Cajun Chicken Orzo
, Updated Sep 06, 2025
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Cajun Chicken Orzo – this one-pot chicken breast recipe is packed with flavor and easy to prepare. Deliciously creamy and comforting and one of my favorite meals for busy weeknights.
You will also love my Cajun Dirty Orzo and reader fave Cajun Shrimp Pasta!
Creamy orzo with chicken and Cajun seasoning… I know, it doesn’t sound all that exciting but this quick one-pot meal is just so incredibly tasty.
If you are looking to expand your chicken breast recipe repertoire then this is a MUST make. And with the orzo and chicken cooking together in one pot it also cuts down on the dishes. A truly winning chicken dinner!
Best of all, it’s so quick and easy to make that it’s hard to beat when you’re racking your brain for something the whole family will enjoy.
Looking for something to bring to that summer barbecue? Or maybe having friends over for dinner and want something to impress everyone? Then this truly winning chicken dish is just the thing!
Cajun Chicken Orzo Ingredients
- Chicken breasts cut into strips or bite sized pieces. Skinless chicken thighs can also be used, if you like.
- Cajun seasoning – this store-bought spice mix is a delicious blend of paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, black pepper and oregano is always in my spice drawer. It adds depth of flavor and a little bit of spice and can be used in so many ways.
- Orzo – this small pasta shape resembles rice or grains of barley. It’s used a lot in Italian and Greek recipes – I grew up eating it and love it! Orzo is best cooked in broth, similar to risotto, for maximum flavor and creaminess. (Check out this Creamy Orzo With Rosemary Browned Butter recipe).
- The rest of the ingredients are olive oil, butter, onion, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, tomato paste, chicken broth, shredded spinach, cream and Parmesan cheese.
- You may be tempted to throw in more vegetables or handfuls of fresh herbs, but it’s really not necessary – the secret to this dish is its simplicity!
How to make Cajun Chicken Orzo
Full measurements and instructions can be found on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page. Please take a look at the steps and video before attempting this recipe!
- Combine the chicken, Cajun seasoning and salt. Heat the butter and oil in a large pan (a Chef’s pan with a lid is ideal) and pan fry the chicken until it starts to color.
- Add the onion, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, tomato paste and stir to combine. Cook over low heat for five minutes, stirring frequently.
- Stir in the orzo, cook for a minute or so then add the chicken broth. Bring to a simmer, cover the pan and cook for about 20 minutes, stirring frequently. Orzo absorbs liquid readily so keep an eye on the pan and add a little extra water, as needed, if the pan gets too dry.
- Uncover the pan and test the orzo – it should be almost tender but with a little bite to it. Stir in the shredded spinach so that it wilts.
- Stir in the cream and add the grated Parmesan. You should have a deliciously indulgent sauce, creating a perfectly creamy dish. Check the seasoning and serve with extra Parmesan cheese.
Leftovers and Storage
This creamy Cajun chicken orzo tastes best as soon as cool enough to devour! Leftovers will keep for a couple of days in an airtight container in the fridge.
To reheat, add a splash of water or broth and bring to a simmer in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Alternatively reheat in a microwave until piping hot, stirring halfway through.
You will also love…
HAVE YOU MADE MY CAJUN CHICKEN ORZO RECIPE? Please leave a rating, post a photo on my Facebookpage, share it on Instagram, or save it to Pinterest with the tag #supergoldenbakes and make my day!
