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

You May Also Like:

  • Cajun Chicken Pasta

  • Lemon Chicken Pasta

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  • Chicken Fajita Pasta

  • 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? ›

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 seasoning hot? ›

Cajun seasoning is a blend of spices that create a spicy, earthy, and sometimes smoky flavor.

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.

What can I mix with rice to make it taste better? ›

Stir in a tiny bit of ground cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, and/or cloves — exercise restraint and be sure to taste. Add up to 1/2 cup crumbled cooked bacon, sausage, chorizo, or chopped ham. Add up to 1/2 cup dried shrimp or a couple of mashed anchovies. Season with any spice mixture .

Is Cajun seasoning like 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. Most Cajun seasoning blends are spicier than Old Bay, and Old Bay contains ingredients like bay leaf, celery salt, and mustard that aren't usually in Cajun spice blends.

What's the difference between Creole and Cajun seasoning? ›

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.

Which is hotter Cajun or paprika? ›

Flavor – Cayenne is a fiery spice that adds heat to any dish, while paprika has a milder, slightly sweet taste.

How to fix bland chicken and rice? ›

Add Herbs and Spices:Mix in herbs like thyme, rosemary, or bay leaves during cooking for added aroma and flavor. Experiment with spices like cumin, coriander, or turmeric for a more flavorful base. Citrus Zest:Grate some citrus zest (lemon, lime, or orange) into the rice for a fresh and zesty kick.

What can I add to chicken to make it taste good? ›

Add a touch of spice to your chicken breast by combining paprika, cinnamon, turmeric, cumin, ginger, garlic and olive oil to create a paste. Then cover your chicken breast with the paste and pat down to secure.

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

Make a Rub

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.

What enhances chicken flavor? ›

Classic Poultry Seasoning: 1 teaspoon dried basil + 1 teaspoon dried rosemary + 1 teaspoon salt + ½ teaspoon garlic powder + ½ teaspoon mustard powder + ½ teaspoon black pepper.

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