• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Cookhouse Diary
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Newsletter
  • Contact
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipe Index
    • About
    • Newsletter
    • Contact
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Main Course

    Cajun Chicken Orzo

    Published: May 14, 2023 · Modified: Jul 7, 2023 by Natasa · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    This Cajun Chicken Orzo is bursting with flavor and is so easy to prepare! Loaded with juicy chicken, veggies, and spicy, creamy orzo, it’s perfect for busy weeknights.

    Creamy cajun chicken orzo in bowl.

    This creamy cajun chicken orzo is such a versatile dish. You can adjust it based on your preferences, and it’s done in 45 minutes, with the prep time.

    Looking for some delicious yet easy-to-make meals? Consider trying out these options: cajun salmon pasta, chicken orzo soup, or cajun shrimp and rice pilaf.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Why You’ll Love this Recipe
    • Equipment and Tools Needed
    • Is Orzo a Pasta or Rice
    • Instructions
    • Expert Tips and Tricks
    • Substitutions and Variations
    • How to Serve
    • Storage
    • FAQ
    • More Recipes that You’ll Love
    • Related
    • Pairing
    • Recipe

    Ingredients

    Cajun chicken orzo ingredients.
    • Chicken breast: We need three medium size boneless and skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-size pieces.
    • Salt: Just a little bit of salt to add flavor. Feel free to adjust based on your taste preferences.
    • Cajun seasoning: Cajun seasoning will add spiciness to this recipe. The amount of seasoning I added to the recipe will give mild spiciness. Please refer to the Substitutions and Variations section for other alternatives.
    • Butter: We need a couple of tablespoons of unsalted butter to sauté the chicken.
    • Oil: I added just a drizzle of olive oil. I like using a combination of butter and oil since the butter will aid in browning the chicken, and the oil will help keep the butter and meat from burning.
    • Onion: I used half a medium-sized onion diced into small pieces.
    • Garlic: Fresh garlic will give a fantastic taste to the dish.
    • Sun-dried tomatoes: I used sun-dried tomatoes in extra virgin olive oil. If the olive oil becomes solid, if you keep it in the fridge, leave it on the counter until it reaches room temperature. It will be much easier to take out sun-dried tomato pieces.
    • Tomato paste: Tomato paste will thicken the sauce and blend the ingredients. It will enhance other flavors of the dish.
    • Smoked paprika: A little bit of smoked paprika adds depth and flavor to the recipe.
    • Mini-pointed peppers: I wanted to add fresh veggies to this recipe, and these mini-pointed peppers were perfect. They are so colorful and full of flavor.
    • Orzo: I used one cup of orzo for this recipe. I use two to two and a half cups of liquid for every cup of orzo.
    • Chicken broth: As the orzo soaks up a lot of liquid, we need chicken broth to help cook the orzo and other ingredients. You can use chicken stock as well.
    • Sweet peas: I used frozen sweet peas for this recipe. It does not need long to cook, and it will add some nutrients to this meal.
    • Parsley: I used both dry and fresh parsley leaves.
    • Heavy whipping cream: I added a bit of heavy whipping cream to add creaminess to this meal.
    • Parmesan cheese: Parmesan cheese will add lots of flavor and texture. Feel free to add more based on your preferences.

    See recipe card for quantities.

    Why You’ll Love this Recipe

    • Quick and easy: With a bit of preparation and easy instructions, this one-pot creamy cajun chicken and orzo is perfect for busy weeknights.
    • Flavor: This recipe bursts with flavor. From juicy and spicy chicken to creamy and cheesy orzo, this recipe is so comforting.
    • Texture: This dish has many different textures, from tender chicken pieces, orzo, crunchy peppers, and creamy and cheesy sauce.
    • Versatile: You can adjust the spices and other ingredients, like different types of meat or veggies.

    Equipment and Tools Needed

    • Non-stick sauté pan with lid
    • Silicone spatula
    • Measuring cups and spoons

    Is Orzo a Pasta or Rice

    Orzo is a type of pasta that looks similar to rice. It’s made from durum wheat. I like orzo because it’s small and you can use it in soups, stews, and many other dishes.

