Description
This Easy One Pot Cajun Shrimp & Rice recipe bursts with flavor, offering a comforting and satisfying meal with minimal cleanup. It combines tender shrimp, fluffy rice, and bold Cajun spices all cooked in a single pot.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb Shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 1 cup Long-grain white rice
- 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 cup Bell peppers (red or green, chopped)
- 1 medium Onion (chopped)
- 3 cloves Garlic cloves (minced)
- 4 cups Chicken broth
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 can Diced tomatoes (with juices)
- 2 tbsp Fresh parsley or green onions (chopped, for garnish)
- 1 Lemon (cut into wedges, for serving)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large pot until shimmering, about 1 minute.
- Add chopped onion, bell peppers, and minced garlic; cook until vegetables soften and turn translucent, about 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Sprinkle Cajun seasoning over vegetables and stir for 30 seconds until spices bloom and become fragrant.
- Pour in rice, diced tomatoes (with juices), and chicken broth. Stir to combine, ensuring rice is submerged evenly.
- Bring mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and cook until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed, about 18 minutes.
- Gently nestle peeled, deveined shrimp on top of the rice.
- Cover and cook until shrimp turn pink and curl slightly, about 4 minutes.
- Remove pot from heat and let rest, covered, for 5 minutes.
- Uncover and fluff rice and shrimp with a fork.
- Sprinkle with chopped parsley or green onions, and serve with lemon wedges.
Notes
- Optional: Add a dash of hot sauce for extra heat.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat gently on the stove or microwave, adding a splash of water for moisture.
- This dish can be frozen for up to 2 months. Cool completely, portion into freezer-safe containers, and seal tightly. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat on the stove over medium heat, adding broth or water to prevent sticking.
- For meal prep, chop vegetables ahead of time and store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Adjust Cajun seasoning to your taste.
- Substitute shrimp with chicken, sausage, or tofu.
- Add other vegetables like zucchini, corn, or kale.
- Use vegetable broth or seafood stock instead of chicken broth.
- Brown rice or quinoa can be used, but cooking times may vary.
- Stir in heavy cream or sour cream before serving for a creamy texture.
- Garnish with fresh thyme or cilantro.
- Add diced jalapeños or cayenne pepper for extra spice.
- Use fresh or properly thawed shrimp.
- Do not skip toasting the spices.
- Measure liquid carefully.
- Add shrimp last for perfect cooking.
- Rest the pot before fluffing.
- Customize spice level after cooking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: One Pot
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 1200 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 200 mg