Creamy Cajun Chicken Orzo

5 from 9 votes

This Creamy Cajun Chicken Orzo is a cozy, comforting one-pan meal that's perfect for busy weeknights. Packed with spicy, smoky cajun seasoning, this dinner achieves big flavor with minimal effort. It's filled with plenty of protein, carbs and healthy fats for a well-rounded dish that makes for some epic leftovers.

Servings people

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 35

Total Time 45

Equipment

cutting board
knife
large pan
tongs
spatula

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1 tbsp cajun seasoning
salt & pepper to taste
1 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil

For the Orzo:

½ jumbo yellow onion diced (about 1 cup)
1 green bell pepper diced
3 cloves garlic minced
1 tbsp tomato paste (optional)
1 tsp cajun seasoning
salt & pepper to taste
1 cup dry orzo
2 cups chicken broth or chicken bone broth for extra protein
½ cup heavy cream *
2 oz fresh spinach
juice from ½ lemon

Instructions

Pat chicken thighs dry and then season both sides with cajun seasoning, salt & pepper. Bring a large pan to medium high heat. Once hot, add olive oil. Then, add seasoned chicken. Sear for 4-5 minutes on each side. Remove chicken from the pan and set aside.
1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, 1 tbsp cajun seasoning, salt & pepper, 1 tbsp olive oil
Reduce heat to medium. If there is plenty of excess oil remaining in the pan, just use that. If not, add a bit more olive oil. Then, add onion, bell pepper, salt & pepper. Sauté, stirring occasionally, for about 3 minutes.
½ jumbo yellow onion, 1 green bell pepper, salt & pepper
Add tomato paste and garlic, stir, and let cook for 2 more minutes. Then add cajun seasoning and stir to combine.
3 cloves garlic, 1 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tsp cajun seasoning
Next, add orzo. Let it toast, stirring occasionally, for about 3 minutes. Then, deglaze the pan with chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits at the bottom of the pan.
1 cup dry orzo, 2 cups chicken broth
Nestle the chicken in the orzo, making sure it's mostly submerged. If not, add a bit more broth. Then, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the chicken is done through and the orzo is tender. I like to flip my chicken halfway through.
Turn off the heat. Temporarily remove the chicken from the pan. Stir in the heavy cream, spinach and lemon juice. Taste and adjust salt, pepper & cajun seasoning as needed.
½ cup heavy cream, 2 oz fresh spinach, juice from ½ lemon
Once the spinach has wilted slightly, add back in the chicken, top with parsley if desired, and enjoy!

Video

Notes

*NOTE: To make this dairy free, simply swap out the heavy cream for a plant-based alternative such as Country Crock Plant Cream or full-fat canned coconut milk.

Calories: 519kcal

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Cajun, Chicken Thighs, Cream, Easy Dinner, One Pan, Orzo

Nutrition