Honey Butter Cajun Chicken & Orzo

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp lemon pepper
• 2 tsp smoked paprika (For seasoning the chicken)
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 3 tbsp butter (Honey butter sauce)
• 1 tbsp honey (Honey butter sauce)
• 0.5 tsp crushed red pepper (Honey butter sauce)
• 1 small onion (Diced)
• 1 celery stalk (Diced)
• 0.5 red bell pepper (Diced)
• 0.5 green bell pepper (Diced)
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 4 cloves garlic (Minced)
• 1.5 cup orzo
• 2 tsp adobo seasoning
• 1 tsp smoked paprika (For the orzo)
• 3.5 cup chicken broth
• 0.5 cup heavy cream or coconut milk (Use either heavy cream or coconut milk)
• 2 tsp onion powder
• 0.25 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tbsp parsley (Chopped)
• 4 thyme sprigs (Fresh)
• 2 bay leaves

Steps

1. 1

   Season the chicken thighs on all sides with the Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, oregano, lemon pepper, 2 teaspoons of the smoked paprika, and black pepper.

2. 2

   Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and sear until golden brown on both sides.

3. 3

   Lower the heat. Add the butter, honey, and crushed red pepper to the skillet, then baste the chicken until glossy and coated.

4. 4

   Reserve about half of the honey butter sauce for serving. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.

5. 5

   In the same skillet, sauté the onion, celery, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper until softened.

6. 6

   Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.

7. 7

   Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.

8. 8

   Stir in the orzo, adobo seasoning, and remaining 1 teaspoon smoked paprika. Cook for 1–2 minutes.

9. 9

   Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream or coconut milk. Add the onion powder, cayenne pepper, parsley, thyme sprigs, and bay leaves, then stir well.

10. 10

    Cover the skillet and simmer for 10–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo has absorbed about half the liquid.

11. 11

    Return the chicken to the skillet and continue cooking for 8–10 minutes, until the orzo is tender and creamy.

12. 12

    Remove and discard the bay leaves and thyme sprigs. Drizzle the reserved honey butter sauce over the chicken before serving.

Notes

The source lists either heavy cream or coconut milk; the nutrition estimate for that alternative ingredient assumes heavy cream. The source does not specify the skillet size or exact chicken searing time.

Nutrition per serving

• dinner
• one-pan
• Cajun-inspired
• comfort food
• stovetop
• poultry
• gluten-containing
• creamy