One Pot Cajun Chicken Rice is my secret weapon when the fridge is looking sad and the dishes are already piled high. It’s spicy, smoky, and somehow makes a single chicken thigh feel like a feast. You toss everything into one pan—chicken, rice, veggies, and a kick of Cajun seasoning—and in about 30 minutes, you’ve got a meal that hits every craving without dirtying half your kitchen. If you’re cooking for one and tired of the same three meals on repeat, this one’s for you. Bonus: no judgment if you eat it straight from the pan (I always do).
Table of Contents
Why One Pot Cajun Chicken Rice Is the Perfect Meal for One
Here’s the thing about one-pot meals—they’re made for people who don’t want a mountain of dishes, but still want a meal with layers of flavor. This recipe checks every box:
- Chicken gets seared for maximum flavor
- Veggies add texture and color
- Rice soaks up all the spices and juices in one pan
It’s a spicy twist on the classic one pot chicken and rice, but scaled down perfectly for one. You don’t need a pantry full of ingredients. Just a handful of basics, a bold seasoning blend, and a bit of stovetop patience. And the best part? No guessing with portion sizes. One pot. One person. One seriously satisfying dinner.
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One Pot Cajun Chicken Rice – Easy Spicy Skillet Dinner for One
- Total Time: 30 mins
- Yield: 1
Description
One Pot Cajun Chicken Rice is a spicy, solo-sized meal cooked in one skillet for easy cleanup and maximum flavor.
Ingredients
1 boneless skinless chicken thigh
1/4 cup long grain or basmati rice, rinsed
1/4 cup onion, chopped
1/4 cup bell pepper, diced
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 tomato, chopped
1–1.25 tsp Cajun seasoning
3/4 cup water or broth
1 tsp oil
Salt & pepper to taste
Optional: lemon wedge, parsley
Instructions
1. Slice and marinate the chicken with Cajun seasoning and oil
2. Sear chicken in skillet until browned, remove
3. Sauté onion, pepper, garlic, and tomato
4. Stir in Cajun seasoning and rinsed rice
5. Add broth and return chicken to pan
6. Cover and simmer until rice is tender
7. Let rest 5 minutes, fluff and serve with lemon
Notes
Best with long grain or basmati rice
Add shrimp or sausage for variation
Store leftovers in fridge for 3 days
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Category: One Pot Meals
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: one pot Cajun chicken rice, skillet chicken rice, solo dinner, Cajun rice for one
Ingredients, Prep, and Cajun Know-How
What Ingredients You Need to Make One Pot Cajun Chicken Rice
You don’t need to raid the spice aisle or buy a week’s worth of groceries to make this work. One Pot Cajun Chicken Rice thrives on simplicity—just the right combo of staples that bring bold flavor in one go.
Here’s a breakdown of what you need:
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken thigh (boneless, skinless) | 1 piece | Thigh adds more flavor, but breast works too |
| Long grain or basmati rice | 1/4 cup | Rinsed well before cooking |
| Cajun seasoning | 1 to 1.25 tsp | Adjust to taste; some blends are saltier |
| Onion & bell pepper | 1/4 cup each | Any color pepper works |
| Garlic & tomato | 1 clove & 1/2 tomato | Or use 1 tbsp canned tomatoes |
| Water or broth | 3/4 cup | Broth adds extra depth |
For Cajun seasoning, a homemade mix of paprika, garlic powder, oregano, thyme, and cayenne gives you control over salt and heat. And if you’re skipping rice, cauliflower rice is a decent stand-in—just sauté it briefly and skip the simmering step.
If you’re craving something more citrus-forward, the chicken and rice with caramelized lemon is another great solo skillet option worth bookmarking.
Tips for Choosing the Right Cajun Seasoning and Rice Type
Need help picking the best seasoning and rice for your One Pot Cajun Chicken Rice? Here’s what works (and what to skip):
Cajun Seasoning Tips:
- Cajun spice blends vary—some are salt-heavy, others bold on garlic, paprika, or cayenne.
- Always taste as you go. Start with a small amount and adjust for heat and salt.
- For full control, make your own blend:
- 1 part paprika
- 1/2 part garlic powder
- 1/2 part dried oregano
- A pinch of thyme and cayenne
- Optional: a small pinch of salt
- Store your mix in a spice jar—it’s great on eggs, veggies, and roasted potatoes too.
Best Rice for One Pot Cajun Chicken Rice:
- Use long grain or basmati rice—they stay fluffy and absorb flavor beautifully.
- Avoid short grain or sticky rice like sushi rice—it turns mushy in one-pot dishes.
- For a low-carb version, cauliflower rice works. Just sauté it separately and stir in near the end.
How to Make One Pot Cajun Chicken Rice (Step-by-Step)
Ready in 30 minutes and perfect for one skillet, this spicy One Pot Cajun Chicken Rice recipe delivers big flavor with minimal cleanup.
Here’s exactly how to make One Pot Cajun Chicken Rice from start to finish:
- Marinate the chicken
Slice 1 boneless, skinless chicken thigh (or half a breast) into bite-size pieces. Toss with 1 tsp Cajun seasoning, a splash of lemon juice (optional), and 1/2 tsp oil. Let it sit while you prep the rest. - Sear the chicken
Heat 1 tsp oil in a small skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer. Let it cook undisturbed for 2–3 minutes for a golden crust. Flip and cook 2 minutes more. Remove and set aside. - Sauté the veggies
In the same pan, add 1/4 cup chopped onion, 1/4 cup diced bell pepper, and 1 minced garlic clove. Stir for 2–3 minutes until soft. Add 1/2 chopped tomato and cook until it breaks down—about 2 more minutes. - Add rice and spices
Sprinkle in another 1/2 tsp Cajun seasoning. Stir in 1/4 cup rinsed long grain or basmati rice to coat the grains in the oil and spices. - Pour in liquid
Add 3/4 cup broth or water. Sprinkle in salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a gentle boil. - Simmer with chicken
Return the seared chicken to the pan. Lower heat, cover with a lid or foil, and simmer for 15–18 minutes until the rice is tender and liquid is absorbed. - Let it rest
Turn off the heat and keep the lid on for 5 more minutes. This helps the rice finish steaming without overcooking. - Finish and serve
Fluff the rice gently with a fork. Squeeze over lemon juice and top with parsley, green onion, or red pepper flakes if you like. Serve hot—straight from the pan if you’re like me.
This One Pot Cajun Chicken Rice recipe has all the things I love in a solo meal: quick cleanup, bold flavor, and enough wiggle room to make it your own. You can even sub in frozen peppers or use rotisserie chicken to save time.
FAQ
1. Can you use Cajun seasoning on rice?
Yes, Cajun seasoning adds spicy flavor to rice. Add it while cooking for even flavor or mix it into hot, cooked rice with a little oil or butter.
2. What type of rice is best for One Pot Cajun Chicken Rice?
Use long grain or basmati rice. They stay fluffy and absorb seasoning without turning mushy.
3. Can you make Cajun rice in a rice cooker?
Yes. Add rinsed rice, broth, Cajun seasoning, and cooked chicken to your rice cooker. Use a 1:2 rice-to-liquid ratio and cook on the white rice setting.
4. How do you store leftover Cajun chicken rice?
Cool it, store in an airtight container, and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat with a splash of broth and fluff before serving.
Wrap It Up
One Pot Cajun Chicken Rice gives you bold, home-cooked flavor without the pile of dishes. It’s spicy, fast, and solo-cook friendly from start to finish. Craving a twist? Swap in shrimp or sausage next time or head in a bold, spicy direction with this one pot jerk chicken and rice—same one-skillet ease, totally different flavor vibe.
Tried it? Let me know how it turned out. You’ve got one pan. Let’s make it count.
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