This Cajun Chicken recipe is a complete meal made in one pan with just 8 ingredients! Featuring tender chicken thighs nestled in fluffy Cajun red beans and rice flavored with sweet red bell peppers and juicy tomatoes! This Cajun chicken and rice is so easy and delicious it will instantly become a family favorite!
Featured Reader Comment (from Pinterest): “Crazy easy to make and great flavor!” – Corey
Update: This post was originally published in February 2017. It’s been updated to include more information about this Cajun Chicken recipe, as well as pro-tips for customizing Louisiana chicken and rice!
Hey there, friends! I hope you are hungry and love Cajun food! Because, today we are cooking up a bold, Ragin Cajun chicken dinner you and your family will love!
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Cajun Chicken: recipe overview
Say hello to this easy, breezy, one skillet wonder of Cajun style chicken, rice and beans! Honestly, I just call this a pan of DELICIOUSNESS! Because, this skillet rice meal will make you feel like you’ve been transported right to the Bayou, alligator airboat ride obviously not included!
Here’s what’s happening in this Cajun chicken recipe! Juicy, tender, crispy-skinned chicken thighs are beautifully snuggled in a bed of light, fluffy white rice kissed with slightly spicy, smoky, Cajun seasonings; and studded with plump red beans, fire roasted tomatoes and sweet red bell peppers. Basically, this skillet is bursting with BOLD and ROBUST Cajun flavors!
Grab a hurricane, make this chicken with red beans and rice and prepare yourself for flavor town.
If you’re looking for more delicious chicken with rice dinners, try these family friendly recipes next: cumin chicken, chicken with cranberries, and chicken with broccoli rice.
Why you will love this Cajun recipe
- Simple ingredients! This baked cajun chicken requires 8 easy-to-find, common ingredients, plus a few pantry staples!
- Quick and easy! Using canned beans and a can of tomatoes helps this chicken, rice and beans dish come together quick and easy! It’s the perfect weeknight family dinner option!
- One pan! Say goodbye to hours of dishwashing with this one-pan skillet recipe!
- Flavor! This Louisiana style chicken packs a flavorful punch! It’s smoky, spicy, earthy, zesty, savory and completely delicious!
- Complete Meal: Take the stress out of dinner with this one pan meal as it includes everything! This homemade recipe is loaded with protein, fiber, and protein, making it an easy and complete dinner option for your family!
- Flexible: This creole chicken recipe is flexible and incredibly easy to customize! Feel free to add or swap in whatever vegetables you love, such as chiles, spinach and mushrooms!
Cajun chicken and rice ingredients
You’ll need eight easy-to-find ingredients to make this simple Louisiana chicken dinner! This cajun chicken rice recipe uses common pantry seasonings, along with fresh vegetables to keeps things quick and fuss-free without sacrificing flavor!
- Poultry: You will need four bone-in chicken thighs for this southern chicken and rice recipe. I prefer to use skin-on chicken thighs for the most flavor and juiciest texture! If you don’t like the skin, just peel it off before eating!
- Cajun seasoning: I recommend using a homemade Cajun Spice Mix for the most robust flavor!
- Oil: Use a good-quality olive oil for browning the chicken!
- Onion: One small yellow onion adds the perfect touch of strong, yet mild onion flavour!
- Bell Pepper: You can use any color of bell pepper you love – red, orange, yellow and/or green! I personally love how the sweet flavor of a red bell pepper complements the heat of the cajun spice!
- Rice: You will need 1 cup of long grain white rice for the cajun red beans and rice!
- Stock: Chicken stock (or broth) imparts savory flavor into the cajun rice and beans! I recommend using low-sodium chicken stock so you can control the level of salt!
- Red beans: The most common bean in Cajun red beans and rice is the small red bean. You can use canned red beans and kidney beans interchangeably in this cajun chicken recipe; however, please drain and rinse your beans well before using!
- Tomatoes: One can of fire-roasted tomatoes provides the perfect pops of sweet, juicy flavor!
Substitutions
- Chicken: You can use bone-in chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs if you prefer! Please note, you may have to decrease the bake time in the recipe!
- Sausage: You can swap out the chicken for andouille sausage, or use a combination of both to make cajun chicken sausage!
- Onion: If you prefer a sweeter onion flavor, you can swap out the yellow onion for red onions or shallots!
- Broth: Chicken stock is more flavorful with a richer mouthfeel; however, you can use chicken broth instead!
Variations
- Vegetarian option: You can easily make this a vegetarian meal by removing the chicken, and switching out the chicken stock for vegetable broth!
- Garlic: If you are a garlic lover, I recommend adding a few cloves of minced fresh garlic! (You can add it just before the rice in step 5!)
- Tomatoes: If fresh tomatoes are in season, stir some sweet cherry or grape tomatoes into the cajun red beans and rice before serving!
- Jalapeños: I always add jalapeños for a mild pop of spicy flavor!
- Herbs: Fresh herbs are a wonderful way to incorporate a layer of bright flavor! I recommend parsley or cilantro for this spicy cajun recipe!
- Lime: To really bring these pan-fried and oven baked chicken thighs to life, try squeezing some fresh lime over the dish just before serving! (You can use lemon juice if you are in a pinch!)
- Sauce: Drizzle a bit of Louisiana hot sauce over your chicken, rice and kidney beans for even more spicy flavor! Or try drizzling this dish with creamy remoulade sauce if you prefer a more cooling flavor!
What is cajun spice made of?
Cajun chicken seasoning is a blend of dried spices and herbs common to Cajun cuisine. The spice mix typically includes cayenne pepper, smoked paprika and garlic powder, as well as kosher salt and pepper.
You can purchase cajun or creole seasoning, or you can mix up your own by using common pantry seasonings! My homemade Cajun seasoning is the perfect blend of cayenne, smoked paprika and garlic, as well as onion powder, dried thyme, dried oregano and freshly-ground black pepper! It provides the most irresistibly robust smoky and slightly spicy flavors!
How to make Cajun Chicken?
This creole chicken with red beans and rice is so simple to prepare and only requires 15 minutes of hands on preparation!
- First you will start by seasoning the chicken generously on ALL sides with some of the delicious Cajun spice!
- Then, you heat a splash of oil in a skillet, and cook the chicken until golden brown and delicious on both sides. Transfer the chicken to the plate and set aside.
- Next, you’ll add the fresh vegetables right into the same skillet and season them liberally with salt and pepper. Cook them until they are lovely and soft!
- Reduce the heat and stir in the white rice.
- Then, pour in the stock, sprinkle in some more Cajun seasoning, and dump in the beans and tomatoes. Give everything a nice stir to combine.
- Add the chicken back to the skillet, nestling it in the rice. Cover the skillet with a lid and pop it into an oven preheated to 350-degrees Fahrenheit.
- Go pour yourself a cocktail (or a mocktail!) and come back 25 minutes later. Remove the lid and continue to bake for roughly 10 minutes or until most of the liquid is absorbed and the chicken is cooked though (to an internal temperature of 165-degrees F).
- Remove the skillet from the oven, garnish everything with some fresh herbs and little slivers of jalapeños. Grab the largest fork humanly possible and enjoy.
Tips for the best Cajun chicken and rice
- Chicken thighs: The cajun chicken recipe below calls for bone-in chicken thighs. You can either use skinless or skin-on. I recommend using skin-on (what I used), because the crispy skin is downright delicious.
- Cajun spice: You can purchase Cajun spice blend at the store, or you can make your own. I highly suggest you make your own. You probably already have all the seasonings in your pantry, and making your own is much cheaper than buying a prepared one. I included the recipe to DIY in the notes section of the recipe below.
- Oven-safe skillet: You can use any kind of skillet you would like for this recipe, but make sure it is straight sided, has a tight fitting lid, and it is oven safe. I used a 12’’ cast iron skillet.
Louisiana chicken: FAQ
Is Cajun chicken rice spicy?
Cajun chicken is mildly spicy with a subtle kick of heat. The primary heat source for this Cajun dish comes from the cayenne pepper in the cajun spice blend.
If you are making this easy cajun chicken for children, or those unable to eat spicy foods, you can reduce the amount of seasoning in the recipe. Alternatively, if you are making cajun seasoning from scratch, you can simply reduce the amount of cayenne pepper in the spice blend!
Are red beans the same as kidney beans?
No. Red beans and kidney beans are two different types of beans. Red beans are pink in color and smaller and rounder in shape, similar to a pinto bean. Kidney beans, on the other hand, are much larger with a darker crimson color.
Can I use kidney beans instead?
You can use red beans and kidney beans interchangeably in this easy cajun recipe! However, it really depends on what texture and flavor you prefer! Red beans are creamier in texture with a slightly “beanier” flavor.
What goes with cajun chicken?
This one-pot meal is fuss-free and has it all – cajun spice chicken, red beans, rice, and plenty of vegetables! However, if you are looking to serve a hungry family and want a little something on the side, then the below dishes are a great complement to this recipe!
- Hush puppies: Fluffy hush puppies are my favorite appetizer to serve with one pot cajun chicken and rice!
- Dinner rolls: Buttery, soft dinner rolls go with everything! These one-hour rolls go great with this spicy chicken dish!
- Cornbread: Sweet cornbread is a fantastic side dish to serve with this chicken rice! Add some cheddar cheese and pickled jalapeños to the batter to kick it up a notch!
- Salad: Keep it simple and use up whatever vegetables you have hanging out in your crisper drawer! Drizzle it with some spicy ranch for a quick and healthy side dish!
- Roasted veggies: For an easy side that only dirties one more dish, roast your favorite fresh vegetable! Potatoes, corn, broccoli, asparagus, collard greens and green beans are all perfect with this Louisiana chicken and rice!
How long will leftover chicken and rice keep?
Leftover Cajun chicken and rice makes a yummy heat-and-eat lunch! Allow the dish to cool completely before storing in an airtight container. Properly stored, leftovers will last in the fridge for up to 4 days. If you are looking for longer term storage, you can also freeze your leftovers! Store them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Transport your taste buds to the Big Easy and make this simple Cajun Chicken with Red Beans and Rice. Your mouth will high five you, I swear.
Until next week friends, cheers and happy cooking!
XOXO
Cheyanne
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More Cajun and Creole recipes
Are you looking for more restaurant-quality Southern recipes? Try these family favorites next!
- Cajun Shrimp Tacos with Slaw (Perfect for taco Tuesday!)
- Dirty Cajun Rice (One Pot!)
- Cajun Honey Butter Shrimp (So saucy!)
- Crispy Cajun Wings (Finger-licking good!!)
The best Cajun Chicken recipe with red beans & rice👇
Cajun Chicken with Red Beans & Rice
Equipment
- 1 Can Opener
- 1 large skillet (SEE NOTES)
- Measuring Spoons and Cups
- Large Kitchen Spoon - for mixing and stirring during cooking!
Ingredients
- 4 Chicken Thighs - Bone-in (either skin-on or skinless, depending on preference)
- 2 TBS Cajun Spice Mix - divided (SEE NOTES)
- 2 TBS Olive Oil - divided (SEE NOTES)
- 1 small Yellow Onion – peeled and diced
- 1 Red Bell Pepper – diced
- 1 Cup Long Grain Rice
- 1 ½ Cup Chicken Stock (or broth)
- 1 (15 ounce) Can Red Beans – drained and rinsed
- 1 (15 ounce) Can Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes WITH their juices
- Optional Garnishes: Chopped Fresh Parsley, Sliced Jalapeños
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Season chicken: Sprinkle 1 ½ tablespoon of the Cajun spice mixture evenly over the chicken on both sides with. Use your hands to rub the seasoning into the chicken thighs.
