Creamy Cajun Chicken & Corn Orzo

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken (Cut into bite-size pieces; the source does not specify the exact cut.)
• olive oil (A little, for seasoning and browning the chicken; amount not stated.)
• Cajun seasoning (A little, to season the chicken and again before simmering; amount not stated.)
• black pepper (A little, to season the chicken; amount not stated.)
• smoked paprika (Amount not stated.)
• butter (Added after removing the chicken; amount not stated.)
• onion (Diced; amount not stated.)
• garlic (Amount not stated.)
• dry orzo (Amount not stated.)
• broth (Amount not stated.)
• 1 can cream-style corn (One can; can size is not stated.)
• 0.5 cup frozen corn (The transcript specifies one-half cup.)
• Parmesan cheese (Stirred into the orzo and used as an additional topping; amount not stated.)
• heavy cream (A splash, stirred in at the end; amount not stated.)
• bacon (Cooked until crispy and used as a topping; amount not stated.)
• green onions (Used as a topping; amount not stated.)

Steps

1. 1

   Season the chicken with a little olive oil, Cajun seasoning, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Mix well so the pieces are evenly coated.

2. 2

   Brown the seasoned chicken in a suitable large pot or skillet. When it has a nice browned color, remove it from the pot and set it aside, keeping the browned juices in the pan.

3. 3

   Add butter to the same pot.

4. 4

   Add the diced onion and cook until it is soft.

5. 5

   Stir in the garlic and cook it with the softened onion.

6. 6

   Add the dry orzo and toast it for a couple of minutes, stirring so it does not scorch.

7. 7

   Pour in the broth.

8. 8

   Add the cream-style corn, frozen corn, browned chicken, and all of the chicken's accumulated juices.

9. 9

   Season the mixture once more with the Cajun seasoning and other seasonings as desired; the source does not specify the second-seasoning quantities.

10. 10

    Bring the mixture to a simmer.

11. 11

    Lower the heat, cover the pot, and cook for about 10 minutes.

12. 12

    Check that the orzo is tender.

13. 13

    Stir in the Parmesan cheese and a splash of heavy cream. Mix thoroughly until the orzo is creamy and the ingredients are combined.

14. 14

    Top the finished orzo with crispy bacon, green onions, and a little extra Parmesan.

Notes

The transcript provides only one exact quantity: 1/2 cup frozen corn; it does not specify quantities for most ingredients, the chicken cut, the cream-style corn can size, or the amount of bacon. It also does not state the exact browning time, heat level, or how the bacon is cooked before topping.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• one-pot
• pasta
• comfort food
• Cajun-inspired
• chicken
• cheesy
• weeknight dinner