Description
A quick and flavorful One Pot Cajun Chicken and Rice recipe combining tender chicken, vibrant Cajun spices, and perfectly cooked rice in one skillet. This hearty Southern-inspired dish is perfect for busy weeknights and offers customizable options to suit your taste preferences.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins
- 1 lb boneless chicken thighs or breasts, seasoned with Cajun seasoning
Spices and Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
Grains
- 1 cup long grain white rice, uncooked
Vegetables
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup diced tomatoes (canned or fresh)
- Optional: fresh parsley or green onions, chopped, for garnish
Liquids and Fats
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1–2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
Instructions
- Prep Your Ingredients: Chop the onions, bell peppers, and garlic. Season the chicken pieces generously with Cajun seasoning to ensure full flavor.
- Brown the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or pot over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken pieces on all sides until golden but not fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté the Vegetables: In the same pot, add diced onions, bell peppers, and garlic. Cook until softened and fragrant, then deglaze the pan with a splash of chicken broth to lift the browned bits.
- Add Rice and Liquids: Stir in uncooked rice and diced tomatoes, mixing to coat the rice with flavors. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer.
- Cook Everything Together: Nestle the browned chicken back into the pot. Cover and reduce heat to low. Let simmer gently for 20-25 minutes until rice is cooked and chicken is fully cooked through.
- Finish and Serve: Fluff the rice with a fork and sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley or green onions if desired. Serve hot directly from the pot.
Notes
- Use chicken thighs for juicier, more flavorful results compared to breasts.
- Don’t skip searing the chicken to build layers of flavor and color.
- Measure rice and liquid carefully to avoid mushy or undercooked rice.
- Cover the pot tightly to trap steam and cook rice perfectly.
- Adjust Cajun seasoning amount gradually to control spice level.
- Rinsing rice is optional but can help prevent clumping.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern, Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg