Creamy Cajun Chicken and Rice
This Creamy Cajun Chicken and Rice is a flavorful, comforting one-pot meal with tender chicken, fluffy rice, and a spicy, creamy sauce.
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breast diced
- 2 cups uncooked rice long-grain
- 1 cup bell peppers diced
- 1 cup onions diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes undrained
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- to taste salt
- to taste pepper
- fresh parsley chopped, for garnish
Instructions
Prep Your Ingredients
- Dice the chicken breast into bite-sized pieces. Dice the bell peppers and onions, and mince the garlic cloves.
Sauté the Chicken
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced chicken and season lightly with salt and pepper. Cook until browned on all sides but not fully cooked, about 4-5 minutes. Remove the chicken and set aside.
Cook the Vegetables
- In the same skillet, add diced onions and bell peppers. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Add the Rice and Seasoning
- Stir in the uncooked rice and Cajun seasoning, coating rice and vegetables evenly to toast the rice slightly and infuse flavor.
Deglaze and Simmer
- Pour in undrained diced tomatoes and chicken broth. Stir to combine, scraping up browned bits from the pan. Return browned chicken to the skillet, nestling it into the rice mixture.
Cook the Rice
- Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover skillet with lid and simmer gently for 18-20 minutes until rice is tender and liquid mostly absorbed.
Add the Cream
- Stir in heavy cream once rice is cooked. Mix well and cook uncovered for another 3-5 minutes to thicken sauce and meld flavors.
Final Seasoning and Garnish
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or Cajun seasoning if desired. Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the top to garnish.
Equipment
- Large skillet or deep sauté pan
- Sharp knife and cutting board
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Lid for the skillet
Notes
- Substitute heavy cream with coconut milk or plant-based cream for a lighter or dairy-free option.
- Use brown rice instead of white rice for extra fiber; increase cooking time and liquid accordingly.
- Add extra vegetables like zucchini, mushrooms, or spinach for added nutrition and color.
- Don’t skip browning the chicken to lock in flavor and texture.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days; reheat gently with added broth or water if needed.