Description
A flavorful and aromatic Cajun Rice recipe featuring a medley of bell peppers and classic Cajun spices, cooked in a rich chicken broth for a comforting Southern-inspired side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1/2 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
- 1/2 green bell pepper, seeded and diced
- 1/2 yellow onion, diced
Wet Ingredients
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter
- 3 1/4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
Spices and Seasonings
- 1 1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground thyme
- 1 teaspoon ground paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 bay leaf
Grains
- 1 1/2 cups long-grain white rice
Instructions
- Melt Butter and Sauté Vegetables: Heat the unsalted butter in a medium-sized saucepan over medium-high heat, taking care not to burn it. Once melted, add the diced red and green bell peppers along with the diced yellow onion. Stir to coat the vegetables in the butter and sauté for 5 to 7 minutes until they have softened and developed flavor.
- Add Broth and Spices: Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth and add the kosher salt, garlic powder, ground thyme, ground paprika, black pepper, and bay leaf to the saucepan. Bring this mixture to a boil to blend the flavors.
- Add Rice and Simmer: Stir in the long-grain white rice, then cover the saucepan with a lid. Reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer, ensuring the liquid cooks the rice evenly without boiling over.
- Cook Rice Thoroughly: Let the rice simmer for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed the liquid fully. This ensures the rice is cooked through and flavorful.
- Rest and Fluff Rice: After cooking, remove the saucepan from heat and keep it covered. Allow the rice to rest for 10 minutes to steam gently. Then, fluff the rice with a fork to separate the grains before serving.
Notes
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to better control the salt levels in the dish.
- Adjust spices to taste for a milder or spicier profile according to your preference.
- Allowing the rice to rest covered after cooking helps it finish steaming and improves texture.
- If preferred, substitute long-grain white rice with brown rice but increase cooking time accordingly.
- Remove the bay leaf before serving to avoid an overpowering flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun
Keywords: Cajun rice, Cajun side dish, bell pepper rice, seasoned rice, Southern cooking
