One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Orzo
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One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Orzo
Spice up your weeknight dinners with this One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Orzo—a bold, flavor-packed dish that’s ready in just 45 minutes! Tender, juicy chicken is seared to perfection and tossed in a rich, creamy Cajun-seasoned sauce with perfectly cooked orzo pasta, garlic, and herbs. This comforting, Southern-inspired one-pan meal brings together the heat of Cajun spices and the coziness of a creamy pasta all in one skillet—minimal cleanup, maximum flavor. Whether you're cooking for the family or meal prepping for the week, this dish is a go-to favorite for busy nights. Easily customizable to be dairy-free, vegan or gluten-free! Slow-cooker option as well.
Honestly, if you love chicken or a good creamy chicken dish, then this One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Orzo is surely the recipe for you! I seriously can't get enough of this dish and the amount of flavor jam-packed in one is absolutely incredible! When it comes to most days, weeknight meals are my go-to because I love how quick and easy they are, especially after an extremely busy day.
I don't know about you, but my Creamy Lemon Herb Parmesan Chicken is yet another dish that I make on a regular and I enjoy substituting the chicken or other ingredients like seafood (lobster, shrimp, salmon) or even non-meat options like chickpeas, etc. Regardless of the main meat item involved, you're guaranteed to enjoy the flavors in this dish. Plus, this Creamy Pesto Chicken Breast with Broccoli is one to try next!
Jump to:
- What Is Orzo?
- What Can Be Cooked in a Cast-Iron Skillet?
- Why You'll Love This One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Orzo
- How to Make One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Orzo
- Ingredients for Creamy Cajun Chicken Orzo
- Homemade Cajun Seasoning Blend
- How To Cook This One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Orzo In A Slow Cooker?
- Ingredient Substitutes + Meat Alternatives for this Creamy Dish:
- Vegan Creamy Cajun Options
- Tips for Making One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Orzo Perfect
- What Is The Ideal Chicken Cut To Use?
- What White Wine is Best in Creamy Chicken Orzo?
- Common Q + A's for One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Orzo
- More Fancy Weeknight Dinner Recipes
- MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
- One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Orzo
What Is Orzo?
Orzo is a small, rice-shaped pasta that often gets mistaken for rice due to its similar size + shape. Despite its pasta nature, orzo is incredibly versatile and can be used in various dishes--- some of my faves are my Creamy White Bean Lemon Orzo Soup, BBQ Jerk Lobster + Garlic Herb Orzo and Spicy Curry Vegan Meatballs + Orzo. It makes a great addition to soups + salads.
What Can Be Cooked in a Cast-Iron Skillet?
With skillets, I love using cast-iron skillets that are premium in their coating and make, much like Le Crueset or Staub skillets. However, when it comes to making meals in my favorite skillet, I truly enjoy switching things up and keeping dinners in my house interesting by making any of the following:
- Pizza
- Any kind of chicken (in the oven or stovetop)
- Pancakes
- Lasagna
- Brownies
- Sandwiches (paninis, grilled cheese, etc.)
- Oatmeal
- Galettes
- Crisps
- Stews
- And the list goes on.
Why You'll Love This One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Orzo
- Bursting with authentic cajun flavors
- Tender + juicy chicken in a rich, flavorful sauce
- Customizable spice levels to suit your taste
- Quick + easy to make for a satisfying meal
- Perfect for enjoying with orzo or your favorite side dish!
- Irresistible flavors that are whipped together in just one pot
How to Make One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Orzo
Cooking One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Orzo is generally an easy process---in total about 40-45 minutes. You first start by cleaning and washing your chicken pieces to ensure that they are clean and ready to be seasoned. I like to wash my chicken with both vinegar and lemon to help keep things clean and sanitized.
Once your chicken is clean, then it's seasoning time! I'm all about seasoning every "layer" of my food, therefore, the chicken gets direct seasoning and so does the sauce. Let everything marinate for 5-10 minutes or overnight tightly wrapped in the refrigerator for the best results.
In a deep skillet or pot over medium-high heat, add the butter and once fully heated, add the marinated chicken and cook on each side until seared, about 3-4 minutes each side. Once brown on each side, remove chicken from skillet and set aside on a plate.
In the same skillet, add the olive oil and minced garlic, sautéing until fragrant and translucent, about 2-3 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low and add in the chicken stock and seared chicken pieces and allow everything to bubble for 1-2 minutes before reducing the heat to lower and simmering the chicken for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then add the orzo, remaining sauce ingredients, stir to combine and let cook for another 10 minutes or so. Wallah!
