Cajun Chicken Bowl (Print)

Flavor-packed Cajun chicken served over rice with black beans, corn, and bell peppers for a satisfying Southern-inspired meal ready in 45 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 1.1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
02 - 1.5 tbsp Cajun seasoning
03 - 1 tbsp olive oil
04 - 0.5 tsp salt
05 - 0.25 tsp black pepper

→ Rice

06 - 1 cup long-grain white rice
07 - 2 cups water
08 - 0.5 tsp salt

→ Vegetables and Beans

09 - 1 tbsp 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 thawed
14 - 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed

→ Garnishes

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

# Directions:

01 - Rinse rice under cold water. In a medium saucepan, combine rice, water, and salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes 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 5-7 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and let rest 2 minutes, then slice.
03 - In the same skillet, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add bell peppers and red onion. Sauté 4-5 minutes until softened. Stir in corn and black beans; cook 2 minutes until heated through. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
04 - Divide rice among 4 bowls. Top with sautéed vegetables and beans, then sliced chicken. Garnish with avocado slices, fresh cilantro, and lime wedges as desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 45 minutes, which means weeknight dinners actually happen without the stress.
  • The Cajun seasoning does heavy lifting so you're not fussing with a dozen spice jars.
  • Everything cooks in one skillet basically, keeping cleanup blessedly minimal.
02 -
  • Overcooking chicken is the fastest way to ruin this, so use a meat thermometer if you're nervous—165°F internal temp is your target.
  • Don't skip the rice resting step; that 5 minutes of covered time lets carryover cooking finish the job perfectly and steam redistributes moisture evenly.
03 -
  • Slice chicken against the grain once it cools slightly—this breaks up muscle fibers and makes each bite more tender than you'd expect.
  • If you're cooking for a crowd, assemble all components separately so people can build their own bowls with their favorite ratios.
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