Cajun Chicken Bowl (Printer-Friendly)

Vibrant bowl with seasoned chicken, fluffy rice, black beans, corn, and colorful peppers.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 1.1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
02 - 1½ tablespoons Cajun seasoning
03 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
04 - ½ teaspoon salt
05 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

→ Rice

06 - 1 cup long-grain white rice
07 - 2 cups water
08 - ½ teaspoon salt

→ Vegetables and Beans

09 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
10 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
11 - 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
12 - 1 small red onion, diced
13 - 1 cup sweet corn kernels, fresh, canned, or frozen
14 - 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed

→ Garnishes

15 - 1 avocado, sliced
16 - Fresh cilantro, chopped
17 - Lime wedges

# How To Make:

01 - Rinse rice under cold water. In a saucepan, combine rice, water, and salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until rice is tender and water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
02 - In a medium bowl, toss chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 5–7 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and let rest for 2 minutes, then slice.
03 - In the same skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add bell peppers and red onion. Sauté for 4–5 minutes until softened. Stir in corn and black beans; cook for 2 minutes until heated through. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
04 - Divide rice among 4 bowls. Top with sautéed vegetables and beans, then sliced chicken. Garnish with avocado, cilantro, and lime wedges if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 45 minutes, which means dinner on the table before hunger turns into irritability.
  • Every element cooks in one skillet plus a saucepan, so cleanup doesn't steal your evening.
  • The flavor profile feels restaurant-quality but costs a fraction of takeout.
02 -
  • Don't skip the resting period for the chicken, those 2 minutes allow the juices to redistribute so every bite stays tender instead of drying out on the plate.
  • The magic happens when you use the same skillet for both chicken and vegetables because the browned bits left behind add depth that you simply can't replicate starting fresh.
03 -
  • Keep your Cajun seasoning in an airtight container in a cool, dark place so it doesn't lose potency, homemade blends stay fresher than store-bought for about three months.
  • If you're cooking for a crowd, you can prep everything ahead and assemble the bowls right before serving, the rice and vegetables actually taste better when given time to cool slightly and let flavors meld.
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