Description
This Creamy Cajun Chicken Orzo recipe combines tender, seasoned chicken breasts with a rich and flavorful orzo pasta cooked in a creamy Parmesan sauce. The dish is infused with bold Cajun spices and garnished with fresh thyme and lemon wedges for a perfect balance of zest and creaminess, making it an ideal weeknight dinner that’s quick, comforting, and delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 thinly sliced chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Orzo and Sauce
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1/4 cup diced onion
- 1 tbsp minced shallot
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning (additional)
- Juice of 1 lemon
Garnish
- Fresh thyme sprigs
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Generously season both sides of the thinly sliced chicken breasts with Cajun seasoning, ensuring an even coating for maximum flavor.
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken breasts for 2-3 minutes on each side until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F and are fully cooked. Remove the chicken from the skillet and keep warm.
- Sauté orzo and aromatics: In the same skillet, add butter, the orzo pasta, diced onion, minced shallot, and an additional teaspoon of Cajun seasoning. Sauté everything together for about 3 minutes to toast the orzo and soften the aromatics.
- Cook orzo in broth: Pour the chicken broth into the skillet and increase the heat to medium. Let the orzo cook for about 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it becomes tender and most of the liquid evaporates.
- Make the creamy sauce: Stir in the heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, and freshly squeezed lemon juice until the sauce is smooth and creamy, coating the orzo evenly.
- 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 allow flavors to meld.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle fresh thyme over the dish and serve with lemon wedges on the side for an added burst of fresh citrus flavor.
Notes
- Use thinly sliced chicken breasts to ensure quick and even cooking.
- Adjust Cajun seasoning amount to your preferred spice level.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or coconut milk.
- Freshly grated Parmesan yields the best creamy texture and flavor.
- Save leftover lemon juice to drizzle over the dish just before serving to enhance brightness.