Ingredients for Creamy Cajun Chicken Orzo
The ingredients for this creamy cajun chicken orzo are important for developing the right flavor notes. Here's what you'll need:
- Chicken. You can use a mixture of drumsticks, thighs or breasts, just remove the skin first if desired.
- Cajun seasoning. Use store-bought or my homemade seasoning blend.
- Seasonings. You'll need garlic powder and smoked paprika for the chicken marinade along with cajun seasoning.
- Garlic. If you don't have fresh, substitute with ½ teaspoon of powdered garlic.
- Butter. I recommend unsalted. For a dairy-free option, use vegan butter.
- Olive oil. Extra fat to this dish that adds additional flavor. You can sub with Grapeseed oil or Avocado oil.
- Lemon juice. Freshly-squeezed is best! You can also include half a lemon or slices to sauce.
- Dried orzo. This pasta adds a delightful texture to the soup, making it heartier and more satisfying. Opt for a Gluten-free Orzo to make it GF.
- Chicken stock. Make your own or use low-sodium store-bought stock.
- Heavy cream. I always use organic! For dairy-option, sub with full-fat coconut milk or cream.
- White wine. Use your favorite dry white. You can omit this and sub with additional chicken stock.
- Parmesan. I love to freshly grate my cheese, however, you can use your favorite shredded brand---quality does matter! You could also use pecorino romano. For a vegan option, So Delicious Dairy-Free or Violife cheese shreds taste great.
- Kale. Use fresh for best results, but frozen also works! Ensure that it’s chopped. Feel free to use spinach, collards, asparagus, broccoli or broccolini, etc.
SHOP MY FAVORITE TOOLS FOR BAKING, ESPECIALLY FOR THIS CHICKEN ORZO DISH!
Here, I’ve curated a list of baking + cooking essentials that I use to achieve my favorite dishes, especially with this One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Orzo. Everything from my fave loaf pan, wooden spoons, parchment paper, and more. SEE THEM HERE!
Homemade Cajun Seasoning Blend
Sure, you can find pre-made seasoning blends at the grocery store. But there’s nothing like the fresh, customized flavor you get by making your own blend. The herbs and spices in the cajun spice mix for this recipe are inspired by the fresh herbs that work so beautifully together to create a bold, spicy flavor (from the cayenne + paprika).
You can Store the seasoning blend in an airtight container at room temperature for up to six months. Use it on anything from simple roasted vegetables to salad dressing to herb oil for dipping bread.
CAJUN SEASONING BLEND
To make your own homemade seasoning, combine the following:
- Garlic powder
- Italian seasoning
- Smoked paprika
- Sea salt
- Black pepper
- Cayenne
- Dried thyme
- Onion powder
How To Cook This One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Orzo In A Slow Cooker?
Making this cajun chicken + orzo in the slow cooker is a breeze and makes for a hands-off, delicious meal. To make this dish in the slow cooker, simply sear both sides of the chicken pieces and remove onto a plate. Then sauté garlic and before adding everything (excluding the heavy cream + parmesan) into your slow cooker and cooking on a low setting for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally---until all the orzo is tender and cooked through. In the final 30 minutes or so, add the heavy cream and parmesan, stirring to combine.
Ingredient Substitutes + Meat Alternatives for this Creamy Dish:
Making this One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Orzo doesn't have to be left to only chicken or orzo. No worries----the possibility of switching things up with another meat or alternative is also a good idea:
- Beef
- Steak
- Gnnochi
- Rice (brown, basmati, etc.)
- Pasta
- Potatoes
- Other beans (black beans, kidney beans, etc.)
- Lamb
- Other seafood (lobster, shrimp, salmon, etc.)
Vegan Creamy Cajun Options
Vegetarians and vegans, you can still enjoy the amazing flavors of this dish with some meat-free options seasoned this cajun seasoning. Here are a few of my top picks for you to try out:
- Tofu or Tempeh. Coat slices with cajun seasoning and sear until crispy.
- Vegan 'Chicken'. Follow the same steps for cooking.
- Chickpeas. Toss cooked chickpeas with cajun seasoning and roast until crunchy and flavorful.
- Portobello mushrooms. Brush portobello mushrooms with oil, sprinkle with cajun seasoning, and grill until tender.
- Seitan strips. Coat seitan strips in cajun seasoning and pan-fry until crispy and well-seasoned.
- Jackfruit. Season canned young green jackfruit with cajun seasoning and sauté until caramelized.
Tips for Making One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Orzo Perfect
Don't be intimidated to cook this One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Orzo at home. It's easier than you think! In fact, one-pot meals are easier to cook than their counterparts in some ways because everything can be supervised together.
Keep these tips in mind when cooking your chicken and orzo:
- Always sear your chicken first. This helps to start the "cooking" process of your chicken early which cuts done the time and it also helps to give your chicken a beautiful golden color and crust.
