Cajun Chicken and Rice Casserole (Print)

Chicken, bell peppers, rice, Cajun spices, and cheese bake together for a flavorful, comforting main dish.

# Ingredients:

→ Chicken

01 - 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning

→ Vegetables

04 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
05 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
06 - 1 green bell pepper, diced
07 - 2 celery stalks, diced
08 - 3 garlic cloves, minced

→ Rice & Liquid

09 - 1.5 cups long-grain white rice, rinsed
10 - 2.5 cups low-sodium chicken broth
11 - 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes, drained
12 - 1 cup heavy cream

→ Cheese & Garnish

13 - 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
14 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

→ Seasoning

15 - 1 tsp salt
16 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
17 - 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)

# Instructions:

01 - Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - In a medium bowl, toss the chicken pieces with olive oil and Cajun seasoning until they are evenly coated.
03 - Evenly distribute the rinsed rice in the prepared baking dish. Top the rice with the diced onion, bell peppers, celery, and minced garlic.
04 - Arrange the seasoned chicken pieces uniformly over the layer of vegetables.
05 - In a separate bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, drained diced tomatoes, heavy cream, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper (if using). Pour this mixtureevenly over the entire casserole.
06 - Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 40 minutes.
07 - Remove the foil. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. Return to the oven uncovered and bake for an additional 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the chicken is cooked through.
08 - Allow the casserole to rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley.

# Pro Tips:

01 -
  • Uses mostly pantry staples and affordable ingredients
  • One-pan meal with minimal cleanup
  • Perfectly creamy and flavorful with just the right amount of spice
  • Easily customized for your family's taste and heat preferences
02 -
  • High in protein and family friendly
  • Naturally gluten free when using the right broth and ingredients
  • Makes excellent leftovers that taste even better the next day
03 -
  • Always rinse your rice before layering to keep the grains separate
  • For maximum depth toast your Cajun seasoning for a minute in a dry pan before adding to the chicken
  • Let it rest after baking to avoid soupy servings Your patience pays off with perfect creamy squares

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