One-Pot Cajun Chicken and Rice
A vibrant one-pot meal with tender chicken, spicy andouille sausage, and fluffy rice simmered in a flavorful Cajun sauce. This cajun-inspired one pot ready in about 60 minutes pairs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, sliced andouille sausage, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 500 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 8 oz, sliced andouille sausage
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, diced onion
- 1 stalk, diced celery
- 1 medium, diced bell pepper
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 14 oz, diced canned tomatoes
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 cup, long-grain rice
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat 1 lb bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs dry and season with 1/2 tsp salt. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add chicken skin-side down and sear for 5 minutes until golden, then flip and cook for 3 more minutes.
- Step 2: Add 8 oz sliced andouille sausage to the pot and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in 1 medium diced onion, 1 stalk diced celery, 1 medium diced bell pepper, and 2 minced garlic cloves. Cook for 5 minutes until vegetables soften.
- Step 3: Pour in 14 oz diced canned tomatoes and 1 cup chicken broth, scraping the pot bottom. Add 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp paprika, and 1 cup long-grain rice. Bring to a simmer.
- Step 4: Cover and reduce heat to low. Cook for 25 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed, stirring once halfway through.
- Step 5: Remove chicken skin, discard, and slice meat off bones. Serve rice and chicken together.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Cajun Chicken and Rice take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (15 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover One-Pot Cajun Chicken and Rice?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep sliced andouille sausage from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Cajun Chicken and Rice?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale One-Pot Cajun Chicken and Rice for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with One-Pot Cajun Chicken and Rice?
Cajun one pot like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Restaurant quality! Can't believe how easy this was.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