    Instructions

    To ensure you can easily follow all the steps, I recommend washing, cutting, and measuring all ingredients before you start cooking.

    1. Add chicken, salt, and Cajun seasoning to a medium-sized bowl. Toss until combined.
    2. Add butter and oil to the skillet and heat until melted. Add chicken and sauté the chicken for 5 minutes on medium-high heat, occasionally mixing.
    3. Add onion, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, smoked paprika, tomato paste, and mini-pointed peppers. Stir to combine. Cook for 3-5 minutes, mixing frequently.
    4. Add orzo and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer and cook on medium-low, with a lid slightly ajar, for 20 minutes. Mix frequently, as the orzo will get stuck to the bottom of the skillet.
    5. Add frozen sweet peas, and dry parsley leaves, and cook for 3-5 minutes.
    6. Add grated parmesan and heavy whipping cream. Stir to combine.
    7. Serve in a bowl, and add more grated parmesan and fresh parsley leaves. Enjoy!
    Creamy cajun chicken orzo in skillet overhead shot.
    Cajun chicken orzo in wooden spatula.

    Expert Tips and Tricks

    • Prepare and measure all ingredients before you start cooking: This recipe requires some mixing, so to ensure you don’t have to measure ingredients while cooking, prepare all ingredients in advance.
    • Don’t walk away: Orzo can stick to the pan relatively quickly, so don’t walk away from the pan.
    • Mix often: To ensure that the orzo doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan, you will need to mix frequently.
    • Adjust the liquid if needed: If the orzo soaks up the liquid quickly, add more. Add it gradually so you don’t end up with too much liquid.

    Substitutions and Variations

    • Adjust spices: The amount of cajun seasoning I added will give mild to medium spiciness. If you prefer more spiciness, add more cajun seasoning or cayenne pepper.
    • Add greens: Add some chopped spinach or kale to add more nutrients and vitamins.
    • Use different meat: Shrimp or sausage are great options if you don’t want to use chicken. Shrimp requires short cooking time, so add it towards the end.
    • Use rice instead: If you don’t have orzo, you can substitute it for short-grain Arborio rice. You may need to adjust the liquid accordingly.
    • Optional toppings: I like to add parmesan flakes and freshly chopped parsley leaves. If you want to add more heat, another option would be to add red pepper chili flakes.
    Creamy cajun chicken orzo in bowl closeup.

    How to Serve

    Serve with a fresh salad, roasted vegetables, or burrata salad with balsamic glaze.

    Storage

    Store in an air-tight container for up to two days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove when ready to serve.

    FAQ

    What is orzo?

    Orzo is a type of pasta that looks like rice.

    What does orzo taste like?

    Like any other pasta, orzo does not have any specific flavor. It has a mild pasta-like flavor when there is no other seasoning added.

    Can I use different pasta?

    Yes, feel free to use other small-shaped pasta.

    What is the best substitute for orzo?

    The best substitute for orzo is some other small-shaped pasta or short-grain Arborio rice.

    More Recipes that You’ll Love

    • Cajun Salmon Pasta
    • Baked Salmon in Foil
    • Baked Cod with Panko and Parmesan
    • Easy Baked Shrimp Recipe
    • Sheet Pan Sausage and Veggies
    • Cajun Shrimp and Rice Pilaf
    • Djuvec Rice Recipe
    • Chicken Orzo Soup

    Related

    Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

    • Cajun salmon pasta in a bowl overhead shot.
      Cajun Salmon Pasta
    • Cajun shrimp and rice pilaf in a bowl overhead.
      Cajun Shrimp and Rice Pilaf
    • Chicken orzo soup in a bowl overhead shot.
      Chicken Orzo Soup
    • Djuvec rice in a bowl close up.
      Djuvec Rice Recipe

    Pairing

    These are my favorite dishes to serve with cajun chicken orzo:

    • Air fryer fingerling potatoes in metal tray close up.
      Air Fryer Fingerling Potatoes
    • Cottage cheese mashed potatoes in iron cast.
      Cottage Cheese Mashed Potatoes
    • Burrata salad with balsamic glaze on a plate.
      Burrata Salad with Balsamic Glaze
    • Ricotta honey toast on wooden board.
      Ricotta Honey Toast

    Recipe

    Creamy cajun chicken orzo bowl.

    Cajun Chicken Orzo

    Natasa
    This Cajun Chicken Orzo is bursting with flavor and is so easy to prepare! Loaded with juicy chicken, veggies, and spicy, creamy orzo, it's perfect for busy weeknights.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 35 minutes mins
    Total Time 45 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4

    Equipment

    • Large non-stick skillet
    • measuring cups and spoons

    Ingredients
      

    For the cajun chicken orzo

    • 3 boneless chicken breast (cut into bite-size pieces)
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 ½ teaspoon Cajun seasoning
    • 2 tablespoon unsalted butter
    • Drizzle of olive oil
    • ½ medium onion (diced)
    • 4 garlic cloves (minced)
    • 3 tablespoon sun-dried tomatoes (cut into smaller pieces)
    • 2 tablespoon tomato paste
    • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
    • 3 mini pointed peppers (diced)
    • 1 cup orzo
    • 2 cup chicken broth
    • 1 cup frozen sweet peas
    • 1 teaspoon dry parsley leaves
    • ½ cup heavy whipping cream
    • ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese

    For garnish

    • Fresh parsley leaves
    • Parmesan cheese
    • Red chili pepper flakes (optional)
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Add chicken, salt, and Cajun seasoning to a medium-sized bowl. Toss until combined.
    • Add butter and oil to the skillet and heat until melted. Add chicken and sauté the chicken for 5 minutes on medium-high heat, occasionally mixing.
    • Add onion, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, smoked paprika, tomato paste, and mini-pointed peppers. Stir to combine. Cook for 3-5 minutes, mixing frequently.
    • Add orzo and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer and cook on medium-low, with a lid slightly ajar, for 20 minutes. Mix frequently, as the orzo will get stuck to the bottom of the skillet.
    • Add frozen sweet peas, and dry parsley leaves, and cook for 3-5 minutes.
    • Add grated parmesan and heavy whipping cream. Stir to combine.
    • Serve in a bowl, and add more grated parmesan and fresh parsley leaves. Enjoy!

    Notes

    • When substituting dry ingredients for fresh, use a ratio of 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon. For example, when using 1 teaspoon dry vs. 1 tablespoon fresh parsley leaves.
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More Main Course

    • Panko crusted cod with herbs.
      Baked Cod with Panko and Parmesan
    • Baked shrimp on a plate close-up shot.
      Easy Baked Shrimp Recipe
    • Sheet pan sausage and veggies on a plate.
      Sheet Pan Sausage and Veggies
    • Green peas soup in a bowl on a plate.
      Green Peas Soup

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Profile image for the about us page.

    Hi, I’m Natasa – an IT professional by day and a food blogger by night. Spending time with friends and family while sharing delicious meals is my favorite.

    More about me →

    Fall Recipes

    • Matcha turmeric latte in a mug with dry edible flowers.
      Matcha Turmeric Latte
    • S'mores martini in a chilled glass.
      S’mores Martini
    • Phyllo potato pie on a small plate.
      Phyllo Potato Pie
    • Apple turnovers on a wire rack.
      Apple Puff Pastry Turnovers
    • Apple pie slice on a plate.
      The Best Homemade Apple Pie Recipe
    • Roasted butternut squash on a plate.
      Baked Butternut Squash
    • Chicken orzo soup in a bowl overhead shot.
      Chicken Orzo Soup
    • Beef stew in a bowl overhead shot.
      Homemade Beef Stew

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    Copyright © 2023 Cookhouse Diary All Rights Reserved.