Description
Cajun Chicken with Coriander Lime Rice brings zesty southern spice straight to your dinner table in less than half an hour. Sprinkling bold Cajun seasoning over tender chicken creates a quick, satisfying meal that delivers serious flavor without complicated cooking.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 2 chicken breasts
Starches:
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
Seasonings and Aromatics:
- 2 tablespoons cajun seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro
- 2 limes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon butter
Instructions
- Grab paper towels and thoroughly blot 2 chicken breasts to eliminate excess moisture.
- Generously coat both sides of chicken with 2 tbsp cajun seasoning, pressing firmly to ensure complete coverage.
- Pour 1 tbsp olive oil into a large skillet and warm over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes until oil starts shimmering.
- Carefully place seasoned chicken breasts into hot skillet, allowing them to cook undisturbed for 6-7 minutes until achieving a rich golden-brown exterior.
- Gently turn chicken and continue cooking opposite side for 5-6 minutes, confirming internal temperature reaches exactly 165°F with a meat thermometer.
- Transfer chicken to a cutting board and allow 5 minutes of resting time to redistribute internal juices.
- Combine 1 cup rice, 2 cups chicken broth, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp salt, and ½ tsp black pepper in a separate saucepan.
- Increase heat until rice mixture reaches a rolling boil, then immediately reduce to lowest setting and cover with a tight lid.
- Simmer rice for precisely 18-20 minutes without disturbing lid, ensuring complete liquid absorption.
- Remove rice from heat and let stand, covered, for an additional 5 minutes.
- Use a fork to delicately separate and fluff rice grains, then fold in 1 tbsp butter.
- Grate zest from 1 lime and squeeze juice from both limes directly into prepared rice.
- Finely chop ¼ cup fresh cilantro and thoroughly integrate into rice mixture.
- Slice rested chicken into diagonal strips and serve atop fragrant cilantro-lime rice.
Notes
- Pat chicken breasts thoroughly to help cajun seasoning stick better and create a crispier exterior.
- Use a meat thermometer to check chicken doneness, avoiding overcooking which can make the meat dry and tough.
- For a lower-carb version, swap rice with cauliflower rice or serve over roasted vegetables.
- Enhance flavor by making homemade cajun seasoning with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, cayenne, and salt for a more personalized taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Sautéed
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 540 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 1150 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg