One pot orzo with cajun chicken sausage and spinach is one of those dishes you will make repeatedly. If you love cajun or spicier dishes, then this one is for you. It’s such an easy dish that makes it a perfect weeknight dinner. Filled with yummy cajun chicken sausage, spinach and a little bit of parmesan cheese it has so many layers of flavors it will have your tastebuds singing. If you one-pot meals your jam then you may also like this cajun shrimp and sausage one skillet meal or this easy cheesy turkey taco bake.
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Growing up with my mom from Louisiana meant our household was steeped in the rich culinary traditions of Cajun and Creole cuisine. The flavors are wonderfully spicy, bold, and distinctive, creating a robust combination that I absolutely adore. This one-pot orzo dish is no different as it combines those same flavor combinations into one amazing meal with a ton of flavor.
WHAT IS CAJUN CHICKEN SAUSAGE ONE POT ORZO
Cajun chicken sausage one-pot orzo is a flavorful dish that combines Cajun-spiced chicken sausage with orzo pasta, cooked together in one pot along with other ingredients like spinach, onions, and cheese.
WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS ONE POT DISH
- Flavor Explosion: The dish combines Cajun spices with savory chicken sausage, creating a burst of bold and spicy flavors in every bite.
- Convenient One-Pot Meal: It’s easy to prepare and requires minimal cleanup since everything cooks together in one pot, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- Hearty and Filling: The orzo pasta and chicken sausage make it a satisfying meal, while spinach adds a nutritious boost.
- Versatile: You can customize the recipe with additional vegetables or adjust the spice level to suit your taste preferences.
- Family-Friendly: It’s a dish that both adults and kids tend to enjoy, thanks to its comforting flavors and textures.
- All-in-One Dish: Perfect for serving as a main dish, minimizing the need for additional side dishes.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED FOR ONE POT ORZO
Main ingredients for the one pot orzo are:
- Orzo: The type of pasta use is orzo. Orzo is a short grain pasta that resembles a grain of rice. It has a firm texture when cooked and absorbs flavors well.
- Chicken sausage: A cajun chicken sausage is used for this dish. It has less fat than traditional pork sausage but still packs much flavor. My favorite one is Alfresco Smoked Andouille Chicken Sausage.
- Spinach: Fresh spinach is a great way to sneak in some extra veggies that are healthy and nutritious.
- Onions: Part of the holy trinity yellow onion, when cooked, are slightly sweet.
- Garlic: An aromatic that brings depth of flavor
- Parmesan cheese: Parmesan cheese is slightly nutty in flavor and brings the perfect creaminess to the dish.
- Spice blend: a blend of paprika, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, red pepper flakes
Wet Ingredients are:
- Chicken Broth: Chicken broth or chicken stock adds a depth of flavor to this easy meal
- Milk: I used 2% low fat milk to keep it on the healthier side however you can substitute for heavy cream or half and half if you prefer
- Olive oil: Just a drizzle of oil is used to sauté the veggies
TOP TIPS FOR COOKING
Choose the Right Sausage: Opt for fully cooked Cajun-style chicken sausage for convenience and flavor. You can also use other types of sausage like andouille for a more traditional Cajun taste.
Sear the Sausage: Brown the sliced sausage in the pot before adding other ingredients. This step caramelizes the sausage and enhances its flavor.
Sauté Aromatics: Start by sautéing onions, garlic, and bell peppers in oil or butter until they are softened and fragrant. This creates a flavorful base for your dish.
Toast the Orzo: Toasting the orzo in the pot before adding liquid can enhance its nutty flavor. Stir constantly to prevent burning.
Use Chicken Broth: Use chicken broth instead of water to cook the orzo. This adds richness and depth of flavor to the dish. You can also use vegetable broth as well.
Add Spinach Towards the End: Add fresh spinach leaves during the last few minutes of cooking. This ensures they wilt gently without overcooking, preserving their bright green color and nutrients.