- This is a very flavorful dish, with lots of seasoning. If you prefer a more mild flavor, you can reduce the amount of spices and herbs.
- Orzo is a variety of pasta. If you'd like to make this dish gluten-free, you can substitute orzo with your favorite gluten-free pasta. Cook according to package instructions. However, in general once orzo is fully cooked, it will swell in size and becomes firm and chewy in texture.
What Is The Ideal Chicken Cut To Use?
For this One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Orzo, I prefer using a mix of legs (drumsticks) and skinless thighs. However, if you prefer other parts of the chicken, you can use a whole chicken by cutting it into pieces and removing most of the skin. It's best to chop larger chicken pieces into smaller ones. I advise against using only chicken breast for this recipe as it contains less fat and can quickly become dry during cooking.
What White Wine is Best in Creamy Chicken Orzo?
I tend to use a lot of white cooking wine, which is easiest for me. However, I do occasionally add quality white wine to my dishes and I recommend using a dry white wine. But, if you prefer not to use wine at all, simply substitute with additional chicken stock.
A dry white wine will add the right amount of acidity rather than sweetness, which will better compliment your dish like this One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Orzo. In general, any of the following dry white wines work great in this soup:
Pinot Grigio, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Blanc, and dry sparkling wines.
Common Q + A's for One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Orzo
Any leftovers can be kept in a tightly sealed container and refrigerated for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, it's best when done in the oven, microwave, or on the stovetop. You'll need to add a bit of heavy cream or chicken stock to re-create the creaminess of the sauce when heating it up. Stir in the added liquid and it should become creamy again.
Yes! To add a bit more flavor to this dish, you can always feel free to add in your favorite greens such as spinach, broccolini, collards, or asparagus.
Absolutely! To make this dish dairy-free, simply use vegan butter instead of the regular butter. Then swap the cream with full-fat coconut milk or coconut cream. And use your favorite dairy-free shredded cheese or nutritional yeast instead of parmesan.
Of course! Take a look at my blog post for the vegan + meat alternative options!
Yup! To make this One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Orzo GF-friendly, simply substitute the orzo with a gluten-free version (or other GF pasta) and ensure that other ingredients are GF-friendly (chicken stock, heavy cream, etc.).
For this One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Orzo, I prefer using a mix of legs (drumsticks) and skinless thighs. However, if you prefer other parts of the chicken, you can use a whole chicken by cutting it into pieces and removing most of the skin. It's best to chop larger chicken pieces into smaller ones. I advise against using only chicken breast for this recipe as it contains less fat and can quickly become dry during cooking.
Yup! Making this cajun chicken + orzo in the slow cooker is a breeze and makes for a hands-off, delicious meal. To make this dish in the slow cooker, simply sear both sides of the chicken pieces and remove onto a plate. Then sauté garlic and before adding everything (excluding the heavy cream + parmesan) into your slow cooker and cooking on a low setting for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally---until all the orzo is tender and cooked through. In the final 30 minutes or so, add the heavy cream and parmesan, stirring to combine.
More Fancy Weeknight Dinner Recipes
- Nashville Hot Cauliflower + Kale Grits
- Authentic Jerk Chicken Rasta Pasta
- Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken
- My Hubby’s Favorite Oven-Baked BBQ Ribs
- Hot Honey Baked Chicken Breasts
- Spicy Southern Shrimp + Grits
- Southern-Style Cajun Pasta
- Spicy Cajun Shrimp, Kale + Cauliflower Rice
- Creamy Salmon Alfredo Pasta
- Date Night Healthy Shrimp Lo Mein
- Honey Garlic Shrimp with Broccoli
MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
If you tried my One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Orzo recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. And don't forget to tag me @shanikagrahamwhite on Instagram. I love hearing from you!
One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Orzo
Ingredients
CHICKEN:
- 3-4 lbs. organic chicken, skin removed (Drumsticks, Breasts, + Thigh pieces work great!)
- 2 tsps cajun seasoning blend
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup dry orzo pasta, original or multicolor (See Post on Cooking Tips)
- 2 Tbsps unsalted butter, for cooking
CREAMY SAUCE:
- 1 tablespoon Extra virgin olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 cups organic chicken stock/broth
- 1 cup organic heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon cajun seasoning blend
- 1 cup freshly-grated parmesan
- 2 Tbsps white cooking wine, optional (You can sub with additional chicken stock)
- ½ lemon, freshly-squeezed (You can reduce the amount of lemon for less bold flavor)
- 1 cup chopped organic kale, optional
Instructions
MARINATE THE CHICKEN:
- In a large bowl, add your freshly cleaned + rinsed chicken along with smoked paprika, cajun seasoning, and garlic powder, mixing everything together until chicken is fully coated. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes. NOTE: Best when chicken is marinated overnight in the fridge or up to 2 days for more flavor!
