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Cajun Shrimp and Rice Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 136 reviews

This Cajun Shrimp and Rice recipe offers a vibrant, flavorful one-pot meal featuring tender shrimp seasoned with Cajun spices, sautéed with onions and bell peppers, and combined with perfectly cooked long-grain rice. The dish is enhanced with butter for richness, garnished with fresh parsley, and served with lemon wedges for a bright, tangy finish. Ideal for a quick and satisfying dinner with Southern flair.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables & Aromatics

  • 1 large yellow onion, diced (about 1 ½ cups)
  • 1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
  • 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
  • parsley, chopped for garnish
  • 1 medium lemon, cut into wedges

Protein

  • 1 pound large uncooked shrimp, peeled and deveined

Grains & Broth

  • 1 ½ cups (277.5 g) uncooked long-grain white rice
  • 3 cups (720 g) chicken broth

Fats & Seasonings

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning, divided

Instructions

  1. Melt butter in pot: In a large pot with a tight-fitting lid, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat to prepare for sautéing the vegetables.
  2. Cook onion and bell pepper: Add the diced onion and red bell pepper to the melted butter. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften, about 3-4 minutes.
  3. Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
  4. Stir in rice and Cajun seasoning: Add the uncooked long-grain white rice along with 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning. Stir well to coat the rice evenly with the seasoning and mix with the vegetables.
  5. Pour in chicken broth and simmer: Pour the chicken broth into the pot and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover with the lid, and simmer for 15-20 minutes until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
  6. Let rice rest and fluff: Remove the pot from the heat and keep it covered. Let the rice sit for 5 minutes to steam, then fluff it gently with a fork.
  7. Season shrimp: While the rice rests, place the peeled and deveined shrimp in a large bowl and toss with the remaining 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning to coat evenly.
  8. Melt butter in skillet: Heat a large non-stick skillet over high heat and melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter.
  9. Cook shrimp: Add the seasoned shrimp to the skillet in an even layer. Cook them for 2-3 minutes on each side, ensuring they are fully cooked but not overdone to avoid rubbery texture.
  10. Combine shrimp with rice: Gently fold the cooked Cajun shrimp into the rice and vegetable mixture until well combined.
  11. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the dish and serve with lemon wedges on the side to squeeze over the top for extra brightness.

Notes

  • Use a tight-fitting lid when cooking rice to ensure proper steaming and absorption of liquid.
  • Do not overcook the shrimp; it should be opaque and slightly firm.
  • Adjust Cajun seasoning quantity based on desired spice level.
  • To make this dish gluten free, verify that the Cajun seasoning blend used does not contain gluten.
  • Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Keywords: Cajun shrimp, Cajun rice, shrimp and rice, one pot meal, Cajun seasoning, easy dinner, Southern cooking

Find it online: https://trendytasterecipes.com/cajun-shrimp-and-rice-recipe/