Description
Cajun Rice is a flavorful and aromatic dish that’s packed with bold Cajun seasonings, peppers, onions, and garlic. It’s a perfect side dish to accompany any Cajun or Southern-inspired meal, but it can also be served as a standalone dish. The mix of spices and vegetables makes this rice a deliciously savory, satisfying option. This dish is simple to make, with the right balance of heat and smokiness, giving your meal a true taste of the South!
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 cup long-grain white rice (or brown rice for a healthier option)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 bell pepper, chopped (green, red, or yellow)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian version)
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp ground thyme
- 1/4 tsp ground oregano
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- Salt, to taste
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/2 cup green onions, sliced (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Sauté the Veggies: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until the vegetables are tender and fragrant.
- Add the Rice and Spices: Add the rice to the pan and stir it into the vegetables. Cook for about 1-2 minutes, allowing the rice to lightly toast. Add the Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, thyme, oregano, and black pepper. Stir to coat the rice and vegetables in the spices.
- Simmer: Pour in the chicken broth, and add the diced tomatoes and bay leaf. Stir everything together, then bring to a simmer.
- Cook the Rice: Cover the pan with a lid, reduce the heat to low, and let the rice cook for 18-20 minutes (or follow the cooking time instructions for brown rice). Avoid stirring the rice while it’s cooking.
- Fluff and Serve: Once the rice is cooked and the liquid is absorbed, remove the pan from the heat. Fluff the rice with a fork and discard the bay leaf.
- Garnish: Garnish the rice with green onions and serve alongside your favorite Cajun dishes, such as gumbo, jambalaya, or grilled shrimp.
Notes
- For a spicier rice, increase the Cajun seasoning or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Add protein by stirring in cooked chicken, sausage, or shrimp to turn this into a one-pot meal.
- You can also substitute the chicken broth with vegetable broth for a vegetarian version.
- Use brown rice for a healthier alternative, but keep in mind that brown rice will need a longer cooking time (about 35-40 minutes)
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: ~250 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: ~600mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg