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Cajun Chicken Dirty Rice Bowl

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This bold and comforting Cajun chicken dirty rice bowl features juicy chicken thighs, smoky andouille sausage, and the classic ‘holy trinity’ of Cajun veggies, all simmered together with fragrant rice and spices. It’s a quick, crowd-pleasing dinner perfect for busy weeknights or festive gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 8 oz andouille sausage, sliced into rounds
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice
  • 2 1/4 cups chicken broth (low sodium preferred)
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • Chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
  • Sliced green onions (for garnish)
  • Hot sauce (for serving)

Instructions

  1. Chop chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces, slice sausage into rounds, dice onion, bell pepper, and celery, and mince garlic. Measure rice, broth, and seasonings.
  2. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add sausage and cook until browned and slightly crispy (3-4 minutes). Remove sausage to a plate.
  3. Add remaining 1 tbsp oil, then add chicken pieces. Season lightly with salt and pepper, and brown for 3-4 minutes, stirring to get color on all sides. Chicken does not need to be cooked through.
  4. Add onion, bell pepper, and celery to the skillet (with chicken still in the pan). Cook until veggies are softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute more.
  5. Pour in rice, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, thyme, black pepper, salt, and cayenne. Stir well so rice is coated in seasonings.
  6. Return browned sausage to the pan. Pour in chicken broth and stir to combine. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
  7. Remove pan from heat and let sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff gently with a fork.
  8. Garnish with chopped parsley and green onions. Serve hot, with hot sauce on the side.

Notes

For gluten-free, double-check sausage and Cajun seasoning labels. Brown rice can be substituted for a healthier option (increase simmer time by 10-15 minutes). Adjust cayenne and hot sauce for desired spice level. Leftovers keep well and flavors deepen overnight. For vegetarian, substitute mushrooms and chickpeas for chicken and sausage, and use vegetable broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: Cajun chicken, dirty rice, andouille sausage, easy dinner, comfort food, Louisiana, one-pot meal, spicy rice bowl, family recipe, meal prep

Find it online: https://forkifyfun.com/cajun-chicken-dirty-rice-bowl-recipe-easy-andouille-sausage-dinner/