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Creamy Cajun Chicken Orzo

Creamy Cajun Chicken Orzo is a fantastic weeknight meal that you’re going to love! It’s filling, full of cozy ingredients, and it comes together in under 30 minutes!
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American, Cajun
Keyword Cajun Chicken Orzo, Creamy Cajun Spice Orzo and Chicken, Creamy Chicken Orzo, Quick Cajun Chicken Orzo
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4 people
Calories 416kcal

Ingredients

FOR THE CHICKEN

  • 4 thinly sliced chicken breasts *2 regular chicken breasts butterflied in half
  • 1 tbsp cajun seasoning
  • 3 tbsp olive oil

FOR THE ORZO

  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 cup orzo
  • 1 tbsp cajun seasoning *See notes
  • 1 onion diced
  • 1 shallot minced
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup parmesan grated
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice freshly squeezed from about ½ of a lemon
  • Fresh thyme and lemon wedges for garnish

Instructions

  • Coat the chicken breasts with Cajun seasonings on both sides.
  • Drizzle olive oil into a pan over medium heat.
  • Fry the chicken breasts on each side for 2-3 minutes. Be sure the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Remove them from the pan and tent with foil.
  • Don’t clean the pan, turn the heat down to medium low and add the butter, orzo, onion, shallot, and cajun seasoning. Sauté for 3 minutes.
  • Turn the heat back up to medium, then add the chicken broth and stir occasionally for 7 minutes.
  • Add the heavy cream, parmesan, and lemon juice. Stir until the parmesan cheese melts.
  • Remove from the heat, return the chicken to the pan. Let stand for 5 minutes (the sauce will thicken up).
  • Top with fresh thyme and lemon wedges, serve immediately!

Notes

HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE CAJUN SPICE BLEND: mix together:
  • 2 tsp smoked paprika 
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp cayenne 
  • ½ tsp thyme
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp kosher salt
STORAGE:
Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 days.  
Tips for freezing: This dish doesn’t freeze well (pasta/cheesy sauces just do not make for great freezer meals in general).  However, you can freeze it.  Let the dish cool, then place the leftovers in a foil-lined freezer-friendly container, wrap the foil over the food (basically you’re putting it into a foil packet).  Then cover it, and freeze for up to 3 months.  Thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating.  
Reheating suggestion: reheat by heating a few tablespoons of broth over medium heat, add the leftover chicken and orzo. Cover, and heat for 3-5 minutes (or until warmed throughout).  
FOOD SAFETY: Be sure to always check the internal temperature of your meat.  Chicken breasts should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.  
Get a handy little meat thermometer magnet that you can stick to the side of your refrigerator and use it to check your meat when cooking. 

Nutrition

Calories: 416kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 44mg | Sodium: 441mg | Potassium: 289mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 2273IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 203mg | Iron: 2mg