Description
How to make creamy one-pot Cajun chicken alfredo orzo with tender chicken, bold spices and rich cream sauce that’s ready in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein & Base
- 1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1½ cups uncooked orzo pasta
Cajun Seasoning Blend
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
Creamy Sauce
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Season Chicken: Mix all Cajun spices in a bowl, then toss chicken pieces with the seasoning blend until evenly coated. Let it sit for 5 minutes to absorb flavors.
- Brown Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Cook seasoned chicken for 5-6 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same pot, cook diced onion for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook 30 seconds more until fragrant but not browned.
- Cook Orzo: Add orzo and chicken broth to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until orzo is tender.
- Add Cream: Stir in heavy cream and return chicken to the pot. Simmer 2-3 minutes until heated through and sauce begins to thicken slightly around the pasta.
- Finish Sauce: Remove from heat and stir in butter, Parmesan cheese, and fresh parsley. Let stand 2 minutes for cheese to melt and sauce to thicken perfectly.
Notes
- Don’t skip browning the chicken—it adds crucial flavor to the entire dish.
- Stir the orzo frequently while cooking to prevent sticking to the bottom.
- Always remove from heat before adding cheese to prevent curdling.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
- Add a splash of broth when reheating to loosen the thickened sauce.
- Freshly grated Parmesan melts much better than pre-shredded varieties.
Allergy Information: Dairy, Gluten
Nutrition
- Calories: 485 calories
- Fat: 24g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Protein: 32g