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A close-up, top-down view of the creamy Cajun orzo with perfectly cooked chicken pieces mixed in.

Cajun Chicken Alfredo Orzo: A Creamy, One-Pot Wonder

This Cajun Chicken Alfredo Orzo is the ultimate one-pot weeknight dinner! Tender chicken and orzo pasta are coated in a spicy, creamy Alfredo sauce made from scratch. A guaranteed family favorite that comes together in under 40 minutes.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Cajun
Calories: 750

Ingredients
  

Cajun Chicken
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1.5 tbsp Cajun seasoning use more or less to taste
Alfredo Orzo
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1.5 cups orzo pasta uncooked
  • 4 cups chicken broth low sodium
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped, for garnish

Equipment

  • 1 Large skillet or Dutch oven
  • 1 Cutting Board
  • 1 Knife

Instructions
 

  1. Pat the chicken pieces dry and toss them generously with Cajun seasoning. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
  2. In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.
  3. Add the dry orzo to the skillet and stir constantly for about 1-2 minutes to toast it.
  4. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 10-12 minutes, or until the orzo is al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
  5. Stir in the heavy cream and the freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Continue to stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Return the cooked Cajun chicken to the skillet. Stir everything together until the chicken is heated through and coated in the sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.

Notes

Tip 1: For the creamiest sauce, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Pre-shredded cheese can make the sauce grainy.
Tip 2: Toasting the orzo in the pan before adding liquid enhances its nutty flavor and improves the texture.
Tip 3: Don't be afraid to adjust the Cajun seasoning to your personal preference for heat.
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