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Creamy Cajun Chicken Orzo (One-Pot Dinner)

Creamy Cajun Chicken Orzo (One-Pot Dinner)
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Cajun Chicken Orzo is a quick and comforting one-pot meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Tender strips of chicken are coated in bold Cajun spices, then simmered with orzo pasta in a creamy, cheesy sauce with spinach and sun-dried tomatoes. It’s rich, flavorful, and comes together easily with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale

  • 3 chicken breasts, cut into small strips

  • 1–3 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (adjust for spice level)

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • ½ tablespoon butter

  • 1 large onion, finely diced

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 2 tablespoons chopped sun-dried tomatoes

  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste

  • 1 cup (200 g) orzo pasta

  • 1 cup (240 ml) chicken broth or stock

  • 1 cup shredded spinach

  • ¼ cup (60 ml) heavy cream

  • 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for serving)

Instructions

1. Season the chicken

Mix the chicken strips with Cajun seasoning and salt.

2. Brown the chicken

Heat olive oil and butter in a large deep pan over medium heat.
Add chicken and cook until lightly golden.

3. Add vegetables

Stir in onion, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and tomato paste.
Cook on low heat for about 5 minutes until soft and fragrant.

4. Cook the orzo

Add the orzo and stir for 1 minute.
Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a gentle simmer.
Cover and cook for about 20 minutes, stirring often. Add a splash of water or broth if it looks dry.

5. Add spinach

Remove the lid and check the orzo — it should be tender with a slight bite.
Stir in spinach until wilted.

6. Make it creamy

Stir in the cream and Parmesan cheese. Mix until smooth and creamy.
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

7. Serve

Top with extra Parmesan and serve warm.

Notes

  • Cut chicken into small strips so it cooks faster and stays juicy.

  • Start with less Cajun seasoning if your blend is spicy — you can always add more later.

  • Stir frequently so the orzo doesn’t stick to the pan.

  • If the sauce thickens too much, add a splash of broth or milk.

  • Add extras like bell peppers, mushrooms, or cherry tomatoes for more veggies.

  • Leftovers reheat well with a little water or broth.

Find it online: https://chocotune.com/creamy-cajun-chicken-orzo-one-pot-dinner/