Bring bold Southern-inspired flavor to your dinner table with this Cajun Shrimp, Chicken and Sausage Rice Skillet. Juicy shrimp, tender chicken, smoky sausage, and fluffy white rice come together in a rich, savory Cajun-style sauce. It’s a hearty, comforting meal that’s perfect for family dinners and easy enough to make on a busy weeknight.
Ingredients
For the Rice
- 2 cups long-grain white rice
- 4 cups water or chicken broth
- ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
For the Cajun Skillet
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 pound boneless chicken thighs or chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 12 ounces smoked sausage, sliced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning, divided
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Cook the rice: Rinse the rice under cold water. Add it to a saucepan with the water or chicken broth and salt. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce the heat, and simmer according to the package directions until tender. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
- Season the chicken: Toss the chicken pieces with 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning, the smoked paprika, dried thyme, and black pepper.
- Brown the sausage: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced sausage and cook for 3–4 minutes until browned. Transfer to a plate.
- Cook the chicken: Add the seasoned chicken to the same skillet. Cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through. Transfer to the plate with the sausage.
- Sauté the vegetables: Add the butter, onion, and bell pepper to the skillet. Cook for 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and tomato paste and cook for another minute.
- Make the Cajun sauce: Pour in the chicken broth and Worcestershire sauce. Add the remaining Cajun seasoning and cayenne pepper, if using. Stir well, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
- Combine the ingredients: Return the cooked chicken and sausage to the skillet. Simmer for 5–8 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly and the flavors to combine.
- Cook the shrimp: Add the shrimp and cook for approximately 3–5 minutes, turning once, until they are pink, opaque, and cooked through.
- Finish the dish: Stir in the lemon juice and chopped parsley. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
- Serve over rice: Place a generous mound of fluffy white rice in the center of a large serving dish. Spoon the Cajun chicken, shrimp, sausage, vegetables, and sauce around the rice. Add a little extra sauce over the top and serve hot.
Tips for the Best Cajun Rice Skillet
- Brown the sausage well: This adds a smoky, savory flavor to the sauce.
- Avoid overcooking the shrimp: Add them near the end so they remain tender.
- Adjust the heat: Start with less Cajun seasoning if your blend is salty or spicy, then add more to taste.
- Use chicken thighs: They stay juicy and flavorful during cooking, although chicken breast works well too.
- Make it saucier: Add a little extra chicken broth if you prefer more sauce around the rice.
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Course: Main Course
- Cuisine: Cajun-Inspired American
- Cooking Method: Stovetop
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Cajun Shrimp, Chicken and Sausage Rice Skillet
Meta Description
Make a flavorful Cajun shrimp, chicken, and sausage rice skillet with smoky sausage, tender chicken, juicy shrimp, fluffy rice, and a rich, spicy sauce.