Description
Creamy Cajun Chicken Orzo is a flavorful and comforting one-pan meal featuring tender Cajun-spiced chicken served over a rich and creamy orzo pasta. This easy-to-make dish combines the spicy kick of Cajun seasoning with the smoothness of Parmesan and heavy cream, garnished with fresh thyme and lemon wedges for a bright finishing touch.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 thinly sliced chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- Olive oil, for cooking
Orzo and Sauce
- 1 cup orzo
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Butter (about 1 tbsp)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 shallot, minced
- Additional Cajun seasoning, to taste
- Juice of half a lemon
Garnish and Serving
- Fresh thyme, for garnish
- Lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Thoroughly coat both sides of the thinly sliced chicken breasts with 2 tablespoons of Cajun seasoning to infuse them with bold, spicy flavor.
- Cook the chicken: Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken breasts for 2-3 minutes on each side until fully cooked through and reaching an internal temperature of 165°F. Remove the chicken from the pan and keep it warm.
- Sauté aromatics and orzo: In the same skillet, melt butter and add diced onion, minced shallot, and a pinch of Cajun seasoning. Sauté for about 3 minutes until onions soften. Add the orzo and toast it lightly, stirring to combine the flavors.
- Simmer orzo: Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a medium heat. Cook uncovered for about 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender and most of the broth is absorbed.
- Make it creamy: Stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and lemon juice into the orzo mixture. Mix until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Combine chicken and orzo: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the creamy orzo. Let everything rest together for about 5 minutes to meld the flavors and reheat the chicken gently.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle fresh thyme on top and serve with lemon wedges on the side to add a bright, citrusy accent as desired.
Notes
- Use thinly sliced chicken breasts for quick and even cooking.
- Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning based on your preferred spice level.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a lactose-free alternative.
- If orzo absorbs too much liquid before tender, add a splash of extra chicken broth or water while cooking.
- Stir frequently to prevent the orzo from sticking to the skillet.
- Ensure chicken is fully cooked to 165°F for safety.
- Fresh thyme can be substituted with parsley if preferred.
