One Pot Cajun Chicken Alfredo Orzo (Printable)
Creamy orzo pasta with seasoned chicken in a spicy Cajun Alfredo sauce, all cooked in one pot for easy cleanup.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
→ Vegetables & Aromatics
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 cup baby spinach (optional)
→ Dry Ingredients
06 - 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta (uncooked)
→ Dairy
07 - 2 cups chicken broth
08 - 1 cup heavy cream
09 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
10 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
→ Spices & Seasonings
11 - 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
12 - 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
13 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
14 - 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
15 - Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
→ Garnish
16 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
# Step-by-step:
01 - Heat a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add butter and let it melt completely.
02 - Toss the diced chicken with 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Add chicken to the pan and sauté until browned on all sides, approximately 4-5 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
03 - In the same pan, add chopped onion and red bell pepper. Sauté for 3 minutes until softened, then add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
04 - Add orzo to the pan, stirring constantly to coat in the flavors for about 1 minute until lightly toasted.
05 - Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Stir in the remaining Cajun seasoning and smoked paprika until well combined.
06 - Return the chicken to the pan. Bring to a gentle simmer, reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until orzo is al dente and liquid is mostly absorbed.
07 - Stir in Parmesan cheese, spinach (if using), and crushed red pepper flakes if desired. Cook for 1-2 more minutes, until cheese is melted and spinach is wilted.
08 - Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Remove from heat and let rest for a couple of minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving.
09 - Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately while hot.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Everything cooks in one pot so you spend less time cleaning and more time eating
- The Cajun seasoning transforms ordinary Alfredo into something extraordinary
- Orzo pasta absorbs all those incredible flavors better than regular pasta
02 -
- The sauce will continue thickening as it rests so do not panic if it looks slightly loose in the pan
- Orzo goes from perfectly cooked to mushy quickly so check it at the 12 minute mark
- Skimping on the Cajun seasoning is the biggest mistake you can make with this recipe
03 -
- Use freshly grated Parmesan instead of pre shredded for the smoothest sauce texture
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels before seasoning for the best sear and flavor absorption