Description
This One Pot Cajun Chicken and Rice is a flavorful and quick meal perfect for busy weeknights. Tender chicken breasts are seasoned with Cajun spices, browned, then simmered with aromatic vegetables and long grain white rice in chicken broth. Finished with a touch of honey and optional fresh mango and cilantro, this dish offers a perfect balance of savory and sweet with a delightful Cajun kick.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (or chicken thighs)
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 tablespoon honey
Vegetables and Rice
- 1 tablespoon butter (plus extra as needed)
- 1 celery stalk (thinly sliced)
- 1 bell pepper (diced, preferably red)
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 cup long grain white rice (uncooked)
- 2 ¼ cups chicken broth (low sodium recommended)
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
Optional Garnish
- 2 mangoes (diced)
- handful cilantro (chopped)
- lime wedges for squeezing
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Rub olive oil all over the chicken breasts, then season thoroughly with 2 teaspoons of Cajun seasoning on all sides for a flavorful crust.
- Brown Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Once melted, stir in the honey to combine. Add the chicken breasts and brown each side for 1-2 minutes until golden. Remove chicken from pan and set aside on a plate.
- Sauté Vegetables: To the same skillet, add the sliced celery, diced bell pepper, and minced garlic. Sauté for about 1 minute. If the pan looks dry, add an additional tablespoon of butter to prevent sticking.
- Add Rice and Broth: Stir in the uncooked rice, 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning, and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat.
- Simmer with Chicken: Reduce heat to medium-low to maintain a gentle simmer. Return the browned chicken breasts to the skillet, placing them on top of the rice. Cover the pan with a lid and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and the rice is tender.
- Finish and Serve: Fluff the rice gently with a fork. Serve the chicken and rice topped with diced mangoes (if using), chopped cilantro, and lime wedges for an added burst of freshness and sweetness.
Notes
- Using a large skillet or sauté pan with a lid is ideal for even cooking and easy one-pot preparation.
- For a spicier dish, increase the Cajun seasoning slightly or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Chicken thighs can be used as a juicier alternative to chicken breasts.
- If mango is not preferred, substitute with diced pineapple or leave it out entirely.
- Leftovers reheat well and can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
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
