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.
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!
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
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.
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.
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!
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.
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
Nutrition info is auto-calculated and meant to be an approximation only.
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