Cajun Chicken and Rice — One of Our Favorite Cajun Food Recipes! (2024)

ThisCajun Chicken and Riceis a quick and easy weeknight dinner that is packed with flavor!! Chicken, rice, and traditional cajun food ingredients all come together in this quick and easy recipe. It is definitely one of our favorite cajun recipes. It’s perfect for busy weeknights!

Cajun Chicken and Rice — One of Our Favorite Cajun Food Recipes! (2)

We love thisCajun Chicken and Rice recipe. It’s so flavorful and filling — Perfect for a hungry family!

Cajun Chicken and Rice Ingredients

You only need 6 ingredients for this easy Cajun Chicken and Rice recipe!

Start by making the rice. Combine 1 cup rice, 2 cups water, and 1 teaspoon salt in a saucepan, then bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 14 minutes.

Delicious Rice Tip for Cajun Food:

You can use chicken broth in place of the water, or throw in a chicken bouilloncube for extra flavor. It really adds a TON of flavor to the rice!

How to Make Cajun Chicken and Rice (Step by Step)

While the rice is cooking, take about one pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts and chop into 1-inch cubes. Season generously with your favorite Cajun seasoning or Creole seasoning.

Next, add olive oil to a large pot or dutch oven over medium-high heat.

When the oil is very hot, add the chicken in a single layer. Brown on one side, about 2-3 minutes, then flip and brown on the other side.

When the chicken is browned on both sides, remove to a plate and set aside.

We have some fabulous browning and flavoring going on in this pan!! Now for the veggies. If needed, add a little more olive oil to the pan…

Increase the heat to high, and when the oil is hot, carefully add the diced onions and bell peppers. I LOVE using a package of frozen diced onions and bell peppers for this. You don’t even have to thaw them first. It’s so easy to always keep veggies on hand, and I don’t have to chop them myself! If you’d prefer to use fresh veggies, dice 1 onion and 3 bell peppers.

Add a bit more cajun seasoning, and cook the veggies, stirring occasionally, until softened and browned around the edges.

When the veggies are done, add the tomatoes, then add the chicken back in, along with any juices that may have collected on the plate.

Add the cooked rice…

And stir until well combined. That’s it!! This Cajun Chicken and Rice recipe is a totally quick and easy dinner!! And look at all those cajun food flavors!!

Optional Addition:

To add a little cheesy goodness to this chicken and rice (and to tone down the spice a bit) at this point you can add 1 cup shredded cheese. Stir well to combine.

Cajun Chicken and Rice — One of Our Favorite Cajun Food Recipes! (16)

This easyCajun Chicken and Rice recipeis SUCH a great quick and easy meal that is sure to be a hit!It will definitely spice up your dinner rotation.

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Cajun Chicken and Rice — One of Our Favorite Cajun Food Recipes! (17)

Easy Cajun Chicken and Rice Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 29 reviews

  • Cajun Chicken and Rice — One of Our Favorite Cajun Food Recipes! (18) Prep Time: 5
  • Cajun Chicken and Rice — One of Our Favorite Cajun Food Recipes! (19) Cook Time: 25
  • Cajun Chicken and Rice — One of Our Favorite Cajun Food Recipes! (20) Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Cajun Chicken and Rice — One of Our Favorite Cajun Food Recipes! (21) Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Cajun Chicken and Rice — One of Our Favorite Cajun Food Recipes! (22) Category: Dinner
  • Cajun Chicken and Rice — One of Our Favorite Cajun Food Recipes! (23) Cuisine: Cajun

Description

Easy cajun chicken and rice recipe.

Scale

Ingredients

  • 1 cup uncooked rice
  • 2 cups water or chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • Cajun or Creole Seasoning
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 cups diced onions and bell peppers
  • 1 (10-oz) can Ro-Tel Diced Tomatoes and Green Chiles
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

  1. Combine rice, water (or broth) and salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 14 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside when done. Keep covered.
  2. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces, about 1-inch cubes. Season generously with cajun seasoning. Add one tablespoon of the olive oil to a large pot or dutch oven over medium-high heat. When the oil is very hot, add the chicken in a single layer. Brown on one side, about 2-3 minutes, then flip and brown on the other side. Remove chicken to a plate and set aside.
  3. Add the remaining olive oil to the pan, increase heat to high, and when the oil is hot, carefully add the onions and bell peppers. Add more seasoning and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened and browned.
  4. Add the tomatoes to the onions and bell peppers, then add the chicken back in, along with any juices that may have collected on the plate. Add the cooked rice and stir until well combined. Add the cheese if desired and stir well to combine

More Easy Chicken and Rice Recipes

  • Cheesy Broccoli Chicken and Rice with Bacon
  • Southwestern Fiesta Chicken and Rice
  • Salsa Verde Chicken and Rice

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Cajun Chicken and Rice — One of Our Favorite Cajun Food Recipes! (2024)

FAQs

What is Cajun chicken made of? ›

The ingredients used can vary widely; our version uses a simple combination of paprika, cayenne pepper, onion flakes and thyme, but you could also add in garlic powder, oregano, black pepper and chilli powder, amongst other spices.

