Pan-Seared Catfish with Cajun-Spiced Dirty Rice
Tender catfish fillets pan-seared with Cajun spices served alongside flavorful dirty rice loaded with bell peppers and herbs. This southern-inspired seafood ready in about 40 minutes pairs catfish fillets, olive oil, Cajun seasoning 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
- 4 (6 oz each) catfish fillets
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup green bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup onion, diced
- 1/2 cup celery stalk, diced
- 2 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp butter
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 cup long-grain white rice under cold water until water runs clear. In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups chicken broth to a boil. Add rice, cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 18 minutes until rice is tender. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork.
- Step 2: While rice cooks, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1/2 cup diced green bell pepper, 1/2 cup diced onion, and 1/2 cup diced celery. Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables soften.
- Step 3: Add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the cooked rice, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley. Mix well and keep warm.
- Step 4: Pat dry 4 catfish fillets and season both sides evenly with 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning.
- Step 5: Heat remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add catfish fillets and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through, with internal temperature reaching 145°F.
- Step 6: Plate the catfish over a bed of dirty rice and garnish with additional parsley if desired.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Catfish with Cajun-Spiced Dirty 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 Pan-Seared Catfish with Cajun-Spiced Dirty Rice?
Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Catfish with Cajun-Spiced Dirty 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 Pan-Seared Catfish with Cajun-Spiced Dirty 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 Pan-Seared Catfish with Cajun-Spiced Dirty Rice?
Southern 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.
