Description
How to make creamy Cajun garlic butter chicken orzo with tender chicken, aromatic spices and rich cream sauce for the perfect weeknight comfort meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Base
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp butter, divided
Aromatics and Seasonings
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 tsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Creamy Sauce
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Season Chicken: Pat chicken pieces dry and season generously with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let sit for 5 minutes to absorb flavors while you prep other ingredients.
- Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil and 1 tbsp butter in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook 6-8 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove to plate.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add remaining butter to same pan. Sauté onion for 3 minutes until softened, then add garlic, paprika, and garlic powder. Cook 1 minute until fragrant.
- Cook Orzo: Add orzo and chicken broth to pan. Bring to boil, then reduce heat and simmer 10-12 minutes, stirring frequently, until orzo is tender and liquid is mostly absorbed.
- Add Cream: Stir in heavy cream and return chicken to pan. Simmer 3-4 minutes until sauce thickens slightly. Remove from heat and stir in Parmesan cheese until melted.
- Finish Dish: Add lemon juice and fresh parsley, then taste and adjust seasoning. Let rest 2 minutes to thicken before serving – the sauce will continue to develop as it cools slightly.
Notes
- Don’t skip letting the seasoned chicken rest – it helps the spices penetrate for better flavor.
- Stir the orzo frequently while cooking to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking throughout.
- The sauce will thicken as it cools, so don’t worry if it seems thin at first.
- Leftovers keep well and actually taste even better the next day after flavors meld.
- Adjust Cajun seasoning to your heat preference – start with less and add more as needed.
- Fresh parsley makes a big difference in both flavor and appearance over dried herbs.
Allergy Information: Dairy, Gluten
Nutrition
- Calories: 485 calories
- Fat: 24g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Protein: 32g