Description
A cozy, one-pot meal featuring tender chicken, creamy orzo, and bold Cajun flavors, perfect for weeknights and easy cleanup.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (store-bought or homemade, adjust to taste)
- 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil (for sautéing)
- 1 medium onion, diced (for flavor base)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (for flavor base)
- 4 cups chicken broth (helps cook the orzo)
- 1 cup heavy cream (for a velvety sauce)
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated (optional, for extra richness)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (added before serving)
- to taste salt and pepper (based on Cajun seasoning)
Instructions
Preparation
- Season and brown the chicken with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Heat butter or oil in a large deep skillet or pot. Add chicken and cook until golden on the outside; it does not need to be fully cooked through.
- Remove chicken and set aside on a plate.
Cooking
- In the same pot, add onion and cook until soft, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add garlic and stir for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in the dry orzo and cook for about 1 minute to toast it.
- Pour in chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Once the orzo is about halfway cooked, stir the chicken back into the pot.
- Cook until the orzo is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
- Reduce heat to low, stir in heavy cream and Parmesan if using. Adjust consistency with more broth if needed.
- Finish with lemon juice for brightness and adjust seasoning as needed.
Notes
For added veggies, stir in spinach or bell peppers. Can substitute chicken with shrimp, cooking for a shorter time to keep it juicy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Main Course
- Cuisine: American, Cajun