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper, and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning. Also, bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil for cooking the orzo.
  4. Add chicken and Boursin cheese: After 20 minutes, remove the casserole dish from the oven. Push the sweet potatoes and garlic to one side to make space. Place the entire round of Boursin cheese in the center and add the seasoned cubed chicken around it. Drizzle with the remaining 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil. Return the dish to the oven and roast for an additional 15 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and edges are golden.
  5. Cook the orzo: Add the orzo to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions (typically 9-11 minutes) until al dente. In the last minute of cooking, reserve at least 1 ½ cups of the starchy pasta water, then drain the orzo well.
  6. Combine and create creamy sauce: Take the casserole dish out of the oven. Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves out of their peels and mash into a paste with a fork. Add the cooked orzo and chopped spinach directly into the dish. Drizzle half of the reserved pasta water over the mixture and toss gently. Continue adding pasta water incrementally (about 1 ¼ cups total) to achieve a light, creamy sauce that coats everything evenly. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the top. For a melted, slightly browned finish, broil the dish for 2-3 minutes (optional).
  7. Serve and garnish: Serve the bake hot, garnished with fresh thyme or basil if desired. Enjoy your creamy, flavorful meal!

Notes

  • Refer to the full blog post for step-by-step photos and detailed tips to perfect this recipe.
  • Keeps well refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheats nicely.
  • Use starchy pasta water to create a naturally creamy sauce without needing extra cream.
  • Broiling at the end is optional but adds a nice golden color and melts the Parmesan cheese.

Keywords: Boursin, Orzo, Chicken Bake, Roasted Vegetables, Comfort Food, One Dish Meal, Creamy Pasta Bake

Find it online: https://busyrecipe.com/boursin-orzo-bake-with-chicken-and-veggies-recipe-2/