- Brown chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large, straight-sided skillet (with a tight fitting lid) over medium-high heat. Add chicken (skin side down) and cook until browned all over, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to a plate.
- Saute veggies: (If using skinless chicken thighs or pan is dry, add remaining tablespoon of oil). Add the onion and bell pepper. Season with generously with salt and pepper. Cook until softened, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add rice, then remaining ingredients: Reduce heat to medium and add the rice, stirring to coat. Add the stock, beans, diced tomatoes and remaining ½ tablespoon of the Cajun seasoning. Stir to combine and increase heat to medium high.
- Return chicken to pan: Add the chicken, skin side up, back to the skillet, nestling it on top of/partially in the rice. Bring contents to a simmer. Immediately cover the skillet with the lid and transfer to the preheated oven.
- Bake for 25 minutes, COVERED. Remove the lid and continue to bake, uncovered, for 10-15 minutes, or until most of the liquid is absorbed and the chicken is cooked through. Remove from oven and let sit for 5 minutes.
- Serve: Garnish with parsley and jalapeños if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
- Chicken: This cajun chicken recipe calls for bone-in chicken thighs - either skinless or skin-on! I recommend using skin-on (shown here). The skin not only protects the chicken, keeping it moist, but the crispy is skin is delicious! However, you can peel the skin off before serving to save some calories and fat!
- Skillet size: You can use any kind of skillet you would like for this recipe, but make sure it is straight sided, has a tight fitting lid, and it is oven safe. I used a 12’’ cast iron skillet.
- Cajun seasoning: You can use a store-bought cajun spice mix, or you can make your own! I highly suggest you make your own. You probably already have all the seasonings in your pantry, and making your own is much cheaper than buying a prepared one. DIY - Cajun Spice Mix: https://www.nospoonnecessary.com/cajun-spice-homemade-cajun-seasoning/
Nutrition
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I remember this one Chey! You know I’m always up for a one skillet meal and make it Cajun-flavored and I’m all about it! Delicious. Love all the new info that you’ve added too.
What a beauty, you’re too hard on yourself. I would be bummed, but I like your attitude about the drive and work loss. I have been there and it’s a shame, but we pick ourselves right back up and get busy, right?
We have such similar tastes in food and I’m sure that’s why I continue to come back here and get inspired. LOVE this one. Everything is fantastic and I also saw that pomegranate one, awesome!
I really like these photos too. The colors are so crisp and clear! Sorry, you are still having computer problems and I know from experience how frustrating they can be. Hope everything gets worked out for you soon! xo
Oh no! I’m so sorry your computer crashed and you lost so much! It’s a good reminder to me to back up, again! Sometimes I just forget! This red beans and rice dish looks perfect for Mardis Gras! Hope your weekend is awesome!
Oh gosh. How can you say these photos are not pretty? In fact, they are so beautiful, and I am not just saying it to make you feel good — I mean it. I always love the photos you click, and these are no exception. Can I pat your back? 🙂 And this skillet cajun chicken red beans rice sounds so delish. Red bell peppers, tomatoes — there is so much to love. Cheers, girl. 🙂 <3
So glad you were able to save some of your hard work. I could just dive into this pan, I don’t know where to begin, the spicy chicken, the rice and beans, the jalepenos… So delicious and flavorful!! BTW, I really like the photos but I have felt like you have many a times 😉 . Take care!
Ahhh…girl. My computer died last week too (weird coincidence?) and I’ve now dropped the almost $2000 for a new one that should be arriving any day now. Ugh. So stressful. Glad to hear you didn’t loose everything. And at least you have this delicious skillet of comfort food!
glad to know all pics were not lost! this dish sounds so good, love the beans and rice!
For the record – when this email popped up in my inbox, my first thought was “ooh that’s gotta be one of her best pictures” so lady, I can quite easily “ACT” like these are good – cos IMO they are kickass! They are so good they distract me from even reading all the ingredients – simply droolicious!
