Why I Love This Recipe

If comfort food and Cajun flavors had a baby, it would be this recipe. Every spoonful is creamy, a little smoky, perfectly seasoned, and packed with bites of chicken sausage, tender peppers, and cheesy orzo. The fact that it all comes together in one pot is just the bonus. This is the kind of dinner that somehow feels cozy enough for a rainy night but exciting enough that nobody’s asking, “What’s for dinner?” halfway through cooking.

Enjoying The Leftovers

The orzo gets even creamier after a night in the fridge, making this one of those meals that’s just as good for lunch the next day. I usually make a little extra on purpose because the leftovers never last long.

Storing

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. As the orzo sits, it will continue soaking up some of the sauce, which is completely normal.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave with a splash of chicken broth or milk to loosen the sauce. Stir well, then finish with an extra handful of parmesan and a sprinkle of fresh parsley if you have some on hand.

A bowl of cajun chicken sausage with bell peppers, fire roasted tomatoes over orzo topped with chopped green onions.
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Creamy Cajun Chicken Orzo

Creamy pasta lovers, this one's for you. This Creamy Cajun Chicken Orzo is packed with smoky chicken sausage, tender vegetables, parmesan, and bold Cajun flavor in a rich, velvety sauce. It's an easy one-pot dinner that delivers big flavor with very little cleanup.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
US M
Servings 6

Ingredients

  • 2 packs applewood smoked chicken sausage, sliced
  • 1 tbsp avocado oil
  • 1 1/4 cup orzo pasta
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 small red onion, chopped
  • 3 tsp cajun seasoning
  • 2 cups chicken stock
  • 1, 14 oz can fire-roasted crushed tomatoes
  • 1 tbsp minced garlic
  • 1 cup half and half
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • Topped with fresh parmesan & green onions
US – M

Instructions

  • In a large pot or Dutch oven, add 1 tbsp avocado oil on medium-high heat.
  • Slice the sausage into pieces and add to the pan. These are already cooked but we are just going to brown them for about 5-7min. Stirring every few min!
  • Once the sausage is crispy, add in the chopped veggies and cajun seasoning. Mix until the seasoning is well incorporated.
  • Sauté for about 3-4 minutes until the veggies are slightly tender. Then add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 more minutes.
  • Add in the chicken stock, half and half, the can of crushed tomatoes, and the orzo. Mix well.
  • Turn on high and bring to a boil. Cook for about 9-11 min stirring every few minutes so that the orzo is properly cooked. Make sure to stir; otherwise, the orzo will stick to the bottom!
  • By the end, the pasta will have soaked up the liquid, and the sauce will have thickened.
  • Finally, add 1/2 cup of fresh parmesan cheese and stir. Salt & pepper to taste.
  • Top with fresh parmesan and sliced green onions. Enjoy!

Equipment

cutting board
measuring cups
dutch oven

Nutrition Per Serving

Calories: 338kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 15g | Fiber: 3g