Cajun Chicken Orzo

A platter or cajun chicken with creamy orzo pasta.

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This rich and creamy Cajun Chicken Orzo blends bold flavors with tender chicken and savory spices, served over a creamy and cheesy spinach orzo. It’s easy enough for a weeknight family meal and impressive enough to serve to company.

Prep Time15

Cook Time30

Total Time45

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: American

Servings: Servings

Author: Mariam Ezzeddine

Ingredients

2 lb chicken thighs skinless and boneless
3 tablespoons cajun seasonings divided
½ teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons olive oil divided
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
½ cup yellow onion finely diced
½ tablespoon minced garlic
½ cup sun dried tomatoes chopped
2 cups orzo pasta
2 cups chicken broth
2 cups fresh baby spinach
½ cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
½ cup fresh grated parmesan cheese
Fresh thyme

Instructions

Pat dry the chicken thighs with a kitchen towel and season them with Cajun seasoning and salt. Massage the seasonings into the chicken thighs.
Heat a grill pan with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and add the seasoned chicken thighs. Grill them for 4-5 minutes on each side until the chicken is cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set it aside.
In a large skillet over medium heat, add the remaining tablespoon of oil and butter. Add the chopped onion and garlic, and sauté for a minute. Then, add the sun-dried tomatoes.
Stir in the orzo pasta and cook for about a minute. Add the chicken broth and cook for 5-7 minutes until the liquid is almost absorbed.
Add the spinach and cook until wilted. Then, add the heavy cream and continue cooking until the pasta is cooked to your desired consistency.
Stir in fresh lemon juice and grated Parmesan cheese. Give it a quick mix and top it with the grilled chicken thighs. Garnish with fresh thyme and serve.

Notes

Don’t overcook the orzo: Orzo cooks quickly, so keep an eye on it to prevent it from becoming mushy.

Toast the orzo: Lightly toasting the orzo before adding the broth gives the dish a richer, nuttier flavor.

Adjust the spice level: If you prefer less heat, reduce the amount of Cajun seasoning or omit the smoked paprika. For more spice, add a pinch of cayenne pepper.

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