Spicy Cajun Chicken With Coriander And Lime Rice Recipe

Spice up your weeknight dinner with a zesty cajun chicken that bursts with vibrant flavors and unexpected charm.

Every bite promises a thrilling culinary adventure packed with bold southwestern nuances.

Marinating the protein allows deep seasoning to penetrate each delectable morsel.

Louisiana-style spices create a robust profile that dances across your palate with energetic complexity.

Crisp coriander and bright lime in the accompanying rice provide a refreshing counterpoint to the intense chicken heat.

Fresh herbs scattered strategically will elevate this dish from ordinary to extraordinary.

Prepare to impress even the most discerning dinner companions with this simple yet spectacular meal.

Cajun Chicken and Lime Rice That’s Zesty and Filling

• Quick and Spicy Weeknight Winner: Whip up this Cajun chicken dish in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy home cooks craving bold flavors without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Healthy Protein Powerhouse: Packed with lean chicken, grilled vegetables, and fresh avocado, this recipe delivers a nutritious meal that keeps you satisfied and energized throughout the evening.
• Griddle Pan Magic: Transform simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality dish using just one pan, minimizing cleanup and maximizing delicious char-grilled textures and flavors.
• Customizable Flavor Adventure: Easily adjust the Cajun seasoning intensity to suit your spice preference, making this recipe adaptable for everyone from mild-loving to heat-seeking food enthusiasts.

Cajun Chicken with Coriander Lime Rice Ingredients

Main Ingredients:

• Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that takes on the bold Cajun seasoning, best when fresh and at room temperature.

• Rice: Fluffy base for the dish, long-grain white rice works perfectly for absorbing flavors.

• Bell Peppers, Onion: Colorful vegetables that add sweetness and char when grilled, provide great texture and nutrition.
• Avocado: Creamy topping that adds richness and healthy fats to balance the spicy chicken.

• Cajun Seasoning: Spicy blend that gives the chicken its signature bold flavor and heat.
• Coriander: Fresh herb that adds bright, citrusy notes to the rice.
• Lime Zest: Provides zesty, tangy brightness to enhance the rice's flavor profile.

• Olive Oil: Helps with grilling, adds subtle flavor, and prevents sticking.
• Water: Needed for cooking the rice to perfect tenderness.

Cajun Chicken Instructions with Coriander-Lime Rice

Step 1: Boil Rice to Fluffy Perfection

Heat water in a large pot until it reaches a rolling boil.

Drop rice into the bubbling water and let it simmer gently.

Cook until the grains become tender and soft, about 15 minutes.

Drain the rice using a fine-mesh strainer and set aside to cool slightly.

Step 2: Spice and Sear Chicken

Crank up a cast-iron griddle to high heat and lightly coat with olive oil.

Massage Cajun seasoning and olive oil into chicken breasts, ensuring every inch is well-covered.

Gently flatten the chicken for even cooking.

Slap the seasoned chicken onto the sizzling hot griddle.

Cook for 7-10 minutes, flipping once, until you see beautiful char marks and the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature.

Transfer the cooked chicken to a cutting board and let it rest.

Step 3: Char Vegetables to Perfection

Brush the remaining olive oil on the hot griddle.

Spread bell peppers and onion slices in a single layer.

Grill for 5-6 minutes, rotating occasionally, until the edges turn golden and vegetables become slightly tender.

Step 4: Zest Up the Rice

Fluff the rice with a fork, creating light and airy grains.

Mix in fresh chopped coriander and vibrant lime zest for an aromatic kick.

Step 5: Create a Colorful Plate

Divide the fragrant rice between serving bowls.

Slice the rested chicken into appetizing strips and arrange over the rice.

Crown the dish with charred vegetables and creamy avocado chunks.

Cajun Chicken Hacks with Citrusy Coriander-Lime Rice

• Use fresh Cajun seasoning for the most vibrant and bold taste profile, ensuring your spices aren't older than 6 months for maximum punch.
• Use a meat thermometer to guarantee the chicken reaches exactly 165°F/74°C, preventing overcooking while ensuring food safety and juicy meat.
• Preheat the cast-iron griddle thoroughly before adding chicken to create beautiful char marks and lock in delicious caramelized flavors.
• Let rice rest and steam for a few minutes after draining to achieve fluffy, separated grains that absorb herbs and lime zest perfectly.
• Cut bell peppers and onions into similar-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and consistent caramelization on the griddle pan.

Store Cajun Chicken with Coriander Rice

• Store leftover Cajun chicken and rice in an airtight container within two hours of cooking. Seal tightly to prevent moisture loss and maintain flavor freshness.
• Let the dish cool completely before refrigeration to prevent bacterial growth and moisture condensation.
• Keep the meal in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Separate chicken, rice, and vegetables to maintain individual textures and prevent sogginess.
• Warm chicken and vegetables in a skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, adding a splash of water to prevent drying. Microwave rice separately for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating.

Cajun Chicken with Coriander and Lime Rice Pairings

• Perfect Pairing Picks for Cajun Chicken
• Sip Zesty Margarita: Complement the spicy Cajun flavors with a tangy lime margarita that echoes the rice's citrus notes, cutting through the chicken's richness with its bright, refreshing profile.
• Match Crisp White Wine: Select a chilled sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio to balance the dish's heat, its acidic undertones harmonizing with the lime and coriander, while providing a cool counterpoint to the charred chicken.
• Serve Cool Cucumber Salad: Add a refreshing side of cucumber salad dressed in yogurt and mint, which offers a creamy, cooling contrast to the spicy Cajun seasoning and provides a light, hydrating complement to the grilled elements.
• Pour Craft Wheat Beer: Choose a light, citrusy wheat beer with subtle orange or lemon hints that will refresh the palate, mirroring the dish's zesty lime components and helping to moderate the chicken's spicy kick.

Cajun Chicken with Rice Modifications

• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace Cajun seasoning with a homemade gluten-free blend using paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Vegetarian Version: Swap chicken with grilled portobello mushrooms or firm tofu, marinated in Cajun spices and cooked using the same grilling technique for protein-rich alternative.
• Low-Carb Option: Substitute rice with cauliflower rice or quinoa, maintaining the same coriander and lime zest flavoring for a lighter, lower-carbohydrate meal.
• Vegan Transformation: Use plant-based chicken substitute or extra-firm tofu, paired with vegan Cajun seasoning and coconut oil for grilling, keeping the vibrant vegetable and herb components intact.

FAQs

• What is Cajun seasoning made of?

Cajun seasoning typically combines paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, salt, onion powder, cayenne pepper, dried oregano, and dried thyme, creating a spicy and flavorful blend that gives dishes a distinctive Southern Louisiana taste.

• Can I use a different pan if I don't have a cast-iron griddle?

Yes, you can use a regular grill pan, skillet, or outdoor grill. The key is to have a hot surface that creates nice char marks and seals in the chicken’s flavor. Just ensure the pan is preheated and lightly oiled.

• How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F/74°C. If you don’t have a thermometer, cut into the thickest part of the chicken – it should be white throughout with no pink areas and the juices should run clear.

• Is this recipe spicy?

The Cajun seasoning does provide a moderate heat level. If you’re sensitive to spice, you can reduce the amount of seasoning or choose a mild Cajun blend. For more heat, add extra cayenne pepper or use a spicier Cajun seasoning.

Cajun Chicken With Coriander And Lime Rice Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Spicy Cajun chicken dances with zesty coriander and lime rice, creating a bold culinary journey through Louisiana’s rich flavors. Passionate cooks will savor this mouthwatering dish that blends heat, freshness, and pure satisfaction.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Rice Ingredients:

• 150 g (3/4 cup) dried long-grain rice
• 1 small bunch coriander (cilantro), roughly torn
• 1 lime zest

Chicken Ingredients:

• 2 skinless chicken breasts
• 1 1/2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
• 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil

Vegetable Ingredients:

• 1/2 red bell pepper, deseeded and sliced
• 1/2 yellow bell pepper, deseeded and sliced
• 1/2 green bell pepper, deseeded and sliced
• 1 small brown onion, peeled and sliced

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare a pot of boiling water and gently introduce rice, allowing it to simmer until tender and soft. Carefully drain the rice through a fine-mesh strainer, letting it rest and cool slightly.
2. Ignite a cast-iron griddle to high temperature and lightly anoint with olive oil. Massage chicken breasts thoroughly with Cajun seasoning and olive oil, ensuring complete coverage. Gently flatten the meat to promote uniform cooking. Position chicken on the searing griddle, transforming once during 7-10 minutes of cooking until exterior develops a robust char and interior reaches safe temperature.
3. Utilize remaining olive oil on the griddle surface. Arrange bell peppers and onion slices in a uniform layer, allowing vegetables to caramelize and soften through occasional rotation during 5-6 minutes of grilling.
4. Transform rice’s texture by delicately separating grains with a fork. Integrate freshly chopped coriander and zesty lime essence, creating a vibrant and aromatic base.
5. Construct composed dishes by distributing seasoned rice into serving vessels. Artfully slice rested chicken and position atop rice. Garnish with charred vegetables and delicate avocado cubes, completing the culinary composition.

Notes

• Use a cast-iron griddle pan for the best caramelization and char marks on chicken and vegetables, enhancing the Cajun flavor profile.
• Pat chicken dry before seasoning to ensure the Cajun spices adhere perfectly and create a delicious crust during cooking.
• Allow chicken to rest after grilling to help redistribute juices, preventing dry meat and maintaining maximum tenderness.
• Adjust Cajun seasoning intensity by using more or less spice blend to accommodate different heat preferences without losing the authentic flavor.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Cajun

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 490
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 47 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg