Description
Cajun Chicken Sweet Peppers brings sizzling Southern spice right to your dinner table, blending bold Creole flavors with colorful bell peppers that dance across your plate. Spicy, juicy chicken chunks nestled in a pepper medley make this quick weeknight meal a total crowd-pleaser for your hungry family.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Proteins:
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Seasoning Blend:
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 3 bell peppers
- 1 large onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Salt
- Pepper
Accompaniments:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Cooked rice
- Chopped fresh parsley
- Hot sauce
- Sour cream
Instructions
- Pound two chicken breasts to an even ½-inch thickness using plastic wrap and a meat mallet.
- Mix 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, and optional ¼ teaspoon cayenne in a small bowl.
- Thoroughly coat each chicken breast with the seasoning blend, pressing the spices into the meat.
- Let the seasoned chicken rest in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to enhance flavor absorption.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Place chicken breasts in the hot skillet and sear for 4-5 minutes per side, developing a golden-brown exterior.
- Verify chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165F using a meat thermometer.
- Transfer cooked chicken to a cutting board and allow to rest for 5-7 minutes.
- Slice chicken breasts into thin, diagonal strips against the grain.
- Wipe the skillet clean and add another 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat.
- Add 3 sliced bell peppers and 1 large sliced onion to the skillet, sauteing for 8-10 minutes until peppers are tender-crisp.
- Stir in 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, ½ teaspoon dried basil, and optional red pepper flakes.
- Season vegetables with salt and pepper to your taste preference.
- Introduce sliced chicken to the vegetable mixture, gently tossing to combine.
- Warm the entire dish for an additional 2-3 minutes.
- Serve over hot rice or quinoa, creating a vibrant and flavorful meal.
- Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley on top for brightness and color.
- Provide hot sauce and sour cream as optional accompaniments for personalized flavor.
Notes
- Pound the chicken evenly to ensure consistent cooking and prevent dry edges.
- Use fresh bell peppers for maximum crunch and vibrant color in your dish.
- Let the chicken rest after cooking to keep the meat juicy and prevent moisture loss during slicing.
- Adjust the Cajun seasoning intensity by increasing or decreasing cayenne pepper for personal heat preference.
- Prep Time: 35-45 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Sautéed
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg