Description
This One Pot Cajun Chicken and Rice is a flavorful and easy-to-make meal featuring tender chicken breasts seasoned with Cajun spices, cooked together with aromatic vegetables and long grain rice. Finished with a touch of honey and optional fresh mango, this dish is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that combines spicy, sweet, and savory flavors all in one pan.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (or chicken thighs)
Seasonings & Oils
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon butter (as needed)
- 1 tablespoon honey
Vegetables
- 1 celery stalk (thinly sliced)
- 1 bell pepper (diced, red preferred)
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
Grains & Broth
- 1 cup long grain white rice (uncooked)
- 2 ¼ cups chicken broth (low sodium recommended)
Garnishes (Optional)
- 2 mangoes (diced)
- handful cilantro (chopped)
- lime wedges (for squeezing)
Instructions
- Prepare and season chicken: Rub olive oil all over the chicken breasts. Season evenly with 2 teaspoons of Cajun seasoning on all sides to ensure a flavorful crust.
- Brown chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Once just melted, stir in 1 tablespoon of honey. Add the chicken and brown each side for 1-2 minutes until golden. Remove and set chicken on a plate.
- Sauté vegetables: Add the sliced celery, diced bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant and slightly softened. If the pan seems dry, add 1 tablespoon more butter as needed.
- Add rice and seasonings: Stir in the uncooked rice along with 1 tablespoon more Cajun seasoning. Pour in the 2 ¼ cups of chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Simmer with chicken: Reduce heat to medium-low. Nestle the browned chicken pieces on top of the rice. Cover the skillet and cook for 15-20 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the rice is tender.
- Finish and serve: Fluff the rice with a fork. Serve the chicken and rice topped with a scoop of diced mangoes, fresh cilantro, and lime wedges for squeezing to add brightness and sweetness.
Notes
- Use boneless skinless chicken thighs as an alternative for juicier meat.
- If mangoes are not in season, diced pineapple works well as a sweet contrast.
- Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning to control spice level.
- For a gluten-free version, ensure Cajun seasoning is gluten-free.
- This recipe is perfect for meal prep: leftovers reheat well in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 404 kcal
- Sugar: 19 g
- Sodium: 628 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 59 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 73 mg
