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Creamy Cajun Chicken Orzo served in a teal bowl, made with tender chicken pieces, orzo pasta, spinach, and a rich orange Cajun cream sauce.

Creamy Cajun Chicken Orzo

A cozy, creamy one-pan dinner loaded with bold Cajun flavor and tender chicken, perfect for hectic weeknights.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Cajun-Inspired
Calories: 433
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 3 chicken breasts boneless, skinless, sliced into thin strips
  • 1 –3 tablespoons Cajun seasoning adjust based on spice tolerance
  • 1 teaspoon salt fine sea salt recommended
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil extra virgin preferred
  • ½ tablespoon butter unsalted for control
  • 1 large onion finely diced for even cooking
  • 2 garlic cloves freshly minced
  • 2 tablespoons sun-dried tomatoes oil-packed, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste concentrated for richness
  • 1 cup orzo pasta dry, uncooked
  • 1 cup chicken broth warm, low-sodium if possible
  • 1 cup shredded spinach fresh, loosely packed
  • ¼ cup heavy cream full-fat for best texture
  • 3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese finely grated, plus more for serving

Method
 

  1. Season the chicken strips evenly with Cajun seasoning and salt. prep
  2. Heat the olive oil and butter in a large covered pan, then cook the chicken until lightly golden on the outside. prep
  3. Add the diced onion, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and tomato paste, stirring well and cooking gently until softened and fragrant. mix
  4. Stir in the orzo pasta, toast briefly, then pour in the chicken broth, cover, and simmer while stirring often to prevent sticking. bake
  5. Remove the lid once the orzo is nearly tender and fold in the spinach until just wilted. finish
  6. Pour in the cream, stir through the Parmesan, adjust seasoning if needed, and serve immediately with extra cheese. finish

Nutrition

Serving: 350gCalories: 433kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 45gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 116mgSodium: 920mgPotassium: 1038mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1776IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 80mgIron: 2mg

Notes

Creamy, bold, and deeply comforting, this is the kind of dinner that disappears fast. Best enjoyed fresh while the sauce is silky and the Cajun spices are warm and fragrant.

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