What to add to chicken and rice for flavor? ›

Slice up baby carrots, peel then chop a couple large carrots, or go the easy route and use shredded carrots. Homemade seasoned salt. My four ingredient, homemade seasoned salt is responsible for adding a ton of flavor to this recipe. It's a simple yet effective combo of salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.

Is Cajun 2 Step good on chicken? ›

It goes on anything and everything! From seafood to chicken, nuggets, burgers and fries. This dip is MONEY DUDE! THE PERFECT GIFT: Ideal for all chefs and home cooks who want to add Creole flavors to their favorite dishes.

What is cajun seasoning made of? ›

What Is In Cajun Spice Mix? Typical Cajun seasonings (including store-bought like Slap Ya Mama and Tony Chachere's) are made with black pepper, white pepper, cayenne pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika. For different flavors, some Cajun spice mixes include salt, mustard powder, chile peppers, or cumin.

What are the main ingredients in Cajun food? ›

Crawfish, shrimp, and andouille sausage are staple meats used in a variety of dishes. The aromatic vegetables green bell pepper (piment doux), onion, and celery are called "the trinity" by chefs in Cajun and Louisiana Creole cuisines.

Is Cajun food black food? ›

Folklorist Barry Jean Ancelet and others discuss the significance of the region's cuisine in Cajun Country: Like their music, language, architecture, and the Cajuns themselves, Cajun cooking is a hybrid, a blend of French, Acadian, Spanish, German, Anglo-American, Afro-Caribbean, and Native American influences.

How to jazz up chicken and rice? ›

Soak rice in chicken broth. Toss in spices/ seasonings, small white onion. Then add some veggies to your chicken. Peppers, broccoli etc.

How to make chicken and rice not so dry? ›

Bake for 15-18 minutes or until rice is tender. When you remove the rice from the oven, there should be a little liquid that hasn't been absorbed yet; if your rice is on the drier side, add 1/4-½ cup warmed chicken broth. Stir in 2 tablespoons cubed butter (optional) and Parmesan Cheese.

What seasoning makes rice taste better? ›

You can season your rice with a variety of herbs, spices, broths, milks or sauces. If you prefer a Mediterranean flavor profile, cook your rice using chicken broth, lemon juice, garlic and onion. For a rich and creamy rice dish with a kick, cook the rice in coconut milk infused with spicy peppers.

Why is it called Cajun chicken? ›

Cajun cuisine is highly regional. The word itself came from the place these people were first located in Canada, Acadiana. The British were suspect of their loyalties and moved them all around, including southern Louisiana.

What makes Cajun food good? ›

Cajun cuisine is known for its bold and spicy flavors. The heat from ingredients like cayenne pepper and hot sauces can be especially appealing in the fall when people are looking for dishes that warm them up from the inside. The spiciness of Cajun food can also help combat the cooler temperatures.

What are the three ingredients of Cajun? ›

The "holy trinity" in Cajun cuisine and Louisiana Creole cuisine is the base for several dishes in the regional cuisines of Louisiana and consists of onions, bell peppers and celery. The preparation of Cajun/Creole dishes such as crawfish étouffée, gumbo, and jambalaya all start from this base.

Is Cajun seasoning the same as Old Bay? ›

In a word: No. While Cajun seasoning comes in many varieties, Old Bay is a specific brand, though you can make our Old Bay copycat recipe at home.

What is the best substitute for Cajun seasoning? ›

If you're in the middle of a Master Chef moment but you just ran out of your favorite Cajun seasoning blend, you can easily substitute a combination of cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and paprika to achieve an “I-can't-believe-it's-not-Cajun” experience.

Is Cajun seasoning hot or spicy? ›

Since—as mentioned above—Cajun seasoning is basically just a blend of cayenne pepper and garlic, Cajun flavor is most often described as equal parts bold and spicy (from the pepper) and earthy (from the garlic).

What does Cajun sauce contain? ›

Just look at the ingredients. Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic powder, tomato paste, and hot sauce, all blended into a creamy tangy mayo base. How could it not be delicious? Cajun sauce is super easy to make.

What meat is Cajun? ›

When it comes to the meat used in Cajun cuisine, you'll find that Cajun cooking relies heavily on showcasing pork, fish, seafood, and shellfish. And although most of these meats are now raised and produced locally or commercially, wild-catch fish and game, a hallmark of many a Cajun dish, can still be found.

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