I want you to take a tasty adventure with an easy dish that will elevate your overall taste – try the cajun chicken orzo recipe.
In this blog post, we will discuss the complete process of how to prepare the cajun chicken orzo.
Later, we will also examine variations, pro tips to level up the taste, storage and freezing tips, and much more.
What is Cajun Chicken Orzo?
Cajun chicken orzo is a delicious one-pot meal that combines tender chicken with strong cajun spices and orzo pasta.
It is comforting and creamy, making it suitable for busy weeknights.
This recipe generally contains cajun seasoning, chicken breasts, sun-dried tomatoes and spinach all cooked well for better flavour.
It is perfect for more formal events or casual family dinners, making it a favourite among a lot. Leftovers can be easily reheated, so that you can enjoy them later.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Flavorful and Spicy: The cajun seasoning add a citrusy and strong flavour to the meal, making each bite exciting.
One-Pot Meal: This recipe is one-pot meal, which means less cleanup for you. Cooking everything in a pot allows the flavours mix together , making it a suitable option ofr a busy weeknights.
Quick and Easy: This recipe is quick and easy to prepare, it just takes around 30 minutes of cooking time, making it ideal for busy nights.
Versatile Ingredients: This recipe is versatile. You can easily adjust the protein, spiciness level or more vegetables based on your preference.
Nutritious: This meal is highly nutritious containing good fibre from vegetables and protein from chicken, making it a healthy and filling choice.
Tips
Marinate the Chicken: For better flavour, you can marinate the chicken in cajun seasoning, lemon juice and olive oil for a minimum of 30 minutes before cooking.
Use Homemade Cajun Seasoning: If you want, you can consider your own homemade cajun seasoning prepared with cayenne pepper, paprika, onion powder, oregano, thyme, garlic powder, and black pepper.
Cook Chicken Evenly: For even cooking, pound the chicken breasts to the same thickness before cooking and seasoning. It ensures evenly cooking and maintains the tenderness.
Add Vegetables: You can add more veggies to the meal such as mushrooms, zucchini or peas. You can also consider frozen vegetables.
Don’t Overcook the Orzo: Avoid overcooking the orzo. It should be firm but not hard, as it will keep absorbing the liquid and soften after removing from the heat.
Variations
Shrimp Cajun Orzo: You can use shrimp instead of chicken for a seafood flavour. Cook the shrimp until turn tender and pink, then combine them into the orzo for a flavorful and light meal.
Vegetarian Cajun Orzo: You can try cooked tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian choice instead of chicken. It adds protein and flavour while being vegetarian.
Creamy Cajun Orzo: You can mix in greek yogurt, heavy cream, cream cheese at the end of cooking for a creamy and rich texture. It offers an extra tasty and smooth texture.
Cheesy Cajun Orzo: You can mix in grated parmesan, crumbled feta cheese or cheddar cheese for a cheesy flavour. The melting cheese in the orzo offers the dish a delicious and creamy texture.
Mediterranean Cajun Orzo: You can add ingredients such as sun-dried tomatoes, olives and artichokes for a mediterranean flavour. It makes the meal flavouful and zesty.
Serving Suggestions
Garlic Bread: You can try crunchy, buttery garlic bread with herbs and garlic.
It is great for absorbing the extra sauce from the orzo and adds a comforting feel to the dish.
Caesar Salad: You can try a Caesar salad prepared with croutons, romaine lettuce, parmesan cheese and caesar dressing.
The crispy flavour of salad complements the rich orzo.
Coleslaw: You can try a zesty and crispy coleslaw prepared with carrots and shredded cabbage, generally dressed in a vinegar or creamy-based sauce.
It offers a refreshing contrast to the spicy cajun chicken.
Roasted Vegetables: A mix of seasonal veggies such as zucchini, bell peppers and carrots, roast until turn golden and sweet.
This side dish provide taste, colour, and nutrition to the dish.
Corn on the Cob: You can try a juicy, sweet corn on the cob either grileld or boiled.
It is a classic dish complements the cajun flavours.
Storing and Freezing
Storing
- Let the dish cool at room temperature before transferring it to the air-tight container.
- You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- When the meal is ready to eat, you can consume it on the stovetop or in the microwave.
- If orzo has absorbed excess liquid, add water or a little broth to provide a creamy texture.
Freezing
- If you are planning to freeze the chicken orzo, do it before putting any creamy elements, as they might not freeze well.
- Separately freeze the orzo and chicken from the sauce or cream.
- You can use heavy-duty freezer bags or freezer-safe airtight containers. Eliminate as much air as possible to avoid freezer burn.
- Label the bags or containers with the contents and date to keep track of freshness.
- You can put it in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- For reheating, thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then warm on the microwave or stovetop.
- If you freeze it without the creamy sauce, you can add it back while reheating.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the cajun chicken orzo offers a delightful meal that mixes the strong flavour of cajun with comforting orzo pasta.
Whether you need a meal for a busy night or a quick dinner, this is sure to impress everyone’s taste buds.
So why don’t you give this cajun chicken orzo a try? Grab your ingredients and start enjoy the cooking process.
Don’t forget to share your experience in the comments below.
After cooking the orzo, mix in the spinach and cherry tomatoes. For a creamy texture of sauce, add the heavy cream ir half-and-half now and mix everything well.
Read More:- Cajun Alfredo Sauce Recipe
Cajun Chicken Orzo
Ingredients
- For the Chicken:
- 1 lb 450g boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning store-bought or homemade
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- For the Orzo:
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 cups chicken broth or water
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
- 1 small onion diced
- 2-3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 bell pepper red, green, or yellow, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 cup spinach or kale optional
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half optional for creaminess
- Fresh parsley or green onions for garnish
Instructions
- First of all, season the chicken thighs or breasts with salt, cajun seasoning and pepper.
- In a large skillet, add a tablespoon of olive oil and heat over medium-high flame. Add the chicken and cook until well cooked and no longer pink in the center, it may bake around 6-7 minutes per side.
- Take it out from the skillet and let it rest before slicing.
- In the similar skillet, add another tablespoon of olive oil and cook the chopped bell pepper and onion until they turn soft, it may take around 2-4 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until turns fragrant.
- Then, add the chicken broth and let it boil. Lower the flame, cover the pan, and allow it cook for around 10-12 minutes or until the orzo turns tender.
- After cooking the orzo, mix in the spinach and cherry tomatoes. For a creamy texture of sauce, add the heavy cream or half-and-half now and mix everything well.
- Slice the cooked chicken and put it on the top of orzo mix. Let everything heat for a couple of minutes.
- It’s time to serve the chicken orzo. Before serving, garnish with fresh onions or parsley.
