Cajun Dirty Rice Shrimp Sausage (Print)

Fluffy rice tossed with spiced sausage, aromatic veggies, and succulent shrimp bursting with bold flavors.

# Ingredients:

→ Proteins

01 - 8 oz smoked andouille sausage, sliced
02 - 8 oz large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
03 - 5 oz chicken livers, finely chopped (optional)

→ Rice

04 - 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked

→ Vegetables

05 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
06 - 1 green bell pepper, diced
07 - 2 celery stalks, diced
08 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
09 - 2 spring onions, sliced for garnish

→ Spices and Herbs

10 - 1 1/2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning, plus extra to taste
11 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
12 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
13 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
14 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
15 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Liquids

16 - 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
17 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or unsalted butter

# Instructions:

01 - Rinse rice under cold water until water runs clear. Set aside to drain.
02 - Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced sausage and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until browned. Remove and set aside.
03 - Add remaining oil to the pan. If using chicken livers, sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove and set aside with sausage.
04 - Add onion, bell pepper, and celery to the pan. Sauté for 5 to 6 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute.
05 - Stir in rice and toast for 2 minutes, coating grains in oil and aromatics.
06 - Add Cajun seasoning, paprika, thyme, oregano, cayenne, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
07 - Return sausage and livers if using to the pan. Pour in chicken broth, scraping any browned bits from the bottom. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook for 15 minutes.
08 - Arrange shrimp on top of rice. Cover and cook for 5 to 7 minutes until shrimp are pink and rice is tender.
09 - Remove from heat, fluff rice with a fork, and let rest for 5 minutes.
10 - Garnish with spring onions. Serve hot.

# Pro Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together faster than you'd expect, and tastes like you've been cooking all day.
  • One pan means less cleanup, but the flavors feel impressively complex.
  • The shrimp and sausage make it feel fancy enough for guests, yet comforting enough to eat in your pajamas.
02 -
  • Don't stir the shrimp into the rice while it's cooking; lay them on top so they steam gently instead of getting buried and overcooked.
  • The moment the rice finishes cooking is crucial; removing the lid early lets steam escape and can leave the rice underdone, while leaving it covered too long makes it mushy.
03 -
  • Toasting the rice for those two minutes before adding liquid creates a subtle nuttiness that elevates the entire dish from good to memorable.
  • Keep your chicken broth at a gentle simmer rather than a rolling boil; aggressive heat can make the rice cook unevenly and burst.
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