One Pot Cajun Chicken and Rice  | easy recipe with a skillet

Whip up this easy one-pot Cajun Chicken and Rice in just 30 minutes for a flavorful and satisfying meal. Combine tender chicken, fluffy rice, and Cajun seasoning for a bold burst of flavor using a single skillet. This quick and simple recipe requires minimal ingredients and is sure to become a family favorite.

🛒Ingredients needed for the one-pot cajun chicken and rice

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Below are the key ingredients required to prepare the one-pot cajun chicken and rice.

• Chicken. This cajun chicken and rice can be made with chicken breast or thigh meat. I prefer using chicken thigh meat because it is more juicy and tender.
• Cajun seasoning. You can mix the Cajun seasoning yourself, but I prefer using the store-bought Cajun seasoning for simplicity.
• Vegetables. I am using bell pepper, tomato, and onion in this recipe, but you can add other vegetables, such as celery and carrots, if you wish. All the vegetables required are to be cut into small dice so they are easy to mix well with the rice.
• OIl. You may use butter instead of olive oil for better flavor. However, butter can get burned, so it’s best to use partial olive oil with butter.
• Chicken broth. Consider using partial chicken broth and water instead of only water alone. This will give you a more intense flavor.
• Rice. You may use any type of rice for this cajun chicken and rice, but I prefer Basmati rice.

❓ What is Cajun seasoning?

Well, it is a blend of seasoning ingredients from Louisiana, the home of delicious Cajun cuisine. There are different seasoning formulas, and everyone has their own spin. But generally, it is a combination of paprika, cayenne, garlic, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Here is a simple recipe for you to prepare your own if you do not intend to use store-bought Cajun seasoning.

Homemade cajun seasoning:

This seasoning is super easy to prepare. All you need to do is mix the following ingredients in equal portions and store them in an airtight container: onion powder, cayenne pepper, thyme, salt, garlic powder, paprika, and Italian seasoning.

👉 How to make One Pot Cajun Chicken and Rice

1. First, cut the Chicken into bite-sized pieces. You can cut the Chicken in the cubes, but I prefer to cut the Chicken into thin slices, which means they will be able to cope quickly.

2. Mix the Chicken with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, lemon juice, and Cajun seasoning. Marinate it for at least two hours in the refrigerator.

3. Cut red and green bell peppers into small cubes. I like to use multi-colored pepper to make the rice look more presentable. Similarly, cut the onions and the tomato into cubes about the same size as the bell pepper.

Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a pan. Pan-fry the Chicken over medium heat until golden brown and slightly charred on both sides. Set aside. When it is done, remove the chicken slices from the pan.

4. Then, use the remaining oil in the pan to sauté the onions until translucent.

5. Add the bell peppers and garlic, and sauté for another minute. Next, add the tomato cubes and sauté for another one minute.

6. To prepare the rice for cooking, rinse it with water by changing it a few times. Then, place it in a colander and drain. The amount of water and broth indicated in the recipe is the quantity required to cook the rice based on the rice having already been drained.

7. Add the drained rice to the pan and mix well with the other ingredients.

8. Season the ingredients in the pan with more salt and Cajun seasoning if desired. Add water or broth, then stir well. Please refer to the tips below for how much water/broth I use for the rice.

9 Arrange the cooked chicken on top of the rice.

10. Cover and cook over low heat for about 30 minutes or until the rice is fully cooked and the liquid has been absorbed. 

11. Remove from heat and let it sit for 10 minutes before removing the lid to allow the rice to absorb the liquid fully. Garnish with chopped cilantro and lemon wedges to serve. 

This one-pot cajun chicken and rice is perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.

💡Tips and notes for the best One-pot Cajun Chicken rice

• Brown the chicken in batches, and do not overcrowd the pan. Browning it over medium-high heat should give you the best result.
• Since I have already drained the rice in a colander, I use 1.8 times the volume of the rice. For example, if I have one cup of drained uncooked rice, I will add 1.8 cups of broth/water to cook the rice. However, the amount of water required to cook the rice varies, depending on the type of rice. The amount of water (and stock) in the recipe is for reference only. 
• As you are cooking risotto, you do not need to stir the rice during cooking. Therefore, it is best to use a small flame and cover the pot so that it will not burn at the bottom. This method is similar to cooking Biryani Rice.
• The actual cooking time depends on the heat of your stove. If you encounter rice that is not fully cooked, add a few tablespoons of water to cover it and continue cooking it again.
• Tomato paste is a good substitute for fresh tomato for this cajun chicken and rice recipe.
• You can cook the rice over the stove in a Dutch oven or a large skillet with a lid. Alternatively, if you have a rice cooker, you can put everything into it and let it cook accordingly automatically.
• If you like, sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese on top before surfing.
• Jasmine Rice or any other long-grain rice is best for this recipe.

🆒 How to store and reheat the leftover Cajun chicken rice?

After cooking, let the rice cool completely before placing it in an airtight container and storing it in the refrigerator. Cajun chicken rice can be stored in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. 

When reheating, you can use a microwave at medium heat until heated through. If reheating on the stovetop, please add a splash of chicken broth to prevent sticking.

📜 Other simple recipes complement the Cajun chicken rice.

If you like this Cajun chicken recipe, I would love to suggest other recipes on this blog.

• Parmesan-crusted chicken – Simple and delicious chicken recipe in 30 minutes.
• Mongolian beef is a Chinese takeout dish loved by everyone. Believe me, this dish is not available in Mongolia!