Name: Easy Cajun Rice Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: Cajun
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 4 small sweet peppers or chilis, diced; 2 tablespoons tomato paste; 2 cups steamed white rice; 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning; 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice; 2 scallions (greens and white), chopped

Description

Easy Cajun Rice is a quick and flavorful side dish that complements any Cajun-inspired meal. With a perfect blend of spices, fresh peppers, and a hint of lemon juice, this rice dish can also be elevated into a hearty entrée by adding protein like sausage, shrimp, or chicken. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s a vibrant and tasty addition to your dinner table.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 small sweet peppers or chilis, diced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 cups steamed white rice
1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 scallions (greens and white), chopped

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Heat the oil and sauté peppers and garlic: Heat 2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil in a medium non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Add the diced sweet peppers and minced garlic, sautéing for 3 to 5 minutes until the peppers soften slightly and the garlic is fragrant.
Add tomato paste: Stir in 2 tablespoons of tomato paste and cook it, stirring constantly for about 2 minutes, allowing the tomato paste to warm through and combine with the peppers and garlic.
Combine rice and seasonings: Add 2 cups of steamed white rice, 1 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning, and 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice to the pan. Stir well and continue to heat until the rice is warmed through and evenly coated with the seasoning mixture.
Add scallions and serve: Mix in 2 chopped scallions, tossing them in thoroughly to combine with the rice. Serve the Cajun rice immediately as a side dish or base for proteins like sausage, shrimp, or chicken.

Notes

For extra protein, add cooked sausage, shrimp, or shredded chicken directly into the pan after heating the rice to make it a complete entrée.
You can adjust the heat by substituting sweet peppers with spicier chilis if you prefer a fiery kick.
Use day-old rice for best texture and to prevent it from becoming mushy during sautéing.
Cajun seasoning can be homemade or store-bought; check for sodium content if you are watching salt intake.
Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat nicely on the stovetop or microwave.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Side Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Cajun