Description
Delicious One Pot Cajun Chicken Alfredo Orzo recipe! Discover a quick and easy weeknight dinner solution now.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1½ pounds (680g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
- 1 red bell pepper, diced (about 1 cup)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups (400g) uncooked orzo pasta
- 3½ cups (830ml) low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
- 1 cup (100g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon salt (adjust based on your Cajun seasoning’s saltiness)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (plus more for garnish)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Optional: ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes for extra heat
Instructions
- Step 1: Season and Cook the Chicken In a large bowl, toss your chicken pieces with 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning until evenly coated. Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the seasoned chicken pieces in a single layer, being careful not to crowd the pan (work in batches if needed). Cook for 3-4 minutes until golden brown on one side, then flip and cook for another 2-3 minutes. The chicken should be nearly but not completely cooked through. Transfer to a clean plate and set aside.
- Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics In the same pot, reduce heat to medium and add onion and bell pepper. Cook for 4-5 minutes until vegetables begin to soften, scraping up any flavorful brown bits from the chicken. Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic. Stir in the remaining tablespoon of Cajun seasoning to toast the spices slightly and coat the vegetables.
- Step 3: Cook the Orzo Add uncooked orzo to the pot and stir for 1-2 minutes until lightly toasted, which enhances its nutty flavor. Pour in the chicken broth, using a wooden spoon to scrape up any remaining browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to maintain a simmer. Cook uncovered for about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the orzo is al dente and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Step 4: Create the Creamy Sauce Reduce heat to low and stir in the heavy cream. Return the chicken and any accumulated juices to the pot. Simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until the sauce begins to thicken slightly and the chicken is completely cooked through. Remove the pot from heat before proceeding to the next step to prevent the cheese from becoming stringy.
- Step 5: Finish and Serve Your One Pot Cajun Chicken Alfredo Orzo With the pot off the heat, gradually stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until completely melted and incorporated. Add salt and pepper to taste, keeping in mind the Cajun seasoning already provides significant flavor. Stir in fresh parsley and lemon juice to brighten the dish. Let stand for 3-5 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken further and flavors to meld. Serve your One Pot Cajun Chicken Alfredo Orzo garnished with additional parsley and Parmesan if desired.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 50mg