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 Pasta

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  • Cream Cheese Chicken Enchiladas

  • Cheesy Chicken Rice with Broccoli and Bacon

  • The Best Simple Lasagna Recipe

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

FAQs

What to add to chicken and rice for flavor? ›

Add spices and herbs: Before cooking the rice, add a pinch of salt, some black pepper, and a few dried herbs such as thyme, oregano, or rosemary. You can also use ground cumin, turmeric, or cinnamon to add more flavor. Use chicken or vegetable broth instead of water: This will add more flavor to the rice as it cooks.

Is Cajun seasoning hot? ›

Cajun spice mix is a Louisiana seasoning that packs a punch when it comes to flavors. The delicious (and mildly spicy) seasoning lends itself to so many wonderful dishes — like pastas, shrimp, chicken, fish, and much, much more.

How do you make chicken and rice less boring? ›

You can easily vary this dish by using any stock instead of water; by substituting another grain, like pearled barley, for the rice; by sautéing or roasting the chicken separately and combining it with the rice at the last minute; by adding sausage or shellfish, like shrimp, along with the chicken, or, most excitingly, ...

What sauce goes best with chicken and rice? ›

Here are some popular sauces that you can use with chicken fried rice:
  • Soy Sauce:Traditional soy sauce is a classic choice for chicken fried rice. ...
  • Oyster Sauce:Oyster sauce has a rich, savory flavor with a touch of sweetness. ...
  • Sriracha:Sriracha sauce adds a spicy kick to chicken fried rice.
Sep 20, 2022

What's the difference between Old Bay and Cajun seasoning? ›

What's the Difference Between Old Bay and Cajun Seasoning? While the two include some of the same ingredients, this Old Bay replica uses more spices and has a bay leaf, celery salt, and mustard base. Cajun seasoning concentrates on paprika and is a little spicier because of the cayenne pepper.

Is Cajun seasoning like Old Bay? ›

Though the mix of ingredients is a bit different, cajun seasoning works as a substitute for Old Bay. You can use the same amount of cajun seasoning in your recipe as you would the Old Bay seasoning. However, keep in mind that the cajun blend may be a bit spicier than the Old Bay.

Is Creole seasoning same as Cajun? ›

While very similar, the primary difference between Cajun and Creole seasonings is this: Cajun seasoning contains a combination of ground peppers—cayenne, black, white, etc. —while Creole seasoning is heavy on the herbs—paprika, oregano, thyme, etc.

What can I add to rice to enhance flavor? ›

Spices
  1. Cumin.
  2. Curry powder.
  3. Paprika.
  4. Red pepper flakes.
  5. Garlic powder.
  6. Onion powder.
  7. Chili powder.
  8. Cajun seasoning.

What can I add to rice to add Flavour? ›

As for those additions, here they are:
  1. Stir in a tablespoon or more of butter.
  2. Stir in a tablespoon or more of olive oil.
  3. Drizzle with soy sauce.
  4. Add lots of pepper.
  5. Stir in a couple of tablespoons minced fresh herbs, ideally warmed first in melted butter.
Oct 18, 2019

What can I add to rice for flavor while cooking? ›

6 Add-ins to Upgrade White Rice
  1. Alternative Cooking Liquid. For an effortless yet dramatic difference, infuse your rice with flavored cooking water or use more aromatic liquid like broth or juice. ...
  2. Cheese. ...
  3. Vegetables. ...
  4. Avocado. ...
  5. Herbs and Seasonings. ...
  6. Nopalitos or Cactus Pads.

How can I add more flavor to my cooked chicken? ›

Just because the chicken is already cooked doesn't mean it can't benefit from a rub. Before reheating, make a custom blend of your favorite spices like paprika, cayenne, onion or garlic powder. Mix in dried herbs or a bit of sugar for beautiful caramelization, then sprinkle it evenly over the skin.

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