Make a flavorful, creamy Cajun chicken dinner quickly using just one pan, served over rice for an easy weeknight meal.
Author:Ahazzam
Prep Time:10 min
Cook Time:35 min
Total Time:45 min
Yield:4 servings
Category:Dinner
Method:Skillet Cooking
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons Cajun spice blend
1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
2 cups water
Salt and black pepper to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Season the chicken pieces evenly with 1 tablespoon of the Cajun spice blend, salt, and pepper.
Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Add the chopped onion to the same skillet and cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon of Cajun spice blend and the Italian seasoning. Cook for 30 seconds.
Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring to a simmer.
Stir in the uncooked rice and the 2 cups of water. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and cook for 15 minutes, or until the liquid is mostly absorbed and the rice is tender.
Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet.
Simmer uncovered for 3-5 minutes, stirring gently, until the chicken is heated through and the sauce has thickened slightly.
Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
Adjust the amount of Cajun spice blend if you prefer less heat.
If the sauce is too thick, add a splash more chicken broth or cream.
You can substitute brown rice, but increase the cooking time for the rice by about 10-15 minutes.