Cajun Chicken Orzo
Video
Ingredients
- 3 chicken breasts , cut into small strips
- 1-3 tbsp Cajun seasoning Note: if your seasoning is spicy add ½ tbsp
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tbsp butter
- 1 large onion , finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
- 2 tbsp chopped sun-dried tomatoes
- 1 tbsp tomato paste (tomato purée)
- 1 cup (200g) orzo pasta
- 1 cup (240ml) chicken broth or stock made with a stock cube
- 1 cup (30g) shredded spinach
- ¼ cup (60ml) heavy cream (double cream)
- 3 tbsp grated parmesan cheese , plus extra to serve
Instructions
- Combine the chicken, Cajun seasoning and salt. Heat the butter and oil in a large pan (a Chef’s pan with a lid is ideal) and pan fry the chicken until it starts to color.3 chicken breasts, 1-3 tbsp Cajun seasoning, 1 tsp salt, 1 tbsp olive oil, ½ tbsp butter
- Add the onion, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, tomato paste and stir to combine. Cook over low heat for five minutes, stirring frequently.1 large onion, 2 cloves garlic, 2 tbsp chopped sun-dried tomatoes, 1 tbsp tomato paste
- Stir in the orzo, cook for a minute or so then add the chicken broth. Bring to a simmer, cover the pan and cook for about 20 minutes, stirring frequently. Orzo absorbs liquid readily so keep an eye on the pan and add a little extra water, as needed, if the pan gets too dry.1 cup (200g) orzo pasta, 1 cup (240ml) chicken broth
- Uncover the pan and test the orzo – it should be almost tender but with a little bite to it. Stir in the shredded spinach so that it wilts.1 cup (30g) shredded spinach
- Stir in the cream and add the grated Parmesan. You should have a deliciously indulgent sauce, creating a perfectly creamy dish. Check the seasoning and serve with extra Parmesan cheese.¼ cup (60ml) heavy cream, 3 tbsp grated parmesan cheese
Notes
To reheat, add a splash of water or broth and bring to a simmer in a saucepan. Alternatively reheat in a microwave until piping hot, stirring halfway through.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is always approximate, and will depend on quality of ingredients and serving sizes.
Absolutely delicious!! I put a splash of half and half in instead of heavy cream because that’s what I had, but other than that I followed the recipe! I’ll definitely be making this again and recommending to others.
This was absolutely delicious! I used less Cajun seasoning because mine was on the spicy side. I also had to add about half a cup more water as orzo was cooking.
I would definitely make again!!
Very yummy I switched out the sun dried tomatoes and used a can of diced tomatoes reason is I don’t like the sun dried ones. I used a Cajun seasoning mix I think next time I will try the separate seasonings I think the Cajun mix was very salty I didn’t add any salt thank goodness. Definitely a keeper.. Thanks for sharing
My family is raving about this as we speak. Wanted something relatively easy and quick and this looked like it would fit the bill. From prep to plate it maybe took 40 minutes. Delicious. I did not have tomato paste for some reason so I subbed a small can of tomato sauce. I am sure paste would have made it even better! They have already said to put in regular rotation. I am going to keep some prepped chicken in the freezer so it will be even quicker. Yum!
Thanks for sharing!
This has easily become one of our favorite meal prep rotations. I actually use arborio rice instead of orzo because my husband is gluten intolerant and it comes together the same but in a risotto style which makes it extra creamy and yummy. I also add mushrooms and triple the spinach for some extra veg. *chefs kiss* Also, make your own cajun seasoning, it’s WAY better when you make it from scratch 🙂
I made this and I LOVE it!! I sent the recipe to everyone I know! Thank you 🙂
Thank you Rosanne!
3 tablespoons of cajun seasoning? Is that correct? Sounds like a lot…
Hi Nicholas – the Cajun seasoning mix in the UK is not particularly spicy. Add less if yours is on the spicy side.
Thanks. Sounds delicious. Got all the ingredients in and going to make tonight 👍👍👍
Is using rotisserie chicken, would you advise just adding at the end?
yes just to warm it through
I’ve made this many times for my family but don’t think I’ve left a comment yet. We love it! After making it for the first time I realized I need to always make a bigger batch because everyone wants to go back for seconds. I can usually double everything but the chicken – I use 3-4 big breasts and it’s still enough. I usually do 2 tbsp of cajun seasoning because we like some kick and skip the salt. Thanks for a great recipe!!
A big batch sounds awesome! Thanks for the comment Tiffany 🫶
I was just wondering if the nutritional information is accurate? It states it’s over 15k grams of sodium. Or did I completely read that wrong? Ha! Thank you!
I think there’s a miscalculation in the nutritional info – it is not infallible, sadly
Delicious. And so easy to make