Ready to kick up your dinner game? This Instant Pot Cajun Chicken and Rice Recipe is bursting with bold flavors and comes together in no time. Juicy chicken, perfectly seasoned rice, and a medley of Cajun spices make this dish a winner. It’s an easy, one-pot meal that’s perfect for busy nights when you want something delicious and satisfying. Let’s get cooking and bring a taste of Louisiana to your table!
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Why This Recipe Works
- Bold Flavors: The Cajun seasoning and andouille sausage bring a spicy kick that’s full of flavor.
- One-Pot Wonder: This Instant Pot chicken recipe is a complete meal made entirely in the Instant Pot, making cleanup a breeze.
- Hearty and Satisfying: With tender chicken, rice, and a medley of vegetables, Instant Pot Cajun chicken and rice is a comforting and filling dish.
🥘 Ingredients
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs: Tender and flavorful base for the dish.
- Cajun Seasoning (like Slap Yo Mama): Adds a spicy and robust flavor.
- Salt: Enhances the overall taste.
- Dried Oregano: Adds a subtle earthy flavor.
- Black Pepper: Provides a hint of heat and depth.
- Olive Oil: Used for sautéing and adding richness.
- Yellow Onion, Diced: Adds sweetness and depth of flavor.
- Red Bell Peppers, Seeded and Diced: Add color and sweetness.
- Green Bell Peppers, Seeded and Diced: Contribute to the Cajun flavor profile.
- Celery, Diced: Adds crunch and aromatic flavor.
- Garlic, Minced: Infuses the dish with a rich, aromatic flavor.
- Chicken Stock, Divided: Provides moisture and enhances the flavor.
- Long Grain White Rice, Rinsed Well: The main carbohydrate, providing texture and substance.
- Andouille Sausage, Optional: Adds a smoky, spicy element.
- Diced Tomatoes: Adds acidity and depth of flavor.
- Sliced Green Onion, For Garnish If Desired: Adds freshness and a pop of color to the finished dish.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
📖 Substitutions & Variations
- Cajun Chicken and Rice with Cannellini Beans: Add a can of cannellini beans to the mix for extra protein and fiber.
- Instant Pot Cajun Shrimp and Rice: Swap chicken for shrimp in this seafood variation.
- Cajun Chicken And Brown Rice: Try using long-grain brown rice for a satisfying meal with added nutrition. Brown rice will need to be pressure-cooked for an extra 10 minutes.
🔪 How To Make Instant Pot Cajun Chicken and Rice?
Step One: In a small bowl, mix the Cajun seasoning, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Lightly sprinkle on both sides of the chicken, saving any extra seasoning. Set the electric pressure cooker to “sauté” and heat. Add olive oil and heat for 10 seconds. Sear the chicken until golden brown on both sides. Remove and keep warm.
Step Two: Add the chopped onion, bell pepper, and celery to the Instant Pot. Cook for about 6 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning. Add the garlic and cook for another minute until it is fragrant. Add the reserved Cajun seasoning to the vegetables and stir well.
Step Three: Add rice in an even layer over the vegetables. Pour in the chicken broth and give it a quick stir.
Step Four: Place the seared chicken on top of the rice and vegetable mixture. Secure the lid on the Instant Pot and set the valve to the sealing position. Select the “manual” or “pressure cook” mode and set the timer for 10 minutes.
Step Five: Once the cooking time is complete, allow the pressure to naturally release for 5 minutes. Then, carefully perform a quick release to release any remaining pressure.
Step Six: Remove the lid and fluff the rice with a fork. Serve the Instant Pot Cajun chicken and rice hot, garnished with chopped parsley if desired. Your flavorful Instant Pot Cajun Chicken and Rice is ready to be enjoyed!
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- Avoid Stirring: Once you add the rice, avoid stirring. Stirring can cause the rice to stick to the bottom and become mushy. Instead, gently press the rice down with a spoon to ensure it’s submerged in the liquid.
- Garnish for Freshness: Garnish with sliced green onions just before serving. This adds a fresh, crunchy texture and a burst of color to your Instant Pot Cajun chicken and rice cooked dish.
💭 FAQs
Top Cajun Chicken and Rice with green onions, shredded cheese, sour cream, fresh herbs, or a dash of hot sauce to let everyone customize their bowl just the way they love!
The main difference between dirty rice and Cajun rice is in the ingredients and flavor.
Dirty rice typically includes chopped chicken livers or gizzards, which give it a “dirty” look and rich, deep flavor. It’s also seasoned with the classic “holy trinity” of Cajun cooking—bell pepper, onion, and celery.
Cajun rice, on the other hand, is similar but usually doesn’t contain liver or gizzards and has a lighter flavor profile with a focus on Cajun seasonings like paprika, thyme, and cayenne. Both are delicious but bring their own unique twist to Southern-style rice dishes!
Store any leftover Instant Pot Cajun Chicken and Rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Transfer the chicken and rice to a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 2-3 months.
Defrost the Instant Pot Cajun chicken and rice in the refrigerator overnight.
🧂Serving Suggestions
There are my favorite sides to serve with Instant Pot Cajun Chicken and Rice:
- Naan Bread: Soft and fluffy Naan Bread is perfect for scooping up the rich and creamy sauce.
- Basmati Rice: Light and aromatic, Basmati Rice complements the flavors of the butter chicken beautifully.
- Cucumber Raita: A refreshing yogurt-based side dish that helps balance the spices.
- Steamed Vegetables: Simple steamed vegetables like broccoli, carrots, and peas add a healthy and colorful touch to your meal.
- Mango Chutney: A sweet and tangy Mango Chutney provides a delightful contrast to the savory butter chicken.
🍽 Related Recipes
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Instant Pot Cajun Chicken And Rice
Ingredients
- 1 to 2 pounds Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
- 2 teaspoons Cajun Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 Yellow Onion diced
- 1 Red Bell Pepper seeded and diced
- 1 Green Bell Pepper seeded and diced
- 2 Stalks Celery diced
- 3 cloves Garlic minced
- 2 cups Chicken Stock divided
- 1 ½ cups Long Grain White Rice rinsed well
- 12 Ounce Andouille Sausage Optional
- 1 Can Diced Tomatoes
- 1 Sliced Green Onion for garnish if desired
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix together the Cajun seasoning, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Lightly sprinkle the mixture on both sides of the chicken, reserving any remaining seasoning for later use.
- Set the electric pressure cooker to the “sauté” setting and allow it to heat until hot. Add the olive oil and let it heat for about 10 seconds. Place the chicken in the pot and sear until it is golden brown on both sides. Remove the chicken from the pot and keep it warm.
- Add the chopped onion, bell pepper, and celery to the Instant Pot. Cook for about 6 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning. Add the garlic and cook for another minute until it is fragrant.
- Add the reserved Cajun seasoning to the vegetables and stir well. Add rice in an even layer over the vegetables. Pour in the chicken broth and give it a quick stir.
- Place the seared chicken on top of the rice and vegetable mixture. Secure the lid on the Instant Pot and set the valve to the sealing position. Select the “manual” or “pressure cook” mode and set the timer for 10 minutes.
- Once the cooking time is complete, allow the pressure to naturally release for 5 minutes. Then, carefully perform a quick release to release any remaining pressure.
- Remove the lid and fluff the rice with a fork. Serve the Cajun Chicken and Rice hot, garnished with chopped parsley if desired. Your flavorful Instant Pot Cajun Chicken and Rice is ready to be enjoyed!
