Cajun Chicken Bowl (Printable)

Flavor-packed Cajun chicken over rice with beans, corn, and peppers for a satisfying meal.

# Ingredient List:

→ Chicken

01 - 1.1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
02 - 1.5 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
03 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
04 - 0.5 teaspoon salt
05 - 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

→ Rice

06 - 1 cup long-grain white rice
07 - 2 cups water
08 - 0.5 teaspoon salt

→ Vegetables and Beans

09 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
10 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
11 - 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
12 - 1 small red onion, diced
13 - 1 cup sweet corn kernels
14 - 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed

→ Garnishes

15 - 1 avocado, sliced
16 - Fresh cilantro, chopped
17 - Lime wedges

# How-to Steps:

01 - Rinse rice under cold water. In a medium saucepan, combine rice, water, and salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until rice is tender and water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
02 - In a medium bowl, toss chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook 5 to 7 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and rest for 2 minutes, then slice.
03 - In the same skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add bell peppers and red onion, sautéing for 4 to 5 minutes until softened. Stir in corn and black beans, cooking for 2 minutes until heated through. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
04 - Divide cooked rice among 4 bowls. Top with sautéed vegetables and beans, then sliced chicken. Garnish with avocado slices, fresh cilantro, and lime wedges.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The Cajun seasoning does all the heavy lifting flavor-wise, so you're basically guaranteed a delicious result without overthinking it.
  • Everything comes together in under 45 minutes, which means you can have this on the table on a weeknight without stress.
  • It's endlessly customizable depending on what's in your fridge, so it never feels boring even when you make it repeatedly.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the rice, it's the difference between fluffy individual grains and a gluey mess, and the step takes literally 45 seconds.
  • Thighs are more forgiving than breasts if you're new to cooking chicken, they have more fat so they stay juicy even if you cook them a bit longer than intended.
  • The lime wedge isn't optional decoration, the acidity it adds brightens everything and ties all those flavors together in a way that makes the entire bowl taste better.
03 -
  • Buy pre-cut stir-fry vegetable mixes from the grocery store if you're short on time, the flavor sacrifice is minimal and the convenience is genuinely worth it on busy weeknights.
  • Toast your Cajun seasoning in a dry pan for 30 seconds before mixing it with the chicken if you want the spices to taste even more vibrant and aromatic.
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