Cajun Chicken Bowl (Print)

Vibrant Cajun-spiced chicken over fluffy rice with black beans, sweet corn and peppers for a satisfying Southern-inspired meal.

# Ingredients:

→ 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 black beans, drained and rinsed

→ Garnishes

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

# Directions:

01 - Rinse rice under cold water. In a medium saucepan, combine rice, water, and salt. Bring to a boil, then 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 for 5 to 7 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and let 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. Sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until softened. Stir in corn and black beans; cook for 2 minutes until heated through. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
04 - Divide cooked rice evenly among 4 bowls. Top with sautéed vegetables and beans, then sliced chicken. Garnish with avocado slices, fresh cilantro, and lime wedges.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in under 45 minutes, so you can pull together a vibrant, satisfying dinner even after a long day.
  • The Cajun spice gives the chicken a bold, smoky kick without needing a marinade or complicated prep.
  • Each bowl is packed with color, texture, and protein, so it feels like a treat but keeps you full for hours.
  • You can swap ingredients based on what's in your fridge and it still tastes incredible every time.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the rice, or you'll end up with a sticky, clumpy base instead of light, fluffy grains.
  • Let the chicken rest for a couple of minutes after cooking so the juices redistribute and every slice stays moist.
  • If your skillet isn't hot enough when you add the chicken, it will steam instead of getting that beautiful golden crust.
03 -
  • Use the same skillet for the chicken and vegetables so the spices left behind flavor everything that follows.
  • If your Cajun seasoning is salt-heavy, go light on the extra salt until you taste the finished dish.
  • Let the rice sit covered off the heat for five minutes after cooking, it steams itself to perfection without any effort.
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