So sorry to hear you lost all that work! Ugh! But, on a lighter note – I cannot wait to see that ebook! Happy Friday to ya – love that Thursday/Friday quote – my daughter always tells me whatever makes it onto FB was first on Twitter – but don’t think I’ve heard this one before!
Yeah, I am glad you recovered some of your work. Sorry girl, that is tough. I read your last post, and my heart dropped. We all fear this!
This recipe looks lovely. I love the one pot dinner approach.
Girl, I’m glad you were able to recover as much as you were! It’s sucks to lose all your work, but at least you have something to work with. And I don’t know what you are talking about with these photos because they are AWESOME! Cheers and hugs, friend! XO
I love these photos, girl! This looks like SUCH a delicious meal – wish I could dig into it right now. Also, glad you recovered some of your photos, but I would be crying for real if I lost all of that work. My heart goes out to you, Cheyanne!!
Cheyanne!! I just started my summer diet, and you do this to me?? You give me a recipe to Skillet Cajun Chicken with Red Beans and Rice?? This is totally low-fat right?? I want this in my belly right now. Chicken and Rick makes everything right. I LOVE THESE PHOTOS!!!! I think it’s the OCD in you because these photos are bomb diggity. Oh no, you lost your press kit and your ebook??? That’s not ok!
Girl I’m definitely gonna slap you! These photos are just as pretty as always… I totally feel you though. Us type A’s are very particular and picky about little things 😉 But seriously, this chicken and rice looks amazing! I want the whole pan right now. I’m so sorry about you losing your work! What an awful thing. Glad you’re thinking positive, though! I’d probably be in the corner eating this chicken and rice while crying. LOL.
Book of face? Lol. You’ve just got all the hilarious sayings today. Wait a minute, you ALWAYS have the hilarious saying bc you’re just cool like that. 😉 As for your complaints: GIRL, what are you talkin’s about?!? OMG, that photo with the GORG-balls pops of beautiful apple green color via the jalapenos are just… amazing! Don’t be so hard on yourself! As your bestie, I order it to be! And geez… the switcharoo from external to internal: UGH!! I’m so sorry, Chey!! That seriously sucks. Well, at least you learned a big lesson and you’re still a bright side kind of gal! You know I’m always cheering you on. Big hugs & lots of even BIGGER cocktails to ya! <3 <3
Dude, we sooooo need to go drink some wine asap. hahaha I am going on week two of NO COMPUTER whatsoever and it is killing me. Hence the no posting. Because wait for it, my laptop died too. A new computer is on the way but in the mean time I don’t have access to photoshop, etc. (I am using the husband’s and I am forbidden from installing anything on it lol). Le sigh. I FEEL YOUR PAIN.
Anyway, this looks delicious!!! But really I am commenting to complain about computers 🙂 haha Forgive me??
Oh man, all of that work. Good for you being a glass-half-full kind of gal, but, still – SO frustrating!
Loving all of the great big beautiful flavors in this, Cheyanne! I’m thinking that with Cinco de Mayo coming up, a plate of this would be perfect with an ice cold margarita!
okay, I just re-read my comment and, LOL. Apparently I’m hankering for spring, because Cinco de Mayo isn’t exactly ‘coming up’. 🙂
I agree with MaryAnn…I think these photos are beautiful! Loving the rich, warm colors! This is a dish I could definitely sink my teeth into! Sorry you lost your hard work, my friend – that is quite the bummer! Quite! Hope your plans for the weekend include activities that are not computer related! Have a great one! xo
Oh dang! So sorry about the lost photos Chey! I had an issue with my computer a few months back…so stressful! UGH! I don’t know why you don’t like these photos! I think they look awesome. And this chicken sounds delicious. You know I love a good chicken thigh dinner, and I’ve even convinced Tom to come over to the dark side! Happy weekend!
