Description
This Cajun Chicken with Coriander and Lime Rice is a flavorful, vibrant dish that brings the heat and spice of Cajun seasoning together with the refreshing zest of lime and fresh coriander. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, this dish is balanced, aromatic, and packed with bold flavors. Serve it with a side of fresh veggies for a complete meal!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cajun Chicken:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional for extra depth)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Coriander and Lime Rice:
- 1 cup basmati rice (or long-grain white rice)
- 2 cups water or chicken broth
- Zest and juice of 1 lime
- 1/4 cup fresh coriander (cilantro), chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Rice:
- Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed rice and water (or chicken broth) and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and let the rice simmer for about 15-18 minutes, or until the rice is tender and all the liquid has been absorbed.
- Remove the pan from heat, and let the rice sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork.
- Prepare the Cajun Chicken:
- While the rice cooks, season the chicken breasts on both sides with Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika (if using), garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken breasts and cook for 5-6 minutes per side, or until the chicken is golden brown on the outside and fully cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F or 74°C).
- Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing it into strips.
- Finish the Rice:
- Once the rice is cooked and fluffed, stir in the lime zest, lime juice, fresh coriander, and olive oil. Season with salt to taste. Mix well to combine.
- Serve:
- Serve the sliced Cajun chicken over a bed of the coriander and lime rice. Garnish with extra fresh coriander and lime wedges if desired.
Notes
- You can adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning based on how spicy you prefer your dish.
- For extra flavor, you can marinate the chicken in Cajun seasoning and a bit of olive oil for 30 minutes to an hour before cooking.
- This dish pairs well with a fresh green salad or roasted vegetables on the side.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish, Chicken, Rice
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Cajun, Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (based on 2 servings)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 75mg