This Cajun shrimp and chicken rice is one of those hearty skillet dinners that brings plenty of smoky, buttery flavor to the table. Tender shrimp, seasoned chicken, and smoked sausage all cook together with rice in one pan, making this a satisfying, complete meal with minimal cleanup.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Three proteins, one skillet. Chicken, shrimp, and sausage all bring their own flavor to this hearty dish.
- Rice cooks right in the pan. It soaks up all that smoky, buttery Cajun flavor as it simmers.
- A true one-pot meal. Everything comes together in a single skillet for easy cleanup.
- Great for feeding a crowd. Serves 6, making it perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into pieces
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 8 oz smoked sausage, sliced
- 1 cup uncooked long grain white rice
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp onion powder
- Salt, to taste
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- ½ lemon, optional
How to Make Cajun Chicken, Shrimp & Sausage Rice
1. Season the chicken and shrimp. Season the chicken and shrimp with Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, black pepper, thyme, and onion powder.
2. Brown the sausage. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced sausage and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until browned. Remove and set aside.
3. Cook the chicken. Add the seasoned chicken to the skillet and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, until browned and nearly cooked through. Remove and set aside.
4. Sauté the vegetables. Add the butter, onion, and bell pepper. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
5. Toast the rice. Add the uncooked rice and stir for 1 to 2 minutes, coating the grains in the seasoned butter.
6. Simmer everything together. Pour in the chicken broth, then return the chicken and sausage to the skillet. Stir well, cover, and simmer over low heat for 15 to 18 minutes, until the rice is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
7. Add the shrimp. Arrange the shrimp over the rice. Cover and cook for another 4 to 5 minutes, until the shrimp are pink, opaque, and fully cooked.
8. Finish and serve. Gently fluff the Cajun rice and sprinkle with fresh parsley. Finish with fresh lemon juice, if desired, and serve hot.
Tips for the Best Cajun Chicken, Shrimp & Sausage Rice
- Toast the rice before adding the broth. This step adds flavor and helps the grains cook up fluffy instead of mushy.
- Keep the lid on while simmering. This traps steam and helps the rice cook evenly without drying out.
- Add the shrimp on top rather than stirring them in. This keeps them from overcooking while the rice finishes.
- Fluff gently with a fork before serving. This keeps the rice light instead of compacted.
What to Serve with Cajun Chicken, Shrimp & Sausage Rice
This dish is a complete meal on its own, but a simple side salad or crusty bread can be added if you’d like to round things out further.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different sausage?
Yes, andouille sausage is a traditional and flavorful option if you’d like even more smoky depth.
Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?
Yes, but brown rice takes longer to cook, so you’ll need to increase the simmering time and possibly add more broth.
Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes, just thaw completely and pat dry before adding to the skillet.
Cajun Chicken, Shrimp & Sausage Rice
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Season the chicken and shrimp with Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, black pepper, thyme, and onion powder.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced sausage and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until browned. Remove and set aside.
- Add the seasoned chicken to the skillet and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, until browned and nearly cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Add the butter, onion, and bell pepper. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
- Add the uncooked rice and stir for 1 to 2 minutes, coating the grains in the seasoned butter.
- Pour in the chicken broth, then return the chicken and sausage to the skillet. Stir well, cover, and simmer over low heat for 15 to 18 minutes, until the rice is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
- Arrange the shrimp over the rice. Cover and cook for another 4 to 5 minutes, until the shrimp are pink, opaque, and fully cooked.
- Gently fluff the Cajun rice and sprinkle with fresh parsley. Finish with fresh lemon juice if desired and serve the chicken, shrimp, and sausage rice hot.
