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    Home » main course

    Cajun Orzo Chickpeas (6 ingredients, 1 pot)

    Published: Jul 29, 2023 by Richa 9 Comments

    Jump to Recipe   Print Recipe
    bowl of cajun orzo chickpeas, text overlay
    bowl of vegan cajun orzo next to the pan
    image collage showing cajun orzo chickpeas in the bowl and in the pan, text overlay
    close-up of cajun orzo in a bowl
    cajun orzo chickpeas in the pan after cooking with fresh herbs and onion on top

    1 pan 6 Ingredient Cajun orzo chickpeas are a satisfying weeknight meal that’s packed with flavor and ready in 20 mins! Tender orzo goes so well with hearty chickpeas and lots of deep, Cajun spices.

    cajun orzo chickpeas in the pan after cooking with fresh herbs and onion on top
    Table of Contents
    • Why You’ll Love Cajun Orzo Chickpeas
    • More Vegan Cajun-Inspired Recipes
    • Recipe Card
    • Ingredients and Substitutions
    • Tips
    • How to Make Cajun Orzo Chickpeas
    • Frequently Asked Questions

    This is a super quick recipe to make on busy days. It’s almost a dump and done. Everything comes together in 1 skillet with just 6 ingredients for easy prep and cleanup.

    Cajun orzo chickpeas only need five simple ingredients to make, not counting salt and water.

    You can add in spinach or other vegetables, as you like. You can also add in extra spices, like oregano, thyme, and paprika, to boost the flavor even more. 

    bowl of vegan cajun orzo next to the pan

    Why You’ll Love Cajun Orzo Chickpeas

    • quick and easy, 5-ingredient recipe
    • one pan meal
    • packed with amazing Cajun flavors!
    • soy-free and nut-free with gluten-free option
    close-up of cajun orzo in a bowl

    More Vegan Cajun-Inspired Recipes

    • Cajun Dirty Rice
    • Creamy Cajun Pasta
    • Cajun Roasted Cauliflower Steaks
    • Cajun Roasted Vegetable Bowl
    • Garlic Pasta with Cajun Cauliflower

    Recipe Card

    cajun orzo chickpeas in the pan after cooking with fresh herbs and onion on top
    Print Recipe
    5 from 6 votes

    Cajun Orzo Chickpeas

    1 pan 6 Ingredient Cajun orzo chickpeas are a satisfying weeknight meal that’s packed with flavor, and ready in 20 minutes. Tender orzo goes so well with hearty chickpeas and lots of deep, Cajun spices..
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Cook Time20 minutes mins
    Total Time30 minutes mins
    Course: Main
    Cuisine: cajun
    Keyword: cajun orzo, cajun orzo chickpeas
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 265kcal
    Author: Vegan Richa

    Ingredients

    • 1/2 cup (80 g) chopped onion
    • 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste or use minced ginger and garlic or just garlic, if you don’t like ginger
    • 2 teaspoons Cajun spice blend
    • 2 tablespoons ketchup or 1 tablespoon tomato paste
    • 1 1/2 cup (354.88 ml) water or broth or a mix of coconut milk and water
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt
    • 15 ounce (425.24 g) cans of chickpeas drained, or use 1 1/2 cups of cooked chickpeas
    • 1/2 cup (75 g) dry orzo

    Optional Additions

    • 1 cup (182 g) vegetables of choice or 1/2 cup of frozen spinach
    • 1 teaspoon of thyme
    • 1 teaspoon oregano
    • 1 teaspoon paprika

    Instructions

    • Heat 2 teaspoons of oil or 2 tablespoons broth in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and a good pinch of salt, and cook until the onion is translucent. Add splashes of water to help onion cook evenly.
    • Then add in the ginger-garlic paste, the Cajun spices, and ketchup and mix really well for a few seconds. Add veggies if using at this point and cook for a minute. Mix in the broth and salt, and bring to a boil, then mix the chickpeas and orzo.
    • Cover with the lid, and and continue to cook for 7 to 10 minutes, depending on your stove and your pan. Check in at the 7 or 8 minute mark, mix well, close the lid and continue to cook, if needed. If you like it to be saucier, you can add in 1/4 cup or more coconut milk.
      Taste and adjust salt and flavor. Add more Cajun, tang or herbs if needed.
    • Once done, let the cajun orzo sit, covered, for another 2 mins or more for flavors to meld and settle(spices take time to infuse freshly cooked pasta), then mix well and transfer to your serving bowls. Garnish with onions, cilantro, and some lime juice and serve.

    Notes

    This recipe is naturally soy-free and nut-free. Use gluten-free orzo for a gluten-free option.
    Nutritional information doesn’t include optional ingredients.

