Description
This easy Cajun Chicken and Rice recipe is a bold, flavor-packed one-pan meal made with juicy seasoned chicken, tender rice, and colorful bell peppers. It’s the perfect weeknight dinner when you want something hearty, comforting, and just a little bit spicy—without spending hours in the kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup bell peppers (red, green, yellow), chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Season the chicken with Cajun seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Sear the chicken for 4–5 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pan, sauté onion, garlic, and bell peppers until softened.
- Stir in rice, thyme, and chili flakes, coating the rice in the flavorful oil.
- Pour in chicken broth and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Return the chicken to the pan, cover, and cook on low heat for 18–20 minutes.
- Once the rice is tender and the chicken is cooked through, remove from heat.
- Let it rest for 5 minutes, then fluff the rice and garnish with fresh parsley.
Notes
For extra heat, add more Cajun seasoning or a splash of hot sauce.
Swap white rice for brown rice (just increase cooking time slightly).
Chicken thighs will give you a juicier, richer flavor.
Don’t skip resting time—it helps the rice finish perfectly fluffy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: One-Pan / Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun / Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 85mg