Name: Creamy Cajun Chicken and Rice
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: Cajun
Ingredients: 4 pieces Chicken breasts or thighs (Breast is leaner while thighs stay juicy.); 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (Store bought or homemade.); 2 tablespoons Olive oil (For browning.); 1 tablespoon Butter (For flavor.); 1 cup Long grain white rice (Jasmine rice can work too.); 2 cups Chicken broth (For better flavor than water.); 3 cloves Garlic (Minced.); 1 pinch Cajun seasoning (Adjust based on chicken seasoning.); 1 cup Heavy cream (Or half and half for lighter sauce.); 1 cup Grated parmesan cheese (Avoid shelf-stable powder.); 3 cloves Garlic (Minced.); 1 tablespoon Butter (For starting the sauce.); 1 piece Lemon (Squeeze for freshness.); 1/4 cup Chopped parsley (For color and flavor.); 1 pinch Red pepper flakes (For extra heat.)

Description

A comforting and creamy dish combining Cajun-seasoned chicken, flavorful garlic rice, and a rich garlic parmesan sauce that feels fancy without the fuss.

Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Cajun Chicken

4 pieces Chicken breasts or thighs (Breast is leaner while thighs stay juicy.)
2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (Store bought or homemade.)
2 tablespoons Olive oil (For browning.)
1 tablespoon Butter (For flavor.)

For the Garlic Rice

1 cup Long grain white rice (Jasmine rice can work too.)
2 cups Chicken broth (For better flavor than water.)
3 cloves Garlic (Minced.)
1 pinch Cajun seasoning (Adjust based on chicken seasoning.)

For the Garlic Parmesan Sauce

1 cup Heavy cream (Or half and half for lighter sauce.)
1 cup Grated parmesan cheese (Avoid shelf-stable powder.)
3 cloves Garlic (Minced.)
1 tablespoon Butter (For starting the sauce.)

Optional Garnishes

1 piece Lemon (Squeeze for freshness.)
1/4 cup Chopped parsley (For color and flavor.)
1 pinch Red pepper flakes (For extra heat.)

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Instructions

Prepare Chicken

Pat the chicken dry and rub with olive oil and Cajun seasoning.
Heat a skillet, add butter and oil, and sear the chicken until golden brown. Let it rest after cooking.

Cook Rice

In another pot, sauté minced garlic in butter.
Stir in rice for a minute, then add chicken broth and a pinch of Cajun seasoning.
Cover and reduce heat until liquid is absorbed, then let sit for 5 minutes and fluff with a fork.

Make Sauce

In the same skillet used for the chicken, add butter and sauté garlic for 30 seconds.
Pour in heavy cream, scraping the bottom of the pan, and add parmesan gradually while stirring.
Adjust thickness with additional broth if needed, and season to taste.

Assemble

Serve rice in bowls, place sliced chicken on top, and drizzle garlic parmesan sauce over everything.
Garnish with parsley, a squeeze of lemon, and red pepper flakes if desired.

Notes

Marinating chicken is optional but recommended. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Reheat with a splash of broth to maintain moisture.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Cajun, Southern

Nutrition

Calories: 650
Sugar: 1
Sodium: 800
Fat: 30
Saturated Fat: 15
Carbohydrates: 50
Fiber: 2
Protein: 40