Slow-Cooker Boursin Chicken Pasta

The day I discovered my slow cooker could make pasta was a life-changing moment. I used to think my Crockpot was only good for slow-cooker pulled pork or cozy slow-cooker soup recipes. But then one year I tried making slow-cooker macaroni and cheese for Thanksgiving—and that decision has since spurred my love affair with all sorts of slow-cooker pasta recipes. This slow-cooker Boursin chicken pasta is one of my family’s favorites.

This recipe is similar to the viral baked feta pasta, but instead we nestle two blocks of Boursin cheese into the slow cooker to melt into the pasta as it cooks, creating the creamiest, divinely rich cheese sauce that you’ll ever make at home.

If you’ve never tried or heard of Boursin cheese, let me enlighten you. It’s a soft, spreadable processed cheese commonly known as Gournay cheese that’s derived mainly from cow’s milk and flavored with herbs, spices and other aromatic ingredients such as garlic, onions or shallots. In terms of flavor and consistency, it’s similar to goat cheese, being very creamy and possessing a rich, tangy and savory flavor.

Ingredients for Slow-Cooker Boursin Chicken Pasta

• Chicken breasts: Slow-cooker chicken recipes are always a smash hit. The meat is always tender and juicy, making any slow-cooker dinner rich in healthy, lean protein.
• Chicken broth: Chicken broth functions as a braising liquid for the chicken breasts and doubles as a flavorful way to cook and season the pasta. If you have homemade chicken broth, this is a terrific recipe in which to use it.
• Italian herbs and spices: A blend of Italian herbs, salt and pepper flavors the chicken broth and then gets absorbed into the chicken as it cooks so every bite is jam-packed with flavor.
• Garlic: While there is garlic in the Boursin cheese, also adding a few cloves of garlic to the chicken and broth adds extra depth to the dish.
• Heavy cream: A touch of heavy cream adds richness for a supremely creamy cheese sauce. For a lighter option, you can swap in half-and-half cream, if desired.
• Pasta: Cavatappi is our favorite pasta shape for this slow-cooker Boursin chicken cheese pasta. The tubular corkscrews fill with creamy sauce so every bite is as cheesy as possible.
• Sun-dried tomatoes: To prevent the pasta from becoming greasy, opt for vacuum-packed sun-dried tomatoes rather than those packed in oil.
• Boursin cheese: This versatile soft cheese can be crumbled over salads, stirred into sauces, melted over a juicy burger patty or served on a charcuterie board. If you haven’t hopped on the Boursin bandwagon yet, this recipe ought to do the trick.
• Parmesan: The salty sharpness of Parmesan pairs perfectly with the creamy, pungent flavor of Boursin cheese.

Directions

Step 1: Season and cook the chicken

In a 6-quart slow cooker, add the chicken breasts, Italian seasoning, garlic, salt and pepper. Pour 1 cup chicken broth over the chicken, then cover with a lid. Cook on high for two hours or on low for four hours.

Step 2: Chop into small pieces

Remove the chicken from the slow cooker, leaving the broth in the pot, and cut the meat into bite-sized pieces. Add the chopped chicken back to the slow cooker.

Step 3: Add the remaining ingredients and cook

Add the cavatappi pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, heavy cream and the remaining 1 cup chicken broth. Nestle the blocks of Boursin cheese on top of the ingredients. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Cover and cook on high for 30 to 45 minutes or on low for 45 minutes to one hour, until the pasta is al dente.

Step 4: Stir and serve

Before serving, stir to melt the cheese into the pasta, creating a smooth and creamy sauce. Scoop the pasta onto plates and garnish with additional Parmesan cheese and freshly chopped basil and/or parsley, if desired.

Editor’s Tip: For even cooking, make sure the pasta is completely submerged in the broth and cream. Any pasta not covered with liquid will cook more slowly and be undercooked at the end of the cooking time. For the best results, test the pasta often after the first 25 minutes of cooking on high and after 40 minutes if cooking on low.

Slow-Cooker Boursin Chicken Pasta Variations

• Pack in extra vegetables: For a boost of nutrition, you can add other vegetables to this recipe. Add sliced mushrooms, zucchini, red bell pepper, yellow squash or chopped broccoli to the slow cooker over the uncooked pasta. You can also add tender greens, such as chopped baby kale, for the final 10 minutes of cooking.
• Try other cheese combinations: Try adding other types of melting cheese to this recipe. Brie, Gruyere, Gouda, fontina or white cheddar would add further creaminess, while Romano or Asiago would add wonderful sharpness.
• Use another pasta shape: Other pasta shapes that work well in this recipe include penne, ziti, rigatoni, rotini or medium shells. Keep in mind that the cook time may need to be adjusted depending on the pasta you choose. Larger, thicker pasta may need more time, while smaller shapes will cook more quickly.
• Discover different Boursin flavors: Boursin cheese comes in an array of flavors. You can tweak the flavor profile of this dish by experimenting with their other varieties. The cracked black pepper would give this chicken pasta recipe a cacio e pepe vibe, while the rosemary and black garlic or the caramelized onion and herb flavors would also be divine.

How to Store Slow-Cooker Boursin Chicken Pasta

To store slow-cooker Boursin chicken cheese pasta, cool it completely and then store leftovers in an airtight food storage container. Keep refrigerated.

How long does Boursin chicken pasta last?

You can store slow-cooker Boursin chicken pasta for three to five days in the refrigerator. Due to the high dairy content of this pasta, we don’t recommend freezing this recipe, as the sauce is prone to splitting upon thawing and reheating—which can impact the texture of the dish.

How should you reheat Boursin chicken pasta?

When reheating pastas, particularly those with creamy sauces that contain cheese and dairy, using a low and slow method to reheat is best. Our favorite method is to warm the pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of water, milk or broth. Cover and then, as the pasta warms, stir occasionally until it’s heated through. Add additional liquid as needed until the sauce returns to the desired consistency.

Slow-Cooker Boursin Chicken Pasta Tips

What can you serve with slow-cooker Boursin chicken pasta?

Since this is a hearty and rich pasta, serving it with a light and fresh green salad offers a nice contrast. Then, to help soak up all the delectable Boursin cheese sauce, make a batch of homemade breadsticks or a buttery loaf of garlic bread.

How else can you make Boursin chicken pasta?

The best part about this slow-cooker Boursin chicken pasta is that it is very adaptable to your schedule. For those days when you want a hands-off, one-pot meal with minimal cleanup, stick with the slow cooker method. On days when you want dinner on the table in under 30 minutes, prepare it on the stovetop.

In a skillet or grill pan, cook the chicken breasts, flipping them once, until they’re seared on both sides and fully cooked. Let the chicken cool slightly, then chop it into bite-sized pieces. Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a pot of salted water on the stovetop according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.

In a large skillet, add 1 cup chicken broth and the herbs, spices, garlic and sun-dried tomatoes. Bring it to a simmer, then crumble the Boursin cheese into the broth. Stir until the cheese has melted, then add the cream, Parmesan cheese, chicken and drained pasta. Carefully mix everything together until evenly coated. If the sauce is too thick, you can gradually add additional chicken broth until the desired consistency is reached. Serve warm.