Description
A creamy, spicy, and comforting one-pot dish featuring Cajun chicken and orzo pasta, perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts (diced)
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning (adjust to taste)
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for sautéing)
- 1 cup diced onions (fresh is best)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 cup bell pepper (diced, optional)
- 1.5 cups orzo pasta
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
- Salt (to taste)
- Pepper (to taste)
- Fresh parsley (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Warm 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat until shimmering, then add the chicken for sautéing.
- Add the diced chicken, seasoning it with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook until golden brown and cooked through, approximately 5–7 minutes. Once done, remove the chicken and set aside.
- In the same pot, add 1 cup of diced onions and 2 minced garlic cloves. Sauté until fragrant, about 2–3 minutes, then stir in 1 cup of diced bell pepper if using.
- Mix in the orzo pasta, chicken broth, and heavy cream. Bring this mixture to a gentle boil.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender.
- Stir in the cooked chicken and grated Parmesan cheese until everything is creamy and well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary.
- Serve warm, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
Adjust Cajun seasoning for spice preference. Leftovers can be thinned with broth when reheating.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 70g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg