Creamy Cajun Chicken and Orzo

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When you're in the mood for something hearty and filling, this Cajun chicken and orzo dish is the perfect meal. It is a comforting and satisfying meal that's packed with flavor. Plus, it's easy to make and can be on the table in less than an hour. So, when you're craving something comforting and delicious, give this recipe a try.

cajun chicken over bed of orzo on teal plate

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Creamy Cajun Chicken and Orz
Ingredients
Handy Kitchen Tools
How to Make Cajun Chicken with Orzo
Frequently Asked Questions
More Easy Chicken Recipes
📖 Recipe

Creamy Cajun Chicken and Orz

This Cajun chicken and orzo recipe is perfect for you when you are looking for a delicious and easy weeknight meal. It’s simple to make, full of flavor, and sure to please even the pickiest of eaters. Plus, it is chock full of rich spices and that classic Cajun seasoning you love.

Serve this dish with a side of steamed or roasted broccoli or green beans for a complete and satisfying meal. You won’t regret giving this recipe a try – your taste buds will thank you!

If you like this recipe, make sure you also check out our Cajun chicken alfredo recipe too! It's another delicious recipe with the Creole flavors of Louisiana at the center.

black plate with bowl of orzo on one side and chicken slices beside it

Ingredients

This recipe has two parts. First, you will prepare the chicken, and while it cooks, you will prepare the orzo on the stovetop. The ingredients needed are separated below for your convenience.

For Cajun Chicken

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 tablespoon olive oil (15ml)
2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (18g)

For the Orzo

1 tablespoon olive oil (15ml)
1 white onion
1 red bell pepper
3 cloves garlic
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (9g)
1 teaspoon smoked paprika (3g)
1 ¾ cup orzo (350g)
4 ¼ cup milk (1 liter)
1 ⅔ cup chicken stock (400ml)
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (25h)
⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes (1g)
1 bunch of fresh basil
½ lemon

Cajun chicken and orzo on teal plate on top of light yellow table

Handy Kitchen Tools

Cajun chicken slices on black plate net to small red bowl of orzo

How to Make Cajun Chicken with Orzo

Preheat the oven to 400°F/200°C. Then season the chicken breasts and place into the baking dish. I used a 10" oval dish, but any baking dish works for this. There is no need to grease or spray it, as the chicken will be coated in olive oil. Once you rub the oil over the chicken, then spread the Cajun seasoning over it on all sides so it is nicely coated.

hands seasoning chicken breasts in white plate

Bake the chicken for 30 minutes, or until they are browned and the chicken has reached 165°F internally at the thickest point. If using smaller chicken breasts or chicken thighs, reduce the cooking time to 15 minutes, check, and continue baking in 5-minute increments until cooked through.

Remove from the oven and cover the chicken. Let it stand for at least 5 minutes before slicing.

hand cutting chicken with knife on white cutting board

While this cooks, add olive oil to a deep skillet or stockpot over medium heat.

Add in the onion and bell pepper and cook the vegetables for 3 to 4 minutes, until they are beginning to soften and brown a bit.

blue spoon stirring red bell peppers in pan on hot plate

Then, add in the garlic, Cajun seasoning, and paprika. Stir this with the vegetables and cook for 1 minute.

Now, stir in the dry orzo and cook for 1 minute, stirring regularly.

Then, stir in the milk and chicken broth and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and cover.

cream being poured into orzo in saucepan

Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. The orzo should be softened and most of the liquid absorbed.

peppers and orzo being stirred with sauce in skillet

When the orzo is done cooking, stir in the grated parmesan, chopped fresh basil (and parsley if desired) as well as a squeeze of lemon. I used ½ lemon, but you can start with less and add to taste.

butter being added to orzo in stockpot on black hot plate

Serve the orzo with a sliced chicken breast and a side of vegetables of your choice.

hand holding fork of orzo above white plate

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Make Cajun Chicken with Chicken Thighs?

Yes, you can use chicken thighs. I am using chicken breast, however, using chicken thighs can lead to a very flavorful and tender chicken dinner.

I would suggest using boneless and skinless chicken thighs for this recipe as they are easier to work with. However, you can use bone-in chicken thighs if that’s what you have on hand. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly. Make sure that the chicken has reached 165°F internally at the thickest point before serving.

What Spices are in Cajun Seasoning?

There are many different types of Cajun seasoning, but the most common spices used are paprika, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and dried oregano.

I like to make my own Cajun seasoning because I can control the amount of each spice that goes into it. That means I can make it just the way I like it, including making it spicier or less spicy depending on my mood. However, you can definitely use a store-bought seasoning blend if that’s what you have on hand.

Tony Chachere's, Zatarain's, and Louisiana Kitchen are three popular ready-made cajun spice blends to try.

Is Orzo a Pasta or a Rice

While orzo looks like a type of rice, it is actually pasta. It is shaped like rice and slightly larger but it is made using wheat like other pasta. It’s a versatile ingredient that can be used in both sweet and savory dishes. Orzo is perfect for this recipe because it soaks up all the delicious flavors of the sauce.

If you can’t find orzo, you can use another type of small pasta such as ditalini or elbow macaroni. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.

If you prefer, you can use rice or risotto in place of orzo, just follow typical cooking directions for the individual grain.

How Do You Reheat Chicken Orzo?

If you have leftovers, simply store them in an airtight container in the fridge. When you’re ready to eat, reheat the dish on the stove over low heat until warmed through. You can also reheat it in the microwave. Just be sure to reheat it slowly so that the orzo doesn’t become mushy and overcooked. You can also reheat this recipe in the oven. Just place the dish in a preheated 350°F oven and heat until warmed through.

More Easy Chicken Recipes

Chicken is the most popular protein in our house. Below are a few more of my personal favorite chicken recipes. Add these to your menu to give more flavor to the meal plan. Make sure that you bookmark the recipes, print them out, or just pin them to Pinterest, so they are handy when you are ready to cook!

📖 Recipe

Yield: 2

Creamy Cajun Chicken and Orzo

A delicious spice blend creates this creamy Cajun chicken and orzo! The perfect all-in-one meal packed with flavor!

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

For the Chicken

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 tablespoon olive oil (15ml)
2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (18g)

For the Orzo

1 tablespoon olive oil (15ml)
1 white onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, sliced or chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (9g)
1 teaspoon smoked paprika (3g)
1 ¾ cup orzo (350g)
4 ¼ cup milk (1 liter)
1 ⅔ cup chicken stock (400ml)
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (25h)
⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes (1g)
1 bunch of fresh basil, chopped
½ lemon

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400°F/200°C. Then, in a baking dish, you will place the chicken breasts. Coat them first in olive oil, and then in the Cajun seasoning.
Bake for 30 minutes, or until they are browned and the chicken has reached 165°F internally. Remove from the oven, cover, and let stand for 5 minutes before slicing.
While the chicken bakes, you will begin the orzo. Start with olive oil in a large deep skillet or stockpot over medium heat.
Then, add in the onion and bell pepper. Cook this for 3 to 4 minutes, until it is turning tender.
Then, add the garlic, cajun seasoning, and paprika. Stir together and cook for 1 minute.
Add the orzo and stir, cooking for 1 minute.
Then add the milk and chicken broth, stirring to combine. Bring this to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cook for 10 minutes, stirring regularly. The orzo should soften and most of the liquid absorbed.
Once the orzo has cooked, stir in the grated parmesan, chopped fresh basil, and the juice of ½ a lemon.
Serve with sliced chicken breast.