SEAR THE CHICKEN:
- In a large skillet (12-inch) over medium-high heat, add the butter and once fully melted, add the seasoned chicken and cook on each side until seared, about 3-4 minutes each side. Once brown on each side, remove from skillet and set onto a plate to "rest" while you make the sauce.
TO MAKE THE CREAMY CAJUN SAUCE:
- In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil until heated.
- Add the minced garlic, sautéing until fragrant and translucent, about 1-2 minutes. Add in the cajun seasoning and stir until well combined.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and add in the chicken stock and seared chicken pieces and allow everything to bubble for 1-2 minutes before reducing the heat to lower and simmering the chicken for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- After about 15 minutes, increase the heat to medium-low and add the orzo, heavy cream, cooking wine, lemon juice, and kale, stirring slightly to incorporate without moving the chicken too much.
- Once the orzo swells, the liquid reduces + the sauce thickens, and the chicken is cooked through and tender, add in the grated parmesan (around the chicken), stirring slightly again to incorporate without moving the chicken too much. Let everything cook for another 3-4 minutes and remove from heat.
- To serve, spoon the orzo and chicken into your prepared plate(s) or bowl(s). Garnish with a bit of grated parmesan (for extra cheesy flavor), if desired.
- Bon Appetit!
Tips & Tricks
- STORAGE: Any leftovers can be kept in a tightly sealed container and refrigerated for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, it's best when done in the oven, microwave, or on the stovetop. You'll need to add a bit of heavy cream or chicken stock to re-create the creaminess of the sauce when heating it up. Stir in the added liquid and it should become creamy again.
- GREENS: To add a bit more flavor to this dish, you can always feel free to add in your favorite greens such as spinach, broccolini, collards, or asparagus.
- DAIRY-FREE + GLUTEN-FREE OPTIONS: See FAQ section for details!
- VEGAN OPTION: To see meat alternatives for this dish, see Post!
- SPICES/HERBS: If desired, you can reduce the amounts slightly. Please know that this recipe is bold in spice/herb flavor, so feel free to adjust based on your tastebuds.
Nutrition
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very lemony, kale made the dish quite unpleasant. would recommend using 1/4 of a lemon instead and using a different green or not using one at all.
Hi Haku! I'm so sorry to hear that this recipe wasn't the best tasting for you! I actually am updating the recipe + images after perfecting it and I hope that you will give it a try again! 🙂
THIS WAS PHENOMENAL. I've never gobbled up something so fast haha. Like a couple other comments, the consistency was more soupy. I'm thinking maybe it's because we weren't cooking it on a high enough temperature so maybe it didn't evaporate as much as it should have.
Next time I will cook a bit higher, or I will reduce the liquid ingredients a bit.
Either way, I'm definitely making this again. Such divine flavours.
Hi Ace! OMGG! That makes me so happy to hear that you enjoyed it that much! haha. Also, yes----cooking it on a higher heat will definitely help to reduce the liquid and thicken the sauce better! I truly hope it turns out perfect on your next try! Thanks so much for giving it a try! 🙂
hi, do u cook the orzo seperate before adding in with chicken?
Hi Ella! You'll be cooking the orzo at the same time within the same skillet as mentioned in the directions. 🙂
Similar to another comment, the taste was delicious, but it definitely did not look like your pictures. It was more like a soup consistency than you had. We double checked the proportions too, and nothing is off. I would still make it again, but probably add in more orzo pasta and let the sauce boil a bit more.
Hi Morgan! I'm so sorry to hear about that! It definitely helps to simmer the sauce a bit more, however, once the orzo cooks it should absorb a lot of the liquid. 🙂
This dish is FIRE!! I made it tonight for my family (11 year old twin girls & husband), and everyone cleaned their plates!!
This was super easy to make, no ingredients out of the normal - which is always a big win with me...
We're already discussing when we are going to make it again!! This will be in the rotation OFTEN!
Hi Cynthia! WOW---that truly makes me so happy to hear that you and your family enjoyed this! It's definitely one of my easy go-to recipes in the week! Thanks so much for choosing to give it a try! 🙂
it tasted amazing, but unfortunately didn't look anything like your photos! there seemed to be way too much cream left at the end? is 1 cup the right amount?
Hi Ash! I'm so sorry to hear that it didn't come out right! Yes, 1 cup is correct! Did the cream not cook at all after the dish was done?
Great recipe
Hi Kimberly! Thanks so much! I'm so glad that you enjoyed it! 🙂