Easy Cajun Chicken and Rice – A One-Skillet Recipe…

Easy Cajun Chicken and Rice is a one-pan meal with a tasty blend of Cajun seasonings, fresh vegetables, and flavor-filled rice. The spices and herbs add the perfect amount of flavor plus a spicy kick to the chicken and rice. Yummm!

Our daughter LOVES Cajun food and this is one of her most requested recipes! We hope you enjoy it too.

What do you need to make this easy Cajun Chicken and Rice Recipe?

This easy Cajun cuisine recipe is a one-pot meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. It’s made with fresh vegetables, whole grains, juicy chicken, a little Cajun spice, and a ton of flavor!

Here’s your ingredient list for the grocery store:

• Skinless, boneless chicken breasts and chicken thighs, 1 pound chicken – cubed
• Vegetable oil or olive oil, 2 tablespoons oil (for browning the chicken)
• Kosher salt + black pepper, to taste
• Butter, 2 tablespoons butter
• Olive oil, 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Onion, 1 large diced onion (white or yellow onion )
• Garlic, 3 fresh cloves garlic, minced
• Long grain white rice, 1 cup rice (you can also substitute for brown rice, red rice, wild rice, or jasmine rice)
• Rotel Diced Tomatoes and Green Chilies, 1 10-ounce can
• Bell pepper, 1 cup diced bell peppers (red, yellow, or green bell pepper – your choice)
• Cajun spice, 2 tablespoons Cajun spice (or Creole seasoning – see recipe below for an easy homemade blend of spices and herb!)
• Cumin, 1 teaspoon cumin
• Cayenne pepper, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Chicken broth, 3 cups chicken broth (or chicken stock)
• Bay leaves, 2 to 3 bay leaves (fresh or dried)

Try this easy homemade cajun seasoning recipe …

This is a super easy blend of spices and herbs that you most likely have in your pantry so no need to buy something special for this dish. This spice mixture will make enough for you to use in this cajun chicken recipe but also to have extra to store for you to use on other meats, seafood, and vegetables … or other Cajun recipes.

This seasoning blend tastes amazing sprinkled on a sheet pan of veggies, potatoes, and chicken!

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Smoked paprika – 3 tablespoons smoked paprika
• Garlic powder – 2 tablespoons garlic powder
• Kosher salt – 2 tablespoons kosher salt
• Black pepper – 1 1/2 tablespoons black pepper
• Cayenne pepper – 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
• Oregano – 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• Onion powder – 1 tablespoon onion powder
• Basil – 1/2 tablespoon dried basil
• Thyme – 2 teaspoons dried thyme
• Red pepper flakes – 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Combine all of the spices and herbs and mix well. Use immediately and store the remaining blend in a sealed container and it will be good for up to a year in your pantry.

What’s the difference between Cajun Seasoning and Creole Spice?

Cajun seasoning and Creole spice are very similar and use pretty much all the same ingredients. However, Cajun seasoning tends to have a little more of a spice kick to it. But, by making your own homemade seasoning, you can control how much heat and spice you’d like in your blend.

How do you make Cajun Chicken and Rice?

Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large (cast-iron) skillet over medium-high heat. Add the cubed chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and brown the meat until it is cooked through.

Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a separate plate.

Heat 1 tablespoon oil and 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat in the same skillet. As the butter melts add in the onions, cooking until softened. Then stir in the minced garlic.

Add the rice to the skillet. Stir to toast the rice over low to medium heat for about 4 minutes.

Stir in the Rotel Diced Tomatoes and Green Chilies, chopped bell pepper, Cajun seasoning, cumin, and cayenne pepper (optional). Combine well.

Stir in the chicken broth and bay leaves. Cover the skillet with a lid and cook the mixture until the rice is almost done; about 20 minutes*. The rice texture should still be slightly firm, not quite to the softening point.

RECIPE NOTE: *Cook time will vary based on the type of rice used. Check your package instructions.

Transfer the browned Cajun chicken back to the skillet. Mix well into the mixture. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for an additional 7 to 10 minutes or until the rice has finished cooking.

Test the Cajun rice mixture and sauce to adjust for cook times and additional seasoning, if needed. Remove from heat. Then return the lid to the skillet and allow the dish to sit undisturbed for about 10 minutes.

Remove the bay leaves.

Fluff with a fork prior to serving.

What to serve with Cajun Chicken?

Some great side dish options include:

• French bread goes with just about everything! * Sprinkle a little Cajun seasoning over the top!
• Black beans
• Cajun spice corn on the cob
• Try this highly-rated Hush Puppies Recipe from Small Town Woman
• Additional fresh veggies
• You can also substitute andouille sausage or shrimp for the chicken

Looking for more tasty and easy recipes? Try a few here:

• Italian Chicken and Acorn Squash Couscous
• Chicken & Pork Crostina Pasta
• Creamy Beef and Potatoes
• Wild Rice Chicken Casserole – (Easy Recipe)
• Meat and Potato Timballo Pie

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