Description
Spicy Cajun BBQ Chicken & Rice Skillet combines bold Southern flavors that dance across your dinner plate with smoky, zesty excitement. Sizzling chicken nestled in perfectly seasoned rice makes weeknight cooking feel like a Louisiana celebration right in your kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
Grains:
- 2 cups long grain white rice
Flavor Base:
- ¼ cup BBQ sauce
- 2 tablespoons cajun seasoning
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup green onions, chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Chop bell pepper, onion, and garlic into uniform small pieces for even cooking and distribution.
- Sprinkle 2 tablespoons cajun seasoning, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper evenly over 1.5 pounds chicken thighs to create a flavorful coating.
- Pour 1 tablespoon olive oil into a large skillet, heating over medium-high heat until oil shimmers and surface looks glossy.
- Lay seasoned chicken thighs into hot skillet, searing for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Transfer cooked chicken to a separate plate, keeping it warm and juicy.
- Drop diced onions and bell peppers into the same skillet, sautéing for 3-4 minutes until vegetables soften and become translucent.
- Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, releasing aromatic flavors without burning.
- Mix 2 cups long grain white rice, 1 cup chicken broth, and ¼ cup BBQ sauce directly into skillet, stirring to combine ingredients thoroughly.
- Reduce heat to low, cover skillet, and simmer rice for 18-20 minutes until liquid completely absorbs.
- Nestle seared chicken pieces back into the rice, creating a cozy one-pan meal.
- Cover skillet and warm chicken for 2-3 minutes to reheat thoroughly.
- Sprinkle ¼ cup chopped green onions across the top for fresh, bright flavor.
- Allow dish to rest for 5 minutes, letting flavors meld and settle before serving.
Notes
- Use a cast-iron skillet for the best heat distribution and flavor development.
- Pat chicken thighs completely dry before seasoning to ensure a perfect golden-brown sear.
- For a gluten-free version, choose a certified gluten-free BBQ sauce and check your cajun seasoning blend.
- Swap chicken thighs with chicken breasts if preferred, but reduce cooking time to prevent drying out the meat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 32-37 minutes
- Category: One-Skillet
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 371 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 630 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg