Cajun Chicken and Sausage Orzo

Name: Cajun Chicken and Sausage Orzo
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Cajun-inspired
Ingredients: 1 lb chicken breast; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp onion powder; 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning; 2 tbsp olive oil, divided; 1 lb smoked sausage, sliced; 1 medium onion, diced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1.5 cups orzo pasta; 3 cups chicken broth; 1/2 cup heavy cream; 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese; 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

Cajun Chicken and Sausage Orzo is a creamy one-pan pasta dish combining tender chicken, smoky sausage, and orzo in a bold Cajun-spiced sauce that comes together in under 30 minutes.

🌍Cajun-inspired 🏷️Cajun 🏷️Orzo 🏷️Chicken 🏷️Sausage One-pan

🏷️

🏷️Weeknight dinner

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TikTok

Total

30 min

Servings

4

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$25–$41

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok

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Ingredients

1 lb chicken breast
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
2 tbsp olive oil, divided
1 lb smoked sausage, sliced
1 medium onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1.5 cups orzo pasta
3 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped for garnishoptional

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Instructions

1
Season the chicken breast on both sides with garlic powder, onion powder, and Cajun seasoning.
2
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook until browned on both sides.
3
Add the sliced smoked sausage to the skillet and cook until browned.
4
Once the chicken is cooked through and the sausage is browned, remove both from the skillet and set aside.
5
To the same skillet, add the diced onion (with more olive oil if needed) and sauté until softened and translucent.
6
Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
7
Stir in the orzo pasta and toast for 1-2 minutes.
8
Pour in the chicken broth, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
9
Stir in the heavy cream and shredded Parmesan cheese until the sauce is creamy and the cheese is melted.
10
Chop the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces.
11
Return the chopped chicken and sliced sausage to the skillet. Stir to combine and heat through.
12
Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Slice sausage on a bias (45° angle) for maximum browning surface and better texture integration with the pasta.
Brown chicken and sausage separately before adding aromatics to build fond in the pan—this deepens the Cajun flavor.
Add pasta directly to the broth without pre-cooking to save time and let it absorb seasoning; stir frequently to prevent sticking.
Taste and adjust Cajun seasoning after the broth reduces; acidic ingredients in the seasoning blend mellow as the dish simmers.

Substitutions

Chicken breast → chicken thighs (adds richness; increase cooking time by 2–3 minutes)
Cajun seasoning → 1 tsp paprika + ½ tsp cayenne + ½ tsp garlic powder + ¼ tsp black pepper (homemade blend)
Chicken broth → vegetable broth (milder; adds ½ tsp Worcestershire for depth)
Smoked sausage → andouille sausage (more authentic Cajun heat) or kielbasa (milder)

Storage & make-ahead

Store covered in the refrigerator up to 4 days. Reheat on the stovetop over medium heat with 2–3 tablespoons of broth to restore creaminess.

Common Questions

Can I use a different type of sausage?

Yes. Andouille sausage is most authentic for Cajun flavor, but kielbasa or Italian sausage work well. Avoid fresh sausage—use pre-cooked varieties for this quick recipe.