Tender chicken melds with Cajun spices, Alfredo sauce, and orzo for a creamy, comforting meal.
# Components:
→ Proteins
01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 16 oz), cut into bite-sized pieces
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 cup baby spinach, roughly chopped (optional)
→ Pantry
06 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
07 - 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta (approximately 10.5 oz)
08 - 2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth (20 fl oz)
09 - 1 cup heavy cream (8 fl oz)
10 - 1/2 cup milk (4 fl oz)
→ Spices & Seasonings
11 - 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
12 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
13 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
14 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
15 - Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
→ Cheeses
16 - 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (2.6 oz)
→ Garnish
17 - Chopped fresh parsley
18 - Extra Parmesan cheese
# Directions:
01 - Combine chicken pieces with half of the Cajun seasoning, salt, and black pepper; mix well to coat evenly.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through, about 5 to 6 minutes. Remove chicken from the pan and set aside.
03 - In the same pan, add chopped onion and diced bell pepper. Cook for 3 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and sauté an additional 1 minute.
04 - Add orzo pasta, smoked paprika, remaining Cajun seasoning, and optional cayenne pepper to the pan. Cook, stirring frequently, for 1 minute to lightly toast the orzo.
05 - Pour in chicken broth, heavy cream, and milk. Stir thoroughly, scraping any browned bits from the bottom to deglaze the pan. Bring mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until orzo is tender and most liquid is absorbed.
06 - Return cooked chicken to the pot along with baby spinach if using. Stir in freshly grated Parmesan cheese until sauce becomes creamy and cheese is melted.
07 - Taste the dish and adjust salt and pepper as needed. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of milk or broth to loosen. Serve hot, garnished with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan.
