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Cajun Chicken Rice Bowls

A vibrant and flavorful dish with marinated chicken, aromatic Cajun spices, and fluffy basmati rice, perfect for weeknight dinners or gatherings.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Southern
Calories: 600

Ingredients
  

For the Cajun Spice Mix
  • 1.5 teaspoons onion powder
  • 1.5 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1.5 teaspoons sweet paprika
  • 1.5 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1.5 teaspoons dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder adjust for spice preference
  • salt to taste
For the Chicken
  • 4 pieces chicken breasts halved horizontally
  • 3 teaspoons avocado oil for coating chicken
For the Rice
  • 1.5 cups washed basmati rice
  • 600 ml cold water
  • 1 finely diced brown onion
  • 3 cloves garlic grated
  • salt to taste
For the Cajun Mayo
  • 0.5 cup mayonnaise
  • 2.5 teaspoons Cajun spice mix from earlier

Method
 

Make the Cajun Spice Mix
  1. In a small bowl, combine 1 ½ teaspoons each of onion powder, garlic powder, sweet paprika, dried oregano, and dried thyme. Add 1 teaspoon of chili powder and a generous pinch of salt. Mix well and set aside.
Prepare the Chicken
  1. Halve the chicken breasts horizontally to create thinner fillets. Coat them with avocado oil and rub in 3 teaspoons of Cajun spice mix.
  2. Heat a large pan over medium-high heat and cook the chicken for about 4 minutes on each side until golden brown and fully cooked. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing.
Cook the Rice
  1. In a pot, add a bit of oil and warm it over medium heat. Sauté a diced brown onion until softened, then add 3 grated garlic cloves and the remaining Cajun spice mix. Cook for 30 more seconds.
  2. Add 300g of washed basmati rice and 600ml of cold water with a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat, cover, and cook for 12 minutes. Let it sit covered for another 4 minutes before fluffing with a fork.
Make the Cajun Mayo
  1. In a small bowl, mix ½ cup of mayonnaise with the remaining Cajun spice mix and taste for seasoning. Adjust with salt or lemon juice if necessary.
Assemble the Dish
  1. Serve the sliced Cajun chicken over a bed of fluffy Cajun rice and drizzle with the Cajun mayo.

Notes

For a richer flavor, marinate the chicken for a couple of hours or overnight. You can also add fresh chopped green onions or shredded lettuce for crunch.