Hey, foodies! If you’re looking for a dish that’s bursting with flavor and super easy to make, then look no further! This Cajun Chicken and Creamy Tomato Orzo recipe is just what you need. It’s a complete meal with tender Cajun-spiced chicken, creamy tomato sauce, and perfectly cooked orzo. Trust me, it’s absolutely 10/10 deeeeelish and will become one of your go-to meals in no time!
This recipe serves two big portions, perfect for a cozy dinner or even meal prep for the next day. Let’s dive into how to make this mouthwatering dish!
Method
Prep the Chicken
Start by preparing the chicken breasts. Coat each chicken breast with the lighter than light mayo and Cajun seasoning. This combination will help lock in the moisture while adding that signature Cajun spice. Once the chicken is coated, wrap each breast tightly in foil. Preheat your air fryer or oven to 180°C (350°F) and place the wrapped chicken breasts inside. Cook them for about 20 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through. For extra precision, you can check the internal temperature of the chicken to ensure it reaches 165°F for food safety. This will ensure the chicken is tender and juicy!
Make the Tomato Orzo
While the chicken is cooking, grab a large pan and add your sundried tomatoes. Turn on the heat and sauté them for a minute to release their flavors. After that, add the crushed garlic, salt, pepper, Italian herbs, tomato purée, and vegetable stock. Stir everything together, allowing the ingredients to blend into a rich, flavorful sauce. As the sauce heats up, it will start to thicken and become fragrant, making your kitchen smell amazing.
Cook the Orzo
Next, add the dry orzo to the pan with the tomato sauce mixture. This step is crucial to infuse the orzo with all the delicious flavors from the sauce. Stir everything well to combine. Allow the mixture to come to a simmer, cooking the orzo in the sauce for about 10 minutes. During this time, stir occasionally to prevent the orzo from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Orzo tends to soak up a lot of the liquid, so make sure to monitor the sauce. If it gets too thick, add a little more boiling water from the kettle to keep everything moist and creamy.
Finish the Orzo
After the orzo has cooked and absorbed the flavors, it’s time to finish the dish. Add light cream cheese to the pan and stir it in to create a rich, creamy texture. As the cream cheese melts, the sauce becomes smooth and velvety. Then, toss in a handful of spinach. Stir until the spinach wilts into the sauce, which should only take a couple of minutes. The spinach will add a pop of color and nutrients to the dish, balancing out the richness of the sauce. Once everything is mixed and cooked to your liking, the orzo is ready to serve.
Serve
Now it’s time to bring everything together! Once the chicken is cooked and the orzo is creamy and flavorful, slice the Cajun chicken into strips. Plate the orzo and top it with the freshly sliced chicken. The combination of the creamy tomato orzo with the Cajun-spiced chicken will make every bite a delightful experience. Serve immediately, and enjoy!
Necessary Tools
- Air fryer or oven (180°C)
- Pan for cooking the sauce
- Stirring spoon
- Foil to wrap the chicken
- Measuring spoons
- A kettle for boiling water
Cajun Chicken & Creamy Tomato Orzo Recipe A Flavorful Twist on Comfort Food!
Cuisine: Mediterranean, ItalianDifficulty: Easy2
servings15
minutes30
minutes45
minutesIngredients
2 medium chicken breasts
10g lighter than light mayo
1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
100g sundried tomatoes
2 cloves garlic (crushed)
1 tbsp Italian herbs
Salt + pepper to taste
10g tomato purée
400ml vegetable stock
210g orzo (dry weight)
30g lightest cream cheese
A handful of spinach
Directions
- Prep the Chicken Start by coating the chicken breasts with mayo and Cajun seasoning. Wrap them up in foil and pop them in the air fryer or oven (set to 180°C) for about 20 minutes until they’re cooked through.
- Make the Tomato Orzo While the chicken is cooking, take a pan and add your sundried tomatoes. Then, throw in the garlic, salt, pepper, Italian herbs, tomato purée, and vegetable stock. Stir it all together.
- Cook the Orzo Now, add your dry orzo to the pan (I almost forgot to video this step oops! ) and bring the mix to a simmer. Let it cook for about 10 minutes. Don’t forget to stir occasionally! If the orzo starts soaking up the liquid, add a little more boiling water from the kettle.
- Finish the Orzo After 10 minutes, stir in the cream cheese and toss in the spinach. Stir until the spinach wilts and the orzo is cooked to your liking.
- Serve Check that everything’s cooked properly, and then plate it all up! Slice the Cajun chicken and place it on top of the creamy tomato orzo. Done!
Notes
- Orzo Cooking Tip Orzo soaks up a lot of liquid, so make sure to keep an eye on it and add more water as needed. You want it to be creamy, not dry.
- Chicken Cooking Tip If you don’t have an air fryer, you can easily cook the chicken in the oven, but just make sure to check that it’s fully cooked before serving. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Spinach Tip Don’t overcook the spinach. It wilts quickly, and you don’t want it to lose its vibrant green color.
Serving Suggestions
This dish pairs perfectly with a side of garlic bread or a green salad for some extra crunch. You could also add a dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of parmesan to bring it to the next level!
Fun Fact
Did you know that Cajun seasoning is actually a blend of spices rooted in the Cajun cooking tradition from Louisiana? It’s a perfect combination of heat and flavor that makes any dish pop!
Conclusion
There you have it! This Cajun Chicken & Creamy Tomato Orzo is a delicious, creamy, and satisfying dish that’s easy to make and full of flavor. It’s a great weeknight meal that can be prepared in just under an hour. I hope you love this recipe as much as I do! Let me know how it turns out when you make it!
