Description
A creamy and cozy one pot Cajun chicken Alfredo orzo that cooks quickly and is perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts (diced)
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning (adjust to taste)
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for sautéing)
- 1 cup diced onions (fresh is best)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 cup bell pepper (diced, optional)
- 1.5 cups orzo pasta
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
- Salt (to taste)
- Pepper (to taste)
- Fresh parsley (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Warm 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat until shimmering, then add the chicken for sautéing.
- Add 1 lb of diced chicken, seasoning it with 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper, and cook until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes.
- Remove the browned chicken and set aside, leaving flavorful bits in the pot.
- Add 1 cup of diced onions and 2 minced garlic cloves in the same pot. Cook until fragrant, about 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in 1 cup of diced bell pepper, if using, and sauté until onions are translucent.
- Mix in 1.5 cups of orzo pasta, 4 cups of chicken broth, and 1 cup of heavy cream, and bring to a gentle boil.
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally until orzo is tender.
- Stir in the cooked chicken and 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese until creamy and well combined.
- Ladle the warm orzo mixture into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley. Serve hot.
Notes
For a lighter finish, swap heavy cream for half and half but expect less richness. Add a splash more broth or cream if the sauce gets too thick when reheating.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
Keywords: Cajun chicken, creamy pasta, one pot meal, quick dinner, weeknight recipes