Description
Whipping up a Cajun Shrimp Skillet brings southern spice right to your dinner table in record time. Zesty seasonings and plump shrimp create a quick, mouthwatering meal that satisfies your craving for bold, home-cooked flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 cup uncooked white rice
- 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
Vegetable Components:
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 bell peppers (any color), chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Liquids:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet with olive oil at medium-high temperature, preparing for a flavorful Cajun-style dinner.
- Quickly sear 1 pound of peeled shrimp for 1-2 minutes per side until they turn pink. Transfer the shrimp to a separate plate.
- Toss chopped onion and bell peppers into the same skillet, sautéing for 5-7 minutes until they become tender and slightly translucent.
- Add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 60 seconds, releasing their aromatic essence.
- Pour in the entire 15-ounce can of diced tomatoes, 1 cup chicken broth, and 1 cup uncooked white rice, stirring to combine all ingredients.
- Sprinkle 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning and ½ teaspoon smoked paprika over the mixture, ensuring even distribution.
- Bring the liquid to a rolling boil, then reduce heat to low, cover the skillet, and let the rice simmer for 15-20 minutes.
- Check that rice has absorbed all liquid and is tender. Gently fold the reserved shrimp back into the skillet.
- Warm the shrimp for 2-3 minutes, allowing them to reheat without overcooking.
- Season with salt and black pepper according to your taste preferences.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve your vibrant Cajun shrimp skillet immediately.
Notes
- Use a cast-iron skillet for deeper flavor development and perfect caramelization of vegetables and shrimp.
- Choose large or jumbo shrimp to prevent overcooking and ensure tender, juicy protein that stays moist during the final heating step.
- Adjust Cajun seasoning to control spice level, starting with less and adding more to suit your heat tolerance – homemade blends often taste fresher than store-bought versions.
- For a gluten-free option, confirm your chicken broth is certified gluten-free and substitute white rice with cauliflower rice for a lower-carb alternative.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-32 minutes
- Category: One-Skillet
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 315 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 195 mg