Honey Butter Cajun Chicken & Orzo

28 mins
Serves 4
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Directions

  1. 1Season chicken thighs with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, oregano, lemon pepper, smoked paprika, and black pepper.
  2. 2Season chicken thighs with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, oregano, lemon pepper, smoked paprika, and black pepper.
  3. 3Season chicken thighs with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, oregano, lemon pepper, smoked paprika, and black pepper.
  4. 4Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  5. 5Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  6. 6Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  7. 7Sear chicken thighs until golden brown on both sides.
  8. 8Sear chicken thighs until golden brown on both sides.
  9. 9Sear chicken thighs until golden brown on both sides.
  10. 10Lower heat and add butter, honey, and crushed red pepper.
  11. 11Lower heat and add butter, honey, and crushed red pepper.
  12. 12Lower heat and add butter, honey, and crushed red pepper.
  13. 13Baste the chicken until glossy and coated.
  14. 14Baste the chicken until glossy and coated.
  15. 15Baste the chicken until glossy and coated.
  16. 16Reserve about half of the honey butter sauce for later, then remove the chicken and set aside.
  17. 17Reserve about half of the honey butter sauce for later, then remove the chicken and set aside.
  18. 18Reserve about half of the honey butter sauce for later, then remove the chicken and set aside.
  19. 19In the same skillet, sauté onion, celery, and bell peppers until softened.
  20. 20In the same skillet, sauté onion, celery, and bell peppers until softened.
  21. 21In the same skillet, sauté onion, celery, and bell peppers until softened.
  22. 22Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
  23. 23Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
  24. 24Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
  25. 25Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
  26. 26Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
  27. 27Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
  28. 28Stir in orzo along with the adobo seasoning and smoked paprika. Cook for 1–2 minutes.
  29. 29Stir in orzo along with the adobo seasoning and smoked paprika. Cook for 1–2 minutes.
  30. 30Stir in orzo along with the adobo seasoning and smoked paprika. Cook for 1–2 minutes.
  31. 31Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream.
  32. 32Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream.
  33. 33Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream.
  34. 34Add onion powder, cayenne pepper, parsley, thyme, and bay leaves, then stir well.
  35. 35Add onion powder, cayenne pepper, parsley, thyme, and bay leaves, then stir well.
  36. 36Add onion powder, cayenne pepper, parsley, thyme, and bay leaves, then stir well.
  37. 37Cover and simmer for 10–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo begins to absorb the liquid by half its amount.
  38. 38Cover and simmer for 10–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo begins to absorb the liquid by half its amount.
  39. 39Cover and simmer for 10–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo begins to absorb the liquid by half its amount.
  40. 40Add the chicken back to the skillet and continue cooking for 8–10 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and creamy.
  41. 41Add the chicken back to the skillet and continue cooking for 8–10 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and creamy.
  42. 42Add the chicken back to the skillet and continue cooking for 8–10 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and creamy.
  43. 43Remove bay leaves and thyme sprigs.
  44. 44Remove bay leaves and thyme sprigs.
  45. 45Remove bay leaves and thyme sprigs.
  46. 46Drizzle the reserved honey butter sauce over the chicken before serving.
  47. 47Drizzle the reserved honey butter sauce over the chicken before serving.
  48. 48Drizzle the reserved honey butter sauce over the chicken before serving.

Ingredients

  • 4 boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 4 boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 4 boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
  • 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
  • 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 1 tsp lemon pepper
  • 1 tsp lemon pepper
  • 1 tsp lemon pepper
  • 2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 0.5 tsp crushed red pepper
  • 0.5 tsp crushed red pepper
  • 0.5 tsp crushed red pepper
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 1 celery stalk, diced
  • 1 celery stalk, diced
  • 1 celery stalk, diced
  • 0.5 red bell pepper, diced
  • 0.5 red bell pepper, diced
  • 0.5 red bell pepper, diced
  • 0.5 green bell pepper, diced
  • 0.5 green bell pepper, diced
  • 0.5 green bell pepper, diced
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1.5 cups orzo
  • 1.5 cups orzo
  • 1.5 cups orzo
  • 2 tsp adobo seasoning
  • 2 tsp adobo seasoning
  • 2 tsp adobo seasoning
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 3.5 cups chicken broth
  • 3.5 cups chicken broth
  • 3.5 cups chicken broth
  • 0.5 cup heavy cream or coconut milk
  • 0.5 cup heavy cream or coconut milk
  • 0.5 cup heavy cream or coconut milk
  • 2 tsp onion powder
  • 2 tsp onion powder
  • 2 tsp onion powder
  • 0.25 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 0.25 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 0.25 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 tbsp chopped parsley
  • 1 tbsp chopped parsley
  • 1 tbsp chopped parsley
  • 4 sprigs thyme
  • 4 sprigs thyme
  • 4 sprigs thyme
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 bay leaves

Equipment

large skillet

Tips

  • Baste the chicken with the honey butter sauce until glossy and coated.
  • Reserve about half of the honey butter sauce for later.
  • Remove bay leaves and thyme sprigs before serving.
  • Drizzle reserved honey butter sauce over the chicken before serving.