This Cajun rice is a quick, flavorful side dish with simple ingredients like Cajun seasoning, bell pepper, and Minute rice, perfect to pair with chicken, shrimp, or beef.

A pot with cajun rice recipe and a wood spoon

Recipe Overview

This Cajun rice is super quick, easy, and packed with flavor! If you're bored with plain old rice and want something with a little more kick, this is your new go-to. It's the perfect side dish to serve with chicken, shrimp, or beef.

With simple ingredients like Cajun seasoning, bell pepper, onion, and Minute rice, it all comes together in a flash. I definitely recommend using Minute rice for this recipe—it cooks up faster and more evenly, making everything that much easier!

close up of cajun rice recipe with a wood spoon

Recipe Ingredients

2 Tbsp salted butter
1 cup diced onion
1 cup diced green bell pepper – about 1 large pepper
3 garlic cloves – minced
1 cup Minute rice
2 tsp Cajun seasoning
2 cups chicken broth

Three images grouped together of a pot, first with melted butter, second with chopped green bell pepper and onion, third with sauteed bell pepper and onion

How To Make Cajun Rice

Full ingredients and instructions are also in the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post.

Cook Veggies

In a large pot, heat 2 Tbsp of butter over medium-high heat. Once melted, add 1 cup diced onion and 1 cup diced green bell pepper (about 1 large pepper). Cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the veggies begin to soften.

Add Garlic

Add 3 minced garlic cloves to the pot and cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.

Three images grouped of a pot, first with rice and spices over bell pepper and onion. second ingredients mixed, third rice lightly toasted.

Add Rice + Spices

Stir in 1 cup Minute rice and 2 tsp of Cajun seasoning. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently, to lightly toast the rice.

Three images grouped, first is rice bell pepper mixture with broth poured in. Second is cooked rice mixture but flat, third is fluffed rice with a fork

Simmer with Broth

Pour in 2 cups of chicken broth, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer for 15-18 minutes, or until the rice has absorbed all the liquid. Don’t stir during this step—let the rice cook undisturbed for the best texture.

Let Sit

Remove the pot from heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes. After that, fluff the rice with a fork. Now it's ready to serve!

close up of cajun rice recipe in a pot with a wood spoon

Recipe Tips

Minute rice is a total game-changer for this dish—it cooks up quicker and more evenly, making this a super fast and hassle-free meal.
Once the rice and broth are added, let it simmer undisturbed to keep the texture light and fluffy.
Want to make it even heartier? Toss in some extra veggies like diced tomatoes, spinach, or corn. Just cook them with the onion and bell pepper to keep things simple and flavorful.

How To Store Leftovers

REFRIGERATE: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
TO REHEAT ON STOVETOP: Reheat the rice in a pan over low heat, adding a sprinkle of broth or water. Stir occasionally until heated through, about 5-7 minutes.

cajun rice in a bowl with chopped bell pepper and onion

Cajun Shrimp with Rice

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Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 22

Total Time: 32

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

¼ cup salted butter - divided
1 cup diced onion
1 cup diced green bell pepper - about 1 large pepper
3 garlic cloves - minced
1 cup Minute rice
3 tsp Cajun seasoning - divided
2 cups chicken broth
1 lb raw large shrimp - peeled and deveined

Instructions

Thaw your shrimp completely and pat them dry with paper towels. You don’t want any excess moisture when cooking them.
In a large pot, heat 2 Tbsp of butter over medium-high heat. Once melted, add 1 cup diced onion and 1 cup diced green bell pepper (about 1 large pepper). Cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the veggies begin to soften.
Add 3 minced garlic cloves to the pot and cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.
Stir in 1 cup Minute rice and 2 tsp of Cajun seasoning. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently, to lightly toast the rice.
Pour in 2 cups of chicken broth, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer for 15-18 minutes, or until the rice has absorbed all the liquid. Don’t stir during this step—let the rice cook undisturbed for the best texture.
Remove the pot from heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes. After that, fluff the rice with a fork.
While the rice is resting, melt the remaining 2 Tbsp of butter in the microwave. Stir in 1 tsp of Cajun seasoning and pour the mixture over the shrimp in a bowl. Toss the shrimp well to coat them evenly in the buttery Cajun seasoning.
Once the rice is done, heat the pot over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned shrimp to the pot and cook for 1-2 minutes per side, until the shrimp turn pink and opaque. Don’t overcook them—shrimp cook quickly!
Remove from heat as soon as the shrimp are done and scoop onto plates to serve.

Nutrition Info

The nutritional information provided is an estimate and is per serving.

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Cajun Rice