This Cajun Chicken and Rice recipe is made up of tender chicken cooked on a bed of flavorful rice to make a one-pan meal that your whole family will love.
The cajun spice mix we use in this recipe makes it extra flavorful and adds a delicious kick of flavor. It's the perfect dish for a busy weeknight or to impress guests at a dinner party.
Looking for specifics on the recipe? Use the table of contents to click on sections of the recipe.
Jump to:
Why you'll love this recipe
- You only need simple ingredients that are easy to find at your local grocery store to make this easy weeknight dinner.
- Packed full of cajun flavors and juicy chicken you can feel about feeding your family this balanced meal.
- It only takes 5 minutes of prep time so you don't have to worry about spending too much time in the kitchen.
Ingredient List
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
- boneless skinless chicken breasts
- cajun seasoning
- olive oil
- long grain rice
- minced garlic
- chicken broth
- tomato paste
- tomato purée
- large lime, optional garnish
- fresh parsley, optional garnish
Equipment
- Cast Iron Skillet
- Measuring Spoons and Cups
- Liquid Measuring Cup
- Wooden Spoon
- Cutting Board
- knife
Instructions
This is an overview of the recipe. The full instructions are below in the recipe card.
Step 1: Cut the chicken in half lengthwise and sprinkle both sides of the chicken with 2 tablespoons of cajun seasoning.
Step 2: Heat a non-stick skillet with oil on medium-high heat. Sear the seasoned chicken on each side for 2 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
Step 3: In the same skillet, over medium-high heat add rice, garlic, chicken broth, tomato paste, and tomato puree. Stir all together and bring to a low boil on medium heat. Decrease the heat to low, add the chicken back to the pan.
Step 4: Cover the pan with a lid. Allow to cook for 10-12 minutes. Until rice is cooked and chicken is cooked through and tender. Uncover, remove from the heat, and stir with a fork.
Eileen's Tips for Success
- I used white rice to make this recipe; however, you can also use brown rice. You will need to adjust the water and cooking time.
- I make my homemade Cajun seasoning instead of buying the pricey bottles at the store. A store-bought kind will work
- When reheating leftovers, if you find the rice is on the dry side, add a splash of chicken stock or chicken broth to add some extra moisture to your dish.
- Garnish this easy Cajun chicken recipe with a sprinkle of fresh parsley, a squeeze of lime juice, or even a couple of dashes of hot sauce.
Variations
Do you want to change up this recipe?
- Want to add more heat to your recipe? If so, add an extra pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the seasoning.
- Don't have chicken breast? You can swap them out and use boneless skinless chicken thighs instead.
- If you want to add a creamy touch to your skillet meal, try adding a bit of heavy cream.
- You can turn this into a full one-pot meal by adding your favorite fresh veggies like diced bell peppers, or frozen peas.
- Want a little more flavor? Add additional seasonings like black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, or even your favorite fresh herbs to this dish.
Make-ahead, storage, and freezer tips
Make ahead: I think this meal is perfect for meal prep when you want to have a hearty meal the next day.
Storage - Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days.
Freezing - This dish can be frozen for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container. To reheat, thaw in the fridge overnight and heat on the stove or in the oven until heated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Any type of white rice will work well in this dish. Jasmine, basmati, or even regular long grain rice will delive great results.
You can also use a large non-stick skillet or a Dutch oven for this recipe. Just make sure the pan is deep enough to hold all the ingredients and has a lid for when it goes into the oven.
No, there is no need to marinate the chicken for this recipe. The spices and sauce used in the dish will provide plenty of flavor to the chicken.
Serving Suggestions
This Easy Roasted Corn on the Cob
Similar recipes
Cajun Red Beans and Rice recipe
Cajun Shrimp Sausage Veggie Saute
I love any comments or questions, please feel free to leave them below.
Keep up to date with recipes by following me on:
FACEBOOK INSTAGRAM PINTEREST TWITTER
Thank you for your continued support. I am forever grateful.
Eileen xo
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.
If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖 Recipe
Save the Recipe?
Enter your email below and we'll send the recipe straight to your inbox to view anytime. Plus the bonus of regular recipes to you for inspiration!
Cajun Chicken and Rice
Equipment
Ingredients
Instructions
- Trim excess fat from 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts chicken breasts and pat them dry with a paper towel. Cut the chicken in half lengthwise. Sprinkle both sides of the chicken with 2 Tablespoons of Cajun seasoning.
- Heat a non-stick skillet with 1 Tablespoon olive oil on medium-high heat. Sear the seasoned chicken on each side for 2 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
- In the same skillet, over medium-high heat add 1 ½ cups long grain rice, 1 Tablespoon minced garlic, 3 cups chicken broth, 1 Tablespoon tomato paste, ¼ cup tomato purée, and the remaining 2 Tablespoons Cajun seasoning. Bring the mixture to a low boil over medium heat. Decrease the heat to low, add the seared chicken back to the pan.
- Cover the pan with a lid. Simmer for 10-12 minutes, until rice and chicken are cooked through and tender. Remove the pan from the heat, and stir with a fork. Taste for seasoning, if needed, adjust seasoning.
- Garnish with 1 large sliced lime and 1 Tablespoon fresh chopped parsley, optional garnish. Ready to serve.
Nutrition
Notes
Store leftovers in the refrigerator in a covered airtight container for up to 3 days.
How to freeze:
Allow to cool down and freeze in a freezer-safe airtight container for 1 month.
How to reheat
Reheat in the microwave until heated through.
Comments
No Comments