Chicken and Goat Cheese Skillet

This creamy, tangy chicken and goat cheese skillet is a surprisingly healthy supper. We all need a repertoire of quick dinner recipes, which receive bonus points if they can come together in one pot like this chicken and goat cheese skillet. Saute chicken with sliced asparagus in a pan, then stir in tomatoes, goat cheese and a bit of milk. Cover the pot, and let the juicy tomatoes meld with the cheese into an effortless and light creamy sauce. Chicken with goat cheese is simply seasoned, but you can improvise with herbs, spices and citrus to create a fresh new dish each time.

Ingredients for Chicken and Goat Cheese Skillet

• Chicken breasts: Boneless skinless chicken breasts are a versatile, easy protein. Cut the meat into cubes, and they’ll cook evenly and fast.
• Seasonings: The base recipe keeps it simple with salt and pepper.
• Garlic: Fresh minced garlic adds some punch to the dish.
• Olive oil: Cooking food in olive oil is both healthy and flavorful.
• Asparagus: Slice fresh asparagus into bite-sized pieces for veggies and chicken in every forkful.
• Plum tomatoes: Chopped fresh tomatoes lend taste, color and juice to the chicken and veggies.
• Milk: To make a rich white sauce that’s not at all heavy, use 2% milk. Go ahead and use whole or skim milk if you prefer.
• Herbed fresh goat cheese: Goat cheese is a perfect blend of tangy and creamy, so it tends to pair well with almost everything. Stir herbed fresh goat cheese into the sauce to thicken it and add flavor. If you like, crumble extra goat cheese on top before serving.
• Hot cooked rice or pasta: Round out the dish with cooked white or brown rice or pasta. Short pasta shapes are ideal, since they’re about the same size as the chicken and vegetables.

Directions

Step 1: Cook the chicken

Toss the chicken with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Saute the chicken until it’s no longer pink, four to six minutes. Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside, covering it to keep it warm.

Step 2: Cook the vegetables

Add the asparagus to the skillet. Cook it, stirring, over medium-high heat for one minute. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring often so it doesn’t burn.

Step 3: Make the sauce

Stir in the tomatoes, milk and 2 tablespoons of the cheese. Cook, covered, over medium heat until the cheese begins to melt, two to three minutes.

Step 4: Add the chicken

Stir in the chicken. Serve it with rice or pasta. If desired, top it with additional cheese.

Chicken and Goat Cheese Skillet Variations

• Jazz up the seasonings: Add spices or herbs to take this dish in almost any direction. Stir in minced rosemary and a squeeze of lemon for a cozy meal in fall or winter. Spice it up with smoked paprika, thyme and cumin. Dial up the heat with cayenne pepper or a drizzle of hot honey. Or, make it fresh and summery with chopped basil or dill.
• Change the veggies: If asparagus is out of season, try bell peppers, broccoli, spinach or zucchini. You can also use cubes of cooked winter squash, sweet potatoes or carrots.
• Use dark meat: For extra flavor, use boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Saute them for a few extra minutes to ensure they’re cooked through.

How to Store Chicken and Goat Cheese

Leftover chicken and goat cheese should be stored in the refrigerator, tightly covered or sealed in an airtight container. Rice or pasta should be stored separately from the chicken; if stored together, the grains will soak up all the sauce.

How long does chicken and goat cheese last?

Chicken and goat cheese will last up to four days in the fridge.

Can you freeze chicken and goat cheese skillet?

Yes, this chicken and goat cheese skillet recipe freezes well. Let the chicken and goat cheese cool completely, then freeze them in an airtight container. Leftovers will last up to two months. Thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before reheating them on the stovetop.

Chicken and Goat Cheese Skillet Tips

How long does goat cheese last?

An unopened package of goat cheese can last for a couple of months in the refrigerator. Once you’ve opened the package, it will last up to two weeks. To keep the cheese fresh as long as possible, wrap it twice—first in the original packaging, waxed paper or parchment paper, then a second time in heavy-duty foil. As long as it smells fresh and looks white, it’s good to eat. If the cheese gets moldy, discard it.

What can you do with the leftover goat cheese?

Tangy, creamy goat cheese is surprisingly versatile. In earthy recipes like portobello onion tart, it brightens heavier flavors. In pastas like artichoke lemon pasta, it melts into a creamy sauce. Goat cheese is delicious with eggs and omelets and tastes great crumbled over any salad.

What else can you serve with chicken and goat cheese skillet?

This simple, light dinner pairs well with almost any side dish. Pair it with a seasonal vegetable dish, such as tomato salad in the summer or roasted squash in the fall. A fresh green salad would be great, too. You can switch the rice for mashed potatoes or serve the chicken on rolls.