Cajun Chicken is a flavor packed one pan dinner that will take you straight to the heart of Louisiana! Juicy, Cajun seasoned chicken breasts are cooked to perfection and served atop a pillow of crazy good rice.
Cajun Chicken and Rice
Nothing quite excites the taste buds like Cajun seasoning! That blend of spices is truly mouthwatering, and it so incredibly compliments this easy chicken and rice dinner. It’s a little spicy, a little salty, a little herbaceous, and a whole lot of delicious.
The chicken isn’t the only flavor packed item in this recipe, that’s for sure! You won’t find any plain rice in a good Cajun recipe. Nope, this rice is packed with ingredients like garlic, onions, and (you guessed it), Cajun seasoning!
Why You’ll Love this Cajun Chicken Recipe:
- Flavor Packed: Whether you use store-bought Cajun seasoning or make your own, you’re going to love the flavor it brings to this easy dinner.
- One Pan: One pan? That means this meal is easy to make AND easy to clean! That’s a huge win win.
- Filling: With 4 whole chicken breasts and plenty of rice all in one pan, this is a filling dinner that’s bound to satisfy even the hungriest of dinner guests.
It doesn’t have to be Fat Tuesday to enjoy this Louisiana inspired chicken dinner. It’s delicious all year round!
How to Make Cajun Chicken
Be sure to see the recipe card below for full ingredients & instructions!
- Season the chicken.
- Sear the chicken.
- Sauté the veggies.
- Place all ingredients in the pan.
- Bring to a simmer.
- Simmer for 15-20 minutes.
- Enjoy!
Cajun seasoning is a blend of spices that typically includes paprika, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, dried basil, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, and red pepper flakes. It’s bold and SO delicious!
Yes, but make sure the frozen breasts are fully thawed before marinating them. Let them defrost in the refrigerator overnight.
Chicken is cooked through when a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast reads at least 165°F.
For best results, use long grain white rice. You can certainly use brown rice, just note that brown rice takes a little bit longer to cook. Avoid using instant or microwaveable rice for this recipe.
Serving Ideas
This is a one pan dinner that can be served all on it’s own. With that being said, here are a few veggie side dishes that also go well with it!
- Corn on the Cob (serve this with lots of butter and Cajun seasoning for a real treat)
- Firecracker Broccoli with Cheese
- Green Beans and Bacon
Tender, juicy white meat chicken served with fluffy, flavorful rice. What more could you ask for in an easy weeknight dinner?!
Recipe Tips and Notes
- Taste test the rice before you remove the pan from the heat! That way, you can tell if it’s fully cooked or if it needs to be covered and cooked for a few more minutes.
- While this meal is ideal for Mardi Gras dinner parties, it’s also pretty perfect as a regular weeknight dinner with the family.
- Make sure your chicken broth is low sodium to avoid your rice being too salty.
I like to sprinkle a little extra Cajun seasoning right on top of my plate before I dig in. I just can’t help myself!
How long does Cajun chicken last?
Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Is this Cajun chicken spicy?
Not really, no. While Cajun seasoning has a kick, I wouldn’t label this dish as too spicy at all. However, you can make it hotter with cayenne powder, red pepper flakes, or hot sauce if you’d like!
What kind of Cajun seasoning should I use?
I always use Homemade Creole Seasoning instead of store-bought. Also, yes, Creole and Cajun seasonings are two different names for the same thing.
Whether you’re tossing beads at a Mardi Gras party or planning your family’s dinners for the week, this is a perfect recipe to keep handy! Cajun chicken and rice is made in no time in just one pan and always yields the most delicious results.
If you’ve made this recipe, please be sure to let us know by leaving a star rating or a comment below. Enjoy!
Cajun Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper to season
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Rice
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ yellow onion diced
- ½ cup diced green bell pepper
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 2 ¼ cups low-sodium chicken broth
Instructions
- Season both sides of each chicken breast with salt, pepper, and Cajun seasoning.4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, Salt and pepper, 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- Melt the butter and oil in a skillet set over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken on both sides until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.1 tablespoon olive oil, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- To the same pan, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, onion, and green bell pepper and sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the garlic and additional Cajun seasoning and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.2 tablespoons unsalted butter, ½ yellow onion, ½ cup diced green bell pepper, 2 cloves garlic, 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- Add the rice and chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Return the chicken to the pan, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the rice is tender and fluffy.1 cup long grain white rice, 2 ¼ cups low-sodium chicken broth
Barbara Long says
Loved this and so did the kids!
Becky Hardin says
It’s so great when you get the kids’ approval too!