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Cajun Orzo Chickpeas
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 265 Calories from Fat 27
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 3g5%
    Saturated Fat 0.4g3%
    Sodium 374mg16%
    Potassium 424mg12%
    Carbohydrates 48g16%
    Fiber 9g38%
    Sugar 8g9%
    Protein 12g24%
    Vitamin A 560IU11%
    Vitamin C 3mg4%
    Calcium 67mg7%
    Iron 4mg22%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    orzo, chickpeas, cajun spices, tomato paste, and garlic in cups on a kitchen counter

    Ingredients and Substitutions

    1. onion – Use red or white onion for this recipe.
    2. ginger-garlic paste – You can use minced fresh ginger and garlic or just garlic instead, if you want.
    3. Cajun spice blend – You can buy it premade or make homemade Cajun spice blend with my recipe!
    4. ketchup – Adds richness and umami. You can substitute tomato paste.
    5. chickpeas – Use canned or cooked, drained chickpeas.
    6. orzo – Use regular or gluten-free orzo.

    Tips

    • You can stick to just the ingredient above, plus water and salt, or add veggies of your choice and more flavor with dried thyme, oregano, and paprika.
    • For saucier Cajun orzo, add some coconut milk after the orzo finishes cooking but before letting the pan rest.
    • Speaking of letting the pan rest! Don’t skip this step. It allows the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly before serving.

    How to Make Cajun Orzo Chickpeas

    Heat two teaspoons of oil or some broth in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and a good pinch of salt, and cook until the onion is translucent.

    onion in the pan before cooking

    Then add in the ginger-garlic paste, the Cajun spices, and ketchup and mix really well for a few seconds.

    adding ketchup and ginger-garlic paste to the cooked onion in the pan
    adding cajun spices to the cooked onion mixture

    Mix in the broth and salt, and bring to a boil, then mix the chickpeas and orzo.


    adding chickpeas to the pan
    adding orzo and broth to the pan

    Cover with the lid, and and continue to cook for seven to 10 minutes, depending on your stove and your pan. Check in at the seven or eight minute mark, mix well, close the lid and continue to cook, if needed.

    If you want it saucier, you can add in another quarter cup of water or some coconut milk at this point.

    cajun orzo chickpeas in the pan after cooking

    Once done, let the cajun orzo sit, covered, for another minute or two, then mix well and transfer to your serving bowls. Garnish with onions, cilantro, and some lime juice and serve.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is this recipe allergy friendly?

    This recipe is naturally soy-free and nut-free. Use gluten-free orzo for a gluten-free option.

    Is orzo rice or pasta?

    Orzo is actually a rice-shaped pasta.

    Can I make this without oil?

    Yes sauté in 2-3 tbsp broth instead

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    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If you Love the Recipe, Please consider rating it using stars in comments! It helps readers and helps more people find the recipe online! I love hearing from you all! ⭐⭐⭐⭐

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    1. Dave

      August 30, 2023 at 11:23 am

      5 stars
      When I first tasted this as it finished cooking, I was like, “meh.” Then I let it sit for a few minutes, and, wow, what a shocking difference it made! Ended up sad that I didn’t make a double-batch!

      Note to others: check to see if your Cajun seasoning already has salt in it. Mine does, so I omitted the 1/2 teaspoon of salt, which would’ve been way too much. Great with a little dollop of (vegan) sour cream on top!

      Reply
      • Richa

        August 30, 2023 at 11:36 am

        Yes let the spices bloom !:)

        Reply
    2. Elise Giarimoustas

      August 01, 2023 at 6:32 pm

      5 stars
      Haven’t tried yet but can tell this is a super recipe. This is the way I cook with Indian, British, Greek and Latin spices and recipes combined.

      Reply
      • Richa

        August 02, 2023 at 12:31 am

        ❤️❤️

        Reply
    3. Kelly Stevens

      July 31, 2023 at 3:41 pm

      5 stars
      Made this tonight for dinner. It was really tasty and so simple to make. I added red bell pepper and zucchini as that’s what I had in the fridge. I used the combo of water and coconut milk. Will definitely be using this recipe again! Thanks Richa!

      Reply
      • Richa

        July 31, 2023 at 11:10 pm

        Awesome

        Reply
    4. Vivek Garg

      July 30, 2023 at 11:08 pm

      5 stars
      yum

      Reply
    5. Pat

      July 29, 2023 at 5:10 am

      This looks good and easy. I have a question. As I have whole grain orzo, should cooking time be increased and if so, at what point in the recipe?
      Thanks

      Reply
      • Richa

        July 31, 2023 at 11:04 am

        After adding the orzo and broth. Just keep cooking until tender to preference, the whole grain orzo might need a few tbsp more liquid, so add it when you check at 10 min mark and it’s too dry

        Reply

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