Oven-Baked Blackened Shrimp with Cajun Rice
Juicy blackened shrimp baked in the oven paired with flavorful Cajun-spiced rice for a vibrant Southern-inspired meal. This southern american-inspired seafood ready in about 40 minutes pairs peeled and deveined large shrimp, cajun seasoning, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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, peeled and deveined large shrimp
- 2 tbsp cajun seasoning
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 medium, diced bell pepper
- 1 small, diced onion
- 1, diced celery stalk
- 2 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2, sliced for garnish green onions
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). In a medium bowl, toss 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp with 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning and 1 tbsp olive oil until evenly coated.
- Step 2: Spread shrimp in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 8-10 minutes until shrimp are opaque and slightly charred at the edges.
- Step 3: While shrimp bake, melt 2 tbsp butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 diced medium bell pepper, 1 small diced onion, 1 diced celery stalk, and 2 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables are tender.
- Step 4: Stir in 1 cup long grain white rice, coating it in the butter and vegetables for 2 minutes.
- Step 5: Pour in 2 cups chicken broth, add 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18 minutes until rice is fluffy and liquid is absorbed.
- Step 6: Fluff rice with a fork and transfer to serving plates. Top with oven-baked blackened shrimp and garnish with 2 sliced green onions. Serve hot.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Oven-Baked Blackened Shrimp with Cajun Rice take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 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 Oven-Baked Blackened Shrimp with Cajun 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 cajun seasoning from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Oven-Baked Blackened Shrimp with Cajun 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 Oven-Baked Blackened Shrimp with Cajun 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 Oven-Baked Blackened Shrimp with Cajun Rice?
Southern American seafood 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.