Adjust Seasonings: Taste and adjust the seasoning towards the end of cooking. You may want to add more Cajun seasoning, salt, or pepper to suit your taste preferences.
HOW TO COOK ONE-POT PASTA
Full recipe details including ingredient amounts are listed in the recipe card below.
First prep all of your ingredients by dicing the onions, mincing the garlic, slicing the chicken sausage and roughly chopping the spinach.
Bring a large non-stick skillet or dutch oven to medium heat. Add the olive oil and allow to heat through. Once heated, add the diced onions and cook until they start to soften about 3-5 minutes. Next add the garlic and cook another 2-3 minutes.
Add the chicken sausage and allow to brown on both sides cooking for 5-7 minutes.
Next add the cup of orzo and stir to toast.
Add the chicken stock and the seasoning blend and stir to combine ensuring to scrap the bottom of the pot to release any brown bits. Bring the stock to a boil then reduce heat to low.
Cover the skillet and allow the orzo to simmer for approximately 20 minutes. As the orzo cooks, stir occasionally to ensure it does not stick to the pan.
Once the orzo is al dente, stir in the milk, spinach and parmesan cheese. Cook for an additional 5 minutes or until the creamy sauce is thickened.
Remove the pasta dish from the heat and optional top with fresh herbs like parsley, or fresh basil.
ADDITIONS AND SUBSTITUTIONS
- Protein: additional protein can be added or used as a substitution like chicken breast or shrimp.
- Vegetables: Substitute the spinach for other veggies like broccoli or baby kale. Or add some additional color with red peppers, sun-dried tomatoes or grape tomatoes.
- Cheese: Switch out the cheese for mozzerella or goat cheese for a slightly tangier flavor.
FAQ’s
Yes, you can customize Cajun chicken sausage one-pot orzo by adding different vegetables like tomatoes or mushrooms, adjusting the spice level to your preference, or incorporating different types of sausage or protein.
It can be spicy depending on the amount of Cajun seasoning and spices used. Adjust the spice level by reducing or increasing the amount of cayenne pepper or other spicy ingredients.
Yes, it’s a great dish for meal prep as it reheats well. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to several days.
Cajun Chicken Sausage and Spinach Orzo
Equipment
- 1 Non-Stick Skillet
- 1 Cutting Board
- 1 Knife
- 1 Measuring Cup
Ingredients
- 1 cup Orzo dry
- 1 pkg Chicken Sausage sliced
- 1 cup Spinch fresh & chopped
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese shredded
- 1/2 cup Onions diced
- 1/2 tsp Garlic minched
- 2 cups Chicken Stock or chicken broth
- 1/3 cup Milk
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- 1/2 tsp Garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp Onion powder
- 1/4 tsp Oregeno
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper
- 1/4 tsp Paprika
- 1/8 tsp Red pepper flakes
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- First prep all of your ingredients by dicing the onions, mincing the garlic, slicing the chicken sausage and roughly chopping the spinach.
- Bring a large non-stick skillet or dutch oven to medium heat. Add the olive oil and allow to heat through. Once heated, add the diced onions and cook until they start to soften about 3-5 minutes. Next add the garlic and cook another 2-3 minutes.
- Add the chicken sausage and allow to brown on both sides cooking for 5-7 minutes. Next add the cup of orzo and stir to brown.
- Add the chicken stock and the seasoning blend and stir to combine ensuring to scrap the bottom of the pot to release any brown bits. Bring the stock to a boil then reduce heat to low.
- Cover the skillet and allow the orzo to simmer for approximately 20 minutes. As the orzo cooks, stir occasionally to ensure it does not stick to the pan.
- Once the orzo is al dente, stir in the milk, spinach and parmesan cheese. Cook for an additional 5 minutes or until the creamy sauce is thickened.
- Remove the pasta dish from the heat and optional top with fresh herbs like parsley, or fresh basil.
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