This easy one pan cajun chicken orzo is packed with flavor and utterly delicious! The fabulous combination of spicy Cajun seasoning, juicy cubed chicken breast, and creamy orzo makes it a family favorite.
Whether you fancy yourself a quick weeknight dinner or you found this dish on Tiktok, this Cajun chicken orzo is a great choice for any table!
It will be worth every minutes spent making it. Let me show you how to make it with my easy step-by-step instructions.
Related recipes: air fryer cajun chicken bites and ground chicken pasta
Is orzo a rice or pasta
This small, rice-shaped pasta is often mistaken for rice due to its appearance. However, orzo is indeed a type of pasta made from wheat flour and semolina flour. I
t's commonly used in Mediterranean cuisine and pairs well with everything from vegetables to meats. Orzo is a versatile ingredient and can be used the same way you would use rice or a pasta dish. It is also great in salads or soups.
Why you will love this recipe
Easy and quick dinner: cajun chicken orzo is a one-pan dish that is ready in 30 minutes or less.
Healthy: This dish is relatively healthy and not calorie-dense. Using chicken breast in the recipe provides lean proteins that will keep you full for longer.
Flavorful and comforting: Nothing beats the flavor of cajun seasoning especially if it is homemade. This recipe uses Cajun spice as the base flavor but the overall dish taste like a dish you spent quite a time making. The beauty of using a homemade cajun seasoning here is that you can adjust the seasoning to suit your need. You can adjust the heat level to your liking as well.
Easily customizable: you can tailor this recipe to suit your palette and use more or less cajun seasoning. You can also, add vegetables to this recipe while it cooks for a healthier complete dish or makes it on the side as it cooks.
Reasturant worthy: this dish is so good and can easily pass for what you will get from your favorite reastuant. The best part is that you will be making this yourself in 30 minutes and saving yourself a lot of coins.
What you will need
You will need the following handful of ingredients to make your one pan orzo dinner.
- Boneless chicken breast: substitute with boneless chicken thighs
- Cajun seasoning: I used homemade but you can use storebought. Make sure to check the label and avoid ones with too much salt.
- Tomato paste
- Low sodium chicken stock
- Butter: I used unsalted butter, if you will be salted butter make sure to adjust the overall salt in your dish accordingly.
- Olive oil: substitute with any flavorless cooking oil of choice.
- Onion
- Garlic
- Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper
- Fresh parsley to serve.
How to make Cajun chicken orzo
Cut the chicken breast into cubes bite sizes.
Place a skillet on medium-high heat, add butter and olive oil.
Once the butter is melted and the oil is hot, add the chicken cubes, and season with salt, pepper, and half of the Cajun seasoning.
Stir to combine and cook for about 5 minutes until chicken is white
In the same skillet, add chopped onion and garlic. Cook stirring often for 3-4 minutes until the aromatic are soft and fragrant.
Add tomato paste, stir to combine, and cook for 2-3 minutes stirring often so it doesn't burn.
Add orzo, and remaining cajun seasoning, stir to combine, pour the chicken stock, and stir to combine.
Reduce the heat and simmer for 8-10 minutes until the orzo is cooked and most liquid evaporates. Stir occasionally so it doesn't stick to the bottom of the skillet.
Add grated parmesan cheese, stir to combine until the cheese is melted, taste fpr salt and pepper and adjust accordingly.
Remove the pan from heat, garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately. Enjoy!
Tips
- For a creamier dish, add milk or half and half
- Not a fan of cubed chicken, no problem. Cut the chicken breast into cutlets, season it both sides and pan fry it in the oil and butter until fully cooked. Set it aside on a plate and continue with the instructions. Slice up the chicken breast and serve with the orzo.
- If you want a cheesy orzo, add more grated parmesan cheese and sharp cheddar cheese to your heart contempt.
- Use freshly grated parmesan cheese if you can for maximum flavor.
How to store
Storage: Allow the chicken orzo to come to room temperature before storing in an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Place in the microwave and heat for a few minutes until warmed the whole way through.
More chicken dinner recipes you will love
Cajun Chicken Orzo Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast
- 2 Tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 ½ cups orzo
- 2 Tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 Pint low sodium chicken stock or as needed
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup onion finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves finely chopped
- ½ cup parmesan cheese grated
- Salt and pepper to taste
- fresh parsley to garnish
Instructions
- Cut the chicken breast into cubes bite sizes.
- Place a skillet on medium-high heat, add butter and olive oil.
- Once the butter is melted and the oil is hot, add the chicken cubes, and season with salt, pepper, and half of the Cajun seasoning.
- Stir to combine and cook for about 5 minutes until chicken is white
- In the same skillet, add chopped onion and garlic. Cook stirring often for 3-4 minutes until the aromatic are soft and fragrant.
- Add tomato paste, stir to combine, and cook for 2-3 minutes stirring often so it doesn't burn.
- Add orzo, and remaining cajun seasoning, stir to combine, pour the chicken stock, and stir to combine.
- Reduce the heat and simmer for 8-10 minutes until the orzo is cooked and most liquid evaporates. Stir occasionally so it doesn't stick to the bottom of the skillet.
- Add grated parmesan cheese, stir to combine until the cheese is melted, taste for salt and pepper and adjust accordingly.
- Remove from heat, garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately. Enjoy!
Nutrition
And there you have it, a simple and delicious one pan dinner recipe you can make at home in 30 minutes. As always, if you made this recipe, I would love to hear from you! Kindly rate the recipe 5 star and leave me feedback in the comment section below. Tag me @cheapchickenrecipes on Instagram and save it away to your Pinterest or make it on Tiktok. Please subscribe to the blog if you haven’t for free new recipes in your inbox every week.
Stewball says
Do you cover the pot while waiting for the orzo to cook?
Ajoke says
Yes, you can cover the pot while cooking the orzo but you do need to keep an eye. Stir it from time to time so it doesnt stick to the bottom of the pan.