Creamy Cajun Chicken & Rice is a delightful dish that brings a taste of the South to your dinner table. This one-pot meal is creamy, flavorful, and packed with chicken, rice, and veggies. It’s perfect for busy weeknights or when you want to impress family and friends with minimal effort.
Why Make This Recipe
This recipe is great because it combines bold Cajun flavors with creamy goodness. It is simple to prepare and uses ingredients you might already have at home. Plus, this dish is filling and satisfying, making it a perfect choice for a hearty meal.
How to Make Creamy Cajun Chicken & Rice
Making Creamy Cajun Chicken & Rice is easy. Follow the steps below to create this mouth-watering dish.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb chicken breast, diced
- 1 cup rice
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Green onions for garnish
Directions:
- In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced chicken and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pot, add onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Sauté until vegetables are softened.
- Stir in the rice and Cajun seasoning, cooking for 1-2 minutes.
- Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, add cream, and return chicken to the pot.
- Cover and simmer for about 20 minutes or until rice is cooked.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve hot, garnished with green onions.
How to Serve Creamy Cajun Chicken & Rice
Serve your Creamy Cajun Chicken & Rice hot. You can add extra green onions on top for a fresh crunch. This dish goes well with a side salad or some crusty bread for a complete meal.
How to Store Creamy Cajun Chicken & Rice
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should stay fresh for about 3-4 days. When you are ready to eat, simply reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop. You might want to add a little extra cream or broth to rehydrate the rice as it warms up.
Tips to Make Creamy Cajun Chicken & Rice
- Make sure to cook the chicken until it is fully browned for the best flavor.
- You can use other types of rice if needed, just adjust the cooking time according to the rice package instructions.
- Feel free to add more vegetables like zucchini or spinach for extra nutrition.
Variation
You can make a vegetarian version by substituting chicken for chickpeas or tofu and using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. You can also adjust the Cajun seasoning to your taste for more or less heat.
FAQs
Q: Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?
A: Yes, you can use frozen chicken, but make sure to thaw it first for even cooking.
Q: Is there a gluten-free version of this recipe?
A: Yes, just use gluten-free rice and ensure that your Cajun seasoning is gluten-free as well.
Q: How can I make this recipe spicier?
A: You can add more Cajun seasoning, or include hot sauce to give it an extra kick!
Enjoy your flavorful journey with this Creamy Cajun Chicken & Rice! It’s comfort food that’s sure to please everyone.
Print
Creamy Cajun Chicken & Rice
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
A delightful one-pot meal that combines bold Cajun flavors with creamy goodness, perfect for busy weeknights or impressing guests with minimal effort.
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast, diced
- 1 cup rice
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Green onions for garnish
Instructions
- In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced chicken and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pot, add onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Sauté until vegetables are softened.
- Stir in the rice and Cajun seasoning, cooking for 1-2 minutes.
- Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, add cream, and return chicken to the pot.
- Cover and simmer for about 20 minutes or until rice is cooked.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve hot, garnished with green onions.
Notes
For extra nutrition, add more vegetables like zucchini or spinach. Adjust Cajun seasoning for desired heat level.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
Keywords: Cajun chicken, creamy rice, one-pot meal, easy dinner, comfort food