Hey pretty girl, sorry to hear of the lost photos. Super big bummer. I back up to an external drive and I have Dropbox – but that’s just for unedited photos. Anyhow, glad some were saved – and as a glass half full chick also – this dinner looks absolutely delicious!!! I KNOW without a shadow of a doubt my kids will love this. They like the spice, especially Hudson, surprisingly. Thanks for another winner dinner recipe and I hope you and Boy have a fabulous weekend. We’re having an open house for our house sale this weekend and it’s so pretty out and even warmish, in the low 50’s — but all my ‘open house’ signs stuck in snowbanks around town are destined to fall over by Saturday a.m. Wish me luck!!! Have a super weekend my friend! XOXO
Damn that looks so good dude! Hope all is well you’re site is gorgeous:)
I understand that as bloggers we’re all very critical of our photos…I pick mine apart until there’s nothing left, and sometimes I don’t even want to post something because I think the photos are subpar. Posting subpar photos is like having a bad hair day. BUT these photos are no where near subpar and don’t look like a glob of color! This dish is colorful and looks downright amazing, Cheyanne! You can tell there’s so much flavor in this dish and I want it for dinner!
Flavour bomb!! This skillet Cajun chicken looks totally right up my alley.
What the heck are you talking about? Those photos are gorgeous! You cray cray, girl! Totally sucks about losing your edited and personal photos 🙁 Ugh! Freakin’ dang computer! Thumbs down, right?! Anyway, loving this dish. I would gobble this up in 10 seconds flat and if I could grab some from my screen, I would. Pinned! So many delicious flavours in one pot and that’s a winner in my books. Happy (almost) weekend. Woo hoo!! Cheers girl!
I love this dish (and your photos!). Glad you got some of your work back, at least.
Your photos are gorgeous, Cheyanne! And I’m not just saying that! Some dishes can be so hard to photograph and edit, especially when the light stinks. I’ve learned to just deal with the horrible ones and move on. And isn’t it funny that sometimes, the photos that you like the LEAST, end up being some of your most popular recipes? At least that happens to me sometimes, and that always amazes me! And yay for being able to save some of your pictures! Now onto this chicken…give me ALL of it! I’m loving the cajun flavor here, something I don’t cook with often enough. This dish is just calling my name, looks so hearty and filling. Pinned, of course! Happy almost weekend, friend!
I’m so happy to hear all your photos weren’t lost but I know how many, many hours of your time were – and I’m sorry some of that massive work is gone. And double ugh since you did have a back-up in place and it still didn’t work. Sigh… but honestly girl, these pictures are fabulous! I started drooling with the first one and then the close-ups of that juicy spiced chicken just have my eyes going all googly! Not to mention, this is ALL kinds of a perfect for meal for me! Hubs went to school in New Orleans so we love the Cajun flavors in our house and as you know, I love anything that’s easy and delicious! Total win here! Pinned (cause I want that pretty picture on my board!) and excited to try it! XO
Ohhh Cheyanne… I’m currently plugging in my external hard drive – losing all your work is TERRIBLE!! I try to remember to back my files up regularly, but I still don’t do it as often as I’d like. I’m so sad for you, but in awe that you’re still thinking ‘glass half full!’ I totally would have been super sad and mad and frustrated… Ugggh.
Anyway, next point: I love these photos! 😉 No, I’m actually serious. Most of the photos on my site WISH they looked anything like this, so I definitely think you’re being too tough on yourself! Looks delicious, and any one pan meal is MY kinda meal.
Hope you have a great weekend girlie!
Crispy skin chicken, black beans, red peppers – your Skillet Cajun Chicken with Red Beans & Rice sounds delicious and I know my boys (and I) would love it! So sorry to hear about all the important data that you have lost. It is always such a worry and backups don’t always work out – I have an automatic backup system too but it does not always do what it is supposed to so I try to backup manually every now and then. Love how positive you are about everything and your glass half full attitude. Have a wonderful weekend!