Okay, friends, gather ’round because I have *the* dish for your Christmas table this year: this unbelievably Creamy Boursin Garlic Herb Chicken Skillet for Christmas! Seriously, it’s a showstopper without being fussy. Imagine tender chicken swimming in a sauce that’s just ridiculously rich, packed with that amazing garlic and herb flavor from the Boursin cheese, and just perfectly herby all around. I’ve made this for holiday gatherings a few times now, and it always gets rave reviews. It feels so special and festive, but honestly, it comes together pretty quickly, which is a lifesaver during the busy holiday season. You’re going to love it!
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Boursin Garlic Herb Chicken Skillet for Christmas
This Creamy Boursin Garlic Herb Chicken Skillet for Christmas is a total winner for so many reasons:
- Super Easy to Make: It looks and tastes fancy, but it’s actually a breeze to whip up, even with all the holiday chaos.
- Incredible Flavor: That Boursin cheese makes the sauce unbelievably creamy, garlicky, and herbaceous. It’s just divine!
- Festive & Beautiful: The creamy sauce and fresh parsley make it look so elegant on your holiday table.
- Perfect for Gatherings: It’s a crowd-pleaser that’s hearty enough for a holiday feast but doesn’t take hours to prepare.
Gathering Your Ingredients for Creamy Boursin Garlic Herb Chicken Skillet for Christmas
Alright, let’s get our mise en place ready for this spectacular Creamy Boursin Garlic Herb Chicken Skillet for Christmas! You’ll need:
- About 1.5 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into nice, bite-sized 1-inch pieces.
- 1 tablespoon of good olive oil.
- 1 tablespoon of butter – because butter makes everything better, right?
- One medium onion, all chopped up.
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced super fine.
- 1 cup of chicken broth.
- The star of the show: 8 ounces of Boursin Garlic & Fine Herbs cheese. Trust me on this one!
- 1/2 cup of heavy cream for that luxurious creaminess.
- 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
- 2 tablespoons of fresh parsley, chopped nice and fine for a pop of green.
- And of course, salt and black pepper, just to taste.
- If you want to serve it over something, have some cooked pasta or rice ready!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Your Creamy Boursin Garlic Herb Chicken Skillet
The Boursin Garlic & Fine Herbs cheese is really what makes this dish sing, it’s got so much flavor built right in! If you can’t find that exact one, the Boursin shallot & chive would also be delicious, or even their plain garlic one if that’s all you have. Just know you might want to add a pinch more herbs yourself if you go that route. For the heavy cream, if you’re in a pinch or want something a *little* lighter, you could try half-and-half, but it won’t be quite as rich and creamy, so just be aware. Always make sure your Boursin is softened a bit before you start cooking; it melts so much easier that way and you won’t have to fuss with it too much!
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Your Creamy Boursin Garlic Herb Chicken Skillet for Christmas
Okay, let’s get cooking! This Creamy Boursin Garlic Herb Chicken Skillet for Christmas is surprisingly straightforward. First things first, grab those chicken pieces and give them a good sprinkle of salt and pepper. Don’t be shy! Then, in a nice big skillet, heat up that olive oil and butter over medium-high heat. You want it nice and hot, but not smoking like crazy. Pop in your chicken pieces – try not to crowd the pan too much, or they’ll steam instead of browning. Cook them until they’re beautifully browned on all sides and cooked through. Once they’re done, scoop them out and set them aside on a plate. Now, toss your chopped onion into the same skillet. Cook those down until they’re nice and soft, usually about 5 minutes. Add your minced garlic and let it cook for just another minute until it smells amazing – watch it closely so it doesn’t burn! Pour in your chicken broth and use your spoon to scrape up all those yummy brown bits stuck to the bottom of the pan; that’s where all the flavor is! Lower the heat to medium-low. Now for the magic: add that Boursin cheese and stir, stir, stir until it’s all melted and gooey. Then, whisk in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Let it simmer gently until the sauce thickens up just a bit. Finally, bring your browned chicken back into the skillet and give everything a good stir to coat it in that glorious sauce. Stir in your fresh parsley for a bit of color and freshness. Give it a taste and add more salt and pepper if you think it needs it. Serve this beauty hot, maybe over some fluffy pasta or rice to catch all that incredible sauce!
Achieving the Perfect Creamy Sauce in Your Garlic Herb Chicken Skillet
The secret to that luscious sauce in your Creamy Boursin Garlic Herb Chicken Skillet is all about how the Boursin cheese, chicken broth, and heavy cream come together. Make sure your heat isn’t too high once you add the cheese and cream, or it can get a bit greasy or separate. Gentle simmering is key! Stirring frequently helps the Boursin melt smoothly into the broth, and the heavy cream just makes everything extra rich and velvety. If your sauce seems a little too thin, just let it simmer a little longer, stirring, and it should thicken up beautifully.
