This cheesy Cajun chicken orzo pairs ground chicken with the Cajun holy trinity, garlic, lemon juice, Tabasco hot sauce, orzo, and two kinds of cheese to make a hearty one skillet meal.
There’s a recipe card below for you to print. Drop any questions you have in the comments below.
If you’re looking for another recipe to make with orzo, check out my Italian ground chicken bowls, lemon pepper ground turkey and broccoli orzo, or brown butter mushroom orzo recipes next. And if love this Cajun ground chicken and orzo, I always appreciate recipe reviews!
Cajun Chicken Orzo
Ground chicken and orzo join forces in one skillet with the Cajun trinity and seasoning, Tabasco, two types of cheese, and fresh herbs.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 Tablespoon Olive Oil, divided
- 1 pound Ground Chicken
- 1 large White Onion, diced
- 4 hearts Celery, diced
- 1 Green Bell Pepper, diced
- 4 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 Tablespoon Cajun Seasoning
- 2 1/2 cups Chicken Broth
- 2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice
- 1-2 Tablespoons Tabasco Hot Sauce
- 1 1/3 cup (220g) Orzo
For Finishing
- 1/2 cup Milk
- 2 oz Grated Parmesan
- 1-2 handfuls Freshly Chopped Parsley
- 2-3 Scallions, thinly sliced
- 4 oz Shredded Cheddar Cheese
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with 1/2 tablespoon olive oil. Once hot, add the ground chicken and brown one side for 3-4 minutes before flipping and pushing to one side of the pan.
- Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil, followed by the onion, celery, bell pepper, garlic, and cajun seasoning. Stir everything together with the chicken and cook until the chicken is fully cooked.
- Add the orzo, hot sauce, lemon juice, and chicken broth, stirring everything together. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is cooked and little liquid remains, about 12 minutes. (Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of broth if needed.)
- Turn off the heat and stir in the milk, parmesan, and herbs. Top with the cheddar cheese and cover to melt or place under the broiler for 3-5 minutes. Serve with fresh lemon juice and additional hot sauce, if desired.
Notes
Even with the hot sauce, this is a milder dish. Feel free to add ground cayenne pepper to the cajun seasoning or more hot sauce.
If you don't have orzo on hand, any rice should work fine as a substitute. You can also use pasta. See my bacon cheeseburger pasta or cheesy ricotta ground turkey pasta for examples.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: about 8 ozAmount Per Serving: Calories: 300Total Fat: 11gCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 25g
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Becca
Tuesday 20th of August 2024
We loved this recipe! Very much a comfort food type meal, which is always a winner in my book! Next time I may add some Ro-tel tomatoes, but I love the little bit of heat, creaminess, and cheesy goodness!
Kerri
Saturday 27th of May 2023
Absolutely Fantastic! We used Chipotle sauce instead of tabasco