Description
Experience the bold flavors of One Pot Cajun Chicken Alfredo Orzo. Discover a delicious and effortless dinner option today!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1½ pounds (680g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning, divided
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups (400g) uncooked orzo pasta
- 3½ cups (830ml) chicken broth
- 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
- 1 cup (100g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- ½ teaspoon salt (adjust according to your Cajun seasoning’s saltiness)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Season the chicken pieces evenly with 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning, making sure each piece gets coated. Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken pieces in a single layer without overcrowding (work in batches if necessary). Cook for 4-5 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown on all sides but not fully cooked through. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
- Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables In the same pot, add the diced onions and bell peppers, cooking for 3-4 minutes until they begin to soften. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the remaining tablespoon of Cajun seasoning, allowing the spices to toast slightly and coat the vegetables.
- Step 3: Cook the Orzo Add the uncooked orzo to the pot and stir continuously for about 1 minute to lightly toast the pasta and coat it with the seasonings. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pan to release any flavorful brown bits. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Step 4: Create the Creamy Sauce When the orzo is almost tender but still has a slight bite, return the chicken to the pot. Stir in the heavy cream, butter, and half of the Parmesan cheese. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 3-5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and the chicken is fully cooked.
- Step 5: Finish and Serve Remove the pot from heat and stir in the remaining Parmesan cheese, green onions, parsley, and lemon juice. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Let the One Pot Cajun Chicken Alfredo Orzo rest for 5 minutes before serving – this allows the sauce to thicken to the perfect consistency. Serve with additional Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes if desired.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 50mg