Tips for Success with Your Creamy Boursin Garlic Herb Chicken Skillet
Want your Creamy Boursin Garlic Herb Chicken Skillet to be absolutely perfect? Here are a few little tricks I’ve learned! First off, make sure that Boursin cheese is softened before you start. Seriously, just leave it on the counter for about 30 minutes – it melts SO much more easily that way and blends into a super smooth sauce. Also, when you’re browning the chicken, don’t cram too much into the pan at once. Give it some breathing room! If the pan is too crowded, the chicken will steam instead of getting that lovely golden-brown sear. And that scraping of the bottom of the pan? Don’t skip it! Those little browned bits are pure flavor gold that makes your sauce amazing. Lastly, always taste and adjust your salt and pepper at the end. Your taste buds are the best guide!
Serving and Storing Your Holiday Creamy Boursin Garlic Herb Chicken Skillet
This Creamy Boursin Garlic Herb Chicken Skillet for Christmas is so versatile! It’s absolutely divine served over a bed of fluffy cooked pasta, like fettuccine or linguine, to catch every last drop of that incredible sauce. Rice is also a fantastic option, or grab some crusty bread for dipping – you won’t want to waste a single bite! If you happen to have any leftovers (which is rare in my house!), just let the skillet cool completely. Store the chicken and sauce together in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to reheat, gently warm it in a saucepan over low heat, stirring often. You might need to add a tiny splash of milk or chicken broth if the sauce seems a little thick from chilling.
Frequently Asked Questions about Creamy Boursin Garlic Herb Chicken Skillet for Christmas
Q1. Can I make this Creamy Boursin Garlic Herb Chicken Skillet ahead of time?
You can definitely prep some components ahead! Chop your onions and mince your garlic, and even cut up the chicken a day in advance. Store them separately in the fridge. You can also make the sauce base (steps 4-8) a bit ahead, but I’d recommend browning the chicken and finishing the dish right before serving for the best texture and flavor.
Q2. What other vegetables work well in this Garlic Herb Chicken Skillet?
Oh, so many things! Spinach is fantastic – just stir it in at the very end until it wilts. Sliced mushrooms would be lovely sautéed with the onions. Asparagus tips or green beans, blanched or lightly steamed, would also be a great addition. You really can’t go wrong adding some extra veggies!
Q3. Is this recipe suitable for a weeknight meal or just a holiday?
While it’s perfect for a holiday like Christmas, it’s honestly easy enough for a weeknight too! With the prep-ahead tips, you can have dinner on the table in about 40 minutes, which is pretty speedy for such a flavorful and impressive meal. It’s a great way to make a regular Tuesday feel a bit more special!
Q4. My sauce seems a little thin. What can I do?
No worries if your sauce is a bit thin! Just let it simmer gently over low heat for a few extra minutes. Stir it occasionally. The heavy cream and Boursin cheese will continue to reduce and thicken. You can also whisk in another tablespoon or two of Parmesan cheese, which helps thicken things up nicely.
Nutritional Information for Creamy Boursin Garlic Herb Chicken Skillet
Just a heads-up, the nutritional info for this Creamy Boursin Garlic Herb Chicken Skillet is an estimate, okay? It can totally change depending on the brands you use and exactly how much of everything you add. But generally, you’re looking at around 550 calories, a great boost of about 40g protein, roughly 15g carbohydrates, and about 35g of fat per serving.
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Amazing Creamy Boursin Chicken 4 ways
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A rich and flavorful chicken skillet featuring creamy Boursin cheese, garlic, and herbs, perfect for a festive Christmas dinner.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 8 oz Boursin Garlic & Fine Herbs cheese
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional: Cooked pasta or rice for serving
Instructions
- Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add chicken and cook until browned on all sides and cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Add chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
- Reduce heat to medium-low. Add Boursin cheese and stir until melted and smooth.
- Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Cook until sauce is slightly thickened.
- Return chicken to the skillet and stir to coat with the sauce.
- Stir in fresh parsley.
- Season with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve hot, optionally over pasta or rice.
Notes
- For a richer sauce, use more heavy cream.
- Feel free to add other vegetables like spinach or mushrooms.
- Ensure Boursin cheese is softened for easier melting.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 150mg
Keywords: Boursin chicken, garlic herb chicken, creamy chicken skillet, Christmas dinner, holiday recipe, easy chicken dinner