Cajun Chicken Orzo
Perfect for weeknight dinners, Cajun Chicken Orzo pairs Cajun-seasoned chicken thighs with creamy orzo pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, Parmesan, and fresh lemon juice in 45 minutes.
Prep Time15 minutes mins
Cook Time30 minutes mins
Total Time45 minutes mins
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 servings
- 2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 3 tablespoons Cajun seasoning 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 freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- fresh thyme
Pat the chicken thighs dry with a kitchen towel. Season them with Cajun seasoning and salt, then massage the seasonings evenly into the chicken.
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a grill pan over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken thighs and grill for 4-5 minutes on each side until cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside. If using chicken breasts, cook for 6-7 minutes on each side until cooked through.
Heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic and sauté for 1 minute. Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes.
Add the orzo pasta to the skillet and stir for about 1 minute. Pour in the chicken broth and cook for 5-7 minutes until most of the liquid is absorbed.
Stir the fresh baby spinach into the orzo and cook until wilted. Add the heavy cream and continue cooking until the pasta reaches your desired consistency.
Add the fresh lemon juice and grated Parmesan cheese to the creamy orzo and stir to combine. Top with the grilled chicken thighs, garnish with fresh thyme, and serve.
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Keep an eye on the orzo as it cooks to prevent it from becoming mushy.
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For a milder dish, use less Cajun seasoning. For extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
Calories: 1127kcal | Carbohydrates: 73g | Protein: 58g | Fat: 68g | Saturated Fat: 23g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 11g | Monounsaturated Fat: 28g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 272mg | Sodium: 745mg | Potassium: 1490mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 4913IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 256mg | Iron: 6mg