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Creamy One-Pot Cajun Chicken and Rice

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A quick and easy creamy one-pot Cajun chicken and rice recipe that is comforting, flavorful, and perfect for busy weeknights. This dish balances creamy texture with bold Cajun spices and requires minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed
  • 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium bell pepper, diced (red or green)
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 ½ cups chicken broth (low sodium)
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: hot sauce or cayenne pepper for extra heat

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients: Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces, dice bell pepper, finely chop onion, mince garlic, and rinse rice until water runs clear. Drain well.
  2. Season the chicken with 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning, a pinch of salt, and pepper.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken pieces on all sides for 4-5 minutes but do not cook through. Remove chicken and set aside.
  4. In the same pan, sauté onion, bell pepper, and garlic until softened and fragrant, about 3 minutes.
  5. Add rinsed rice to the pan and stir constantly for 1-2 minutes to lightly toast the rice.
  6. Pour in chicken broth and sprinkle remaining 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning over the rice mixture. Stir to combine and return chicken to the pan, nestling it on top of the rice.
  7. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 18-20 minutes until rice is tender and chicken is cooked through. Avoid lifting the lid during simmering.
  8. Remove lid and stir in softened cream cheese until melted and creamy. Add a splash of broth or water if mixture is too thick.
  9. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or hot sauce as desired. Let rest for a couple of minutes before serving.

Notes

Do not skip toasting the rice to keep grains separate and add nuttiness. Use room temperature cream cheese for easier melting. Keep the lid on during simmering to trap steam and cook rice evenly. Adjust spice level by varying Cajun seasoning and optional hot sauce. If rice is not tender after simmering, add more broth and cook covered a few extra minutes. Avoid overcooking chicken during browning as it finishes cooking during simmer.

Nutrition

Keywords: Cajun chicken, one-pot meal, creamy chicken and rice, quick dinner, easy Cajun recipe, weeknight dinner, comfort food

Find it online: https://sweetstirring.com/creamy-one-pot-cajun-chicken-and-rice-easy-recipe-for